Native Americans in Louisiana

This 1892 image shows members of a mound-building tribe working in their corn fields.

Library of Congress

Many indigenous cultures existed in the Louisiana territory when Europeans colonizers arrived. Native American tribes, with of thousands of people, had been living there for over 10,000 years. Louisiana has many examples of the great accomplishments of Native Americans.

Poverty Point National Monument is one example of a great and ancient society. Poverty Point preserves the remains of a community that was part of a large trade network. The construction of the site shows impressive engineering skills. The Poverty Point community reached its peak 1,000 years before Rome.

In Barataria Preserve, shell middens and mounds show where people once lived in camps and villages. Indigenous people built mounds as burial and ceremonial structures. Mound-building societies lived throughout North and South America. These practices can be traced back as early as 4,500 BCE.

Native Americans left a clear record of their history in the archeology of Louisiana. Their descendants continue these great impacts today. European colonizers made the first known written records about Native Americans in the southeast. For example, Hernando de Soto's expedition force described villages along the Mississippi River.

European colonization began in earnest in the 1700s. Historians estimate that tens of thousands of people already lived in Louisiana at the time. Research shows the first residents of Louisiana speaking at least 22 distinct languages. Unfortunately, the bias and perspective of the European colonist missed many things. A great deal of colonizer records on Native tribes are bias and often condescending.

As European colonization continued, indigenous populations in Louisiana experienced major declines. Decline was caused by many factors such as

• New diseases

• War

• Government-forced migration and displacement

• Colonists' demand for more land and resources

Despite these challenges, many aspects of indigenous cultures and practices still flourish today.

Native peoples' knowledge of the region helped many European, Asian, and African colonies succeed. Native Americans shared their information with colonists. Use of medicinal plants, seasonal flood patterns, seafood harvesting, farming and construction suited to the area helped many colonies. Today, there are four Federally recognized Tribes in Louisiana.

1. The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians

2. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

3. The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana

4. The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana

Additionally, there are 11 State recognized Tribes. We thank and celebrate the indigenous cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of Louisiana.

 

Links for Learning

• History & Culture
• Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

More Information and Resources on Native Americans in Louisiana.

Native American tribes are always the best source for learning about tribal history and culture.Today, the National Park Service aims to work alongside Native Tribes to preserve, share, and honor the full history of this great land.