The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana stepped into the spotlight at Washington Mardi Gras as Chairwoman Melissa Darden and Councilman Schuylar “Skylar” Hebert joined the conversation to highlight the tribe’s history, growth, and current priorities. The tribe, based in St. Mary Parish on its aboriginal homeland, is Louisiana’s only federally recognized tribe located on its original lands.
Darden explained that the Chitimacha community continues to expand its services and strengthen its identity. The tribe operates the first land-based casino in Louisiana, a tribal court system, and a tribally owned school that serves 132 students from pre-K through eighth grade. After eighth grade, students attend nearby public or private schools. She emphasized that many tribal resources also support surrounding residents, such as the on-site clinic, which accepts all patients, and a recreation department that offers sports programs for tribal and non-tribal youth.
Hebert, serving his first term on the Tribal Council, discussed the importance of collaboration with nearby parishes and state partners. He noted that the Tribal Council acts as the tribe’s lawmaking body and manages its own codes and court system. Their sovereignty allows unique distinctions, such as exemption from certain state licensing requirements and property taxes on tribal land…