NCAI Coordinating Hurricane Relief Fund for Tribes in Gulf Region
Adam McMullin
September 1st 2005
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CONTACT: Adam McMullin, amcmullin@ncai.org or 202-721-1386
WASHINGTON-September 1, 2005-As our brothers and sisters in southern
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama deal with the aftermath of one of the worst
natural disasters to ever strike the U.S., NCAI offers it prayers of support
to the tribes and people of the region.
"Out thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Indian Nations
located in the region effected by Hurricane Katrina," said NCAI President
Tex G. Hall. "It is times like this when it is important for Native people
to come together to help one another out."
NCAI has attempted to contact tribes that were in or near the path
of Hurricane Katrina and has had success with some yet unable to reach others.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana sustained some wind and rain
damage but the tribe's members that live in Slidell, La. felt the brunt of
the storm, according to the tribal chairman's office. Tribal members living
in that area lost everything-homes were completely destroyed, but fortunately
there has been no loss of life reported among tribal members as most of them
appear to have made it into shelters. The tribe has become a refuge for some
trying to escape the aftermath of the storm as its Mari Center, which houses
the tribe's Paragon Casino, has become a Red Cross shelter which now houses
nearly 600 refugees.
Reached via phone, the Poarch Creek Indians of southern Alabama say
they only sustained minor wind damage with no major damage on the reservation
and the community does have power. The storm's effect on tribal membership
in other areas is the main concern, according to Poarch Creek Management Director
April Sells.
"No United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) were directly hit by Katrina
but tribal members living elsewhere were hit hard," said Sell. "We are currently
loading up clothing, food, water and food for those with diabetes to take
to the Chitamacha Band of Poarch Creek Indians in Louisiana where a shelter
has been set up."
According to Sells, a future concern is the number of tribal members
who are expected to return to the reservation as refugees.
"We're setting up a shelter for our members who are coming back to
the reservation because they now have no home and no place to go," she said.
"We've recently purchased a church that will become a temporary shelter and
we will need food, shower systems and portable toilets."
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are still unreachable by phone,
however news reports indicate power outages on the reservation with evacuees
seeking shelter at the tribe's hotels and reports.
NCAI encourages tribes who wish aid the tribes affected by Hurricane
Katrina to send donations to:
NCAI
1301 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 200
Washington, DC
20036
Please put Hurricane Relief in subject line of check. All donations
will go directly to tribes in the affected region of Louisiana, Mississippi
and Alabama. NCAI is gathering information on the areas of greatest need
which will benefit the tribes who are dealing with refugee and disaster relief
for both their members and others and will soon have an answer as to exactly
where we will be sending the funds. We are also coordinating our efforts
with the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and will send out further
information.