Red Shoe's People
The Government of the Sovereign Nation of the
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana When official recognition of the Coushatta Tribe was granted in 1973, the Coushatta Alliance systematically laid foundations for a progressive tribal government structure, A Constitution and Bylaws were developed, and an ordinance establishing election rules and procedures was approved. The Constitution provides for a popularly elected tribal chairman and a five member tribal council to administer tribal affairs. Even with an efficient management system for tribal government in place, the Coushatta people are concerned that federal recognition may impose
over dependence on services provided by or through federal programs. Currently, the Tribe depends on development of its land base, expansion of its retail complex and its varied aqua culture projects to focus aims of the Tribe and individual tribal members. The original 35 acres of land acquired upon recognition of the Coushatta Tribe has been increased to 154 acres and is used for Coushatta - constructed tribal housing. rice and crawfish farming and development of the new cattle raising program. The Coushatta Administration Building, the Community, Health and Learning Centers as well as the Tribal Police Department are also built on trust land. The development of the land base has encouraged the movement toward tribal self-sufficiency and has led individual tribal members to participate in the general economy of the area. During the development process several programs designed to address the immediate needs of the Coushatta people were put into operation. Among these were a Housing Improvement program to repair and construct tribal homes and a Youth Conservation Corps project accomplishing the same end. An Environmental Health Services program provides improvements to such public works facilities as water and sewer. An Economic Development Administration grant made possible the renovation of the Coushatta Indian Cultural Center, where arts and crafts were originally sold. A Housing and Urban Development grant provided funds for construction of a community facility on the trust land. Funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs made possible the development of a land use plan for the reservation land. Social service programs included provision of health outreach services, contract medical care and mental health counseling. Programs aimed at strengthening the tribal government included continued support from the Office of Native American Programs - matched by Bureau of Indian Affairs funds - that helped the development of the tribal government; a Health Programs Coordination project funded by the Indian Health Service; and a Bicentennial project designed to increase the amount of information available on the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. With re-recognition by the federal government, and the elected form of
tribal government firmly and successfully in place, the Coushatta Tribe has faced one of the greatest challenges in its history. The development of a truly representative tribal government dedicated to the principle of
Coushatta self-determination was and still is the Tribe's number one priority. ©Copyright
2006,
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. All Rights Reserved. Not to be copied, reprinted, reproduced, etc. without permission.
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