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American Press
2 hours ago
- Politics
- American Press
Message of hope, resilience, change as Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana leaders take oaths
Tribal Court Judge Daniel Stretcher administers the oath of office to David Sickey, the new chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, during an inauguration ceremony Wednesday as his wife, Kelly, mother, Ena Mae, and children look on. (Doris Maricle / American Press) Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana leaders delivered inspiring messages of hope, resilience, and change during Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony, drawing strength from the tribe's rich history as they look to the future. Chairman David Sickey was officially sworn in by Tribal Court Judge Daniel Stretcher, alongside tribal council members Kristian Poncho and Stuart John. This is Poncho's second term, while John is beginning his first. Sickey, who previously served as chairman from 2017 to 2021 and whose father and brother also held the position, succeeds acting chairman Crystal Williams. In his augural address, Sickey acknowledged the peaceful transition of leadership underscores the strength of the Coushatta Tribe's democratic principles and the collective wisdom of its people in charting their future. He emphasized that the inaugural marks not only the beginning of his tenure but also the continuation of a journey initiated months ago, focused on listening, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the tribe's future. Sickey stressed the importance of honoring the elders and past leaders who have tirelessly worked to safeguard the Coushatta people, their language and their culture through difficult times. He noted that his campaign was built upon the voices of the tribal members gathered through surveys, door-to-door outreach, conversations, personal meetings, and community gatherings. He stated that the community expressed their desire for transparency, accountability, and consistent opportunities to be heard, not just during elections but on an ongoing basis. Moving forward, Sickey announced the immediate implementation of a collaborative governance model that includes quarterly community meetings and tribal advisory committees. He also plans to enhance communication and feedback channels to ensure continuous dialog with all tribal members. In addition, he announced plans to expand the casino resort and diversify the economy beyond gaming, aiming to generate new opportunities and enhance financial stability for the tribe. Sickey also committed to strengthening cultural preservation initiatives, particularly language revitalization programs, and to improving health and wellness programs, and educational opportunities for tribal members. 'I believe the Coushatta Tribe can become a model, not just for indigenous communities across the nation, but for the entire world,' he said. 'At a time when division seems to dominate headlines, we have the chance to demonstrate what is possible when people come together around shared values and common purpose. When we work together to balance respect for tradition with smart innovation, when we ensure every voice is heard and every person is valued, we create something truly remarkable. We show the world that our tribal unity isn't just an ideal, it's a practical approach to solving complex challenges and creating better solutions.' He encouraged every tribal member to contribute their knowledge, skills, and perspectives to strengthen the Tribe and ensure its success, building upon the wisdom of elders, the energy of the youth, and the dedication of the entire community. He also challenged everyone to actively participate in shaping the future through their involvement, ideas, and commitment to their shared success. '…We stand at a pivotal moment in our tribal history,' Sickey said. 'The choices we make together in the coming months and years will determine the kind of community we leave for our children and grandchildren. I believe that together, we can create something beautiful, a tribe that honors its past.' In taking his oath, John expressed his humility for the support he received during his campaign for tribal council and stressed the importance of moving forward together. 'Now the hard work really begins, because I have been given this duty, honor, and responsibility for representing the Coushatta Tribe and our tribal membership in a positive and ethical manner,' he said. 'I do not take this position and responsibility lightly,' He continued, 'As candidates, we ran on platforms such as accountability, transparency, economic development and improving our communication, not only amongst ourselves council members, but to the membership as a whole. Today is the day that we start acting on these issues and give the members what they demand from us as a council.' John expressed his gratitude to his Creator and the tribal membership for the opportunity to serve as a tribal council member. During his speech, Poncho reflected on the challenges, obstacles and progress of the past four years. He emphasized the importance of drawing inspiration from the tribe's history to guide future endeavors. 'It's easy to let a fraction of negativity drown out an abundance of positives,' he said. 'We owe it to ourselves to look ahead and fight for what's good for the tribe.' 'As I've said throughout this campaign, we all look to a better future,' he continued. 'We all hope for a better tomorrow, but no one's just going to give it to us. We have to go and take it. That was my commitment to you, my tribe, four years ago, and that's my commitment to you today.' Poncho urged the tribe to remember their origins, including the struggles, sacrifices, and determination that ensured their survival and progress. 'I firmly believe the actions we take as a tribal leadership should be rooted in honor for those who walked before us and paved our current path,' he said. 'Our people's many journeys ended here on Bayou Blue about a century ago. ' He recounted the tribe's journey from Tennessee south to Alabama before migrating to Louisiana and Texas, initially settling in Indian Village before their final location just north of Elton. 'This journey was wrought with hardship and uncertainty. The decisions that made us move were for the good of the community. The survival of us as a people was enforced with the will to do better. They were marked by unimaginable struggles, but we survived. Through all of it, we endured conditions that are hard to grasp – hostile terrorizes and hostile people.' Poncho recalled stories from elders during the campaign about the severe poverty, dirt roads, dirt floors, and inadequate shelter they faced just two generations ago. 'I've grown up hearing stories of just how poor things were, how hard our community struggled,' he said. 'The lack of support and the lack of dignity offered by no one, but our own people.' 'Just as we overcame every other hardship, we rose above those too and here we stand today with so much to give thanks for and so much potential. Yet, we can't lost sight of where things were just a short time ago. The sacrifices our ancestors survived, the conditions our people were living in, conditions many elders in this room remember, cannot be forgotten. It must ground us as tribal leaders and cause us to remember all that we do is for you, the tribal member. Our responsibility is to lead as those before us did – putting our community first, ensuring that we as a nation flourish, but most importantly that we care for our own people with dignity, opportunity and hope. Poncho pledged his dedication to the tribe's betterment, aiming to honor their ancestor's dreams.
American Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- American Press
PHOTO GALLERY: Camp Coushatta
1/5 Swipe or click to see more Matthew Buffalohead of Ponca City, OK sings and plays the drums as Kaeyn Arnaud, 14, of Kinder looks on Tuesday while visiting Camp Coushatta, just north of Elton. The single-day camp offers a unique, hands-on experience for the whole family as the traditions, customs and culture of the Coushatta Tribe are shared by Coushatta youth. The camp is open free to the public 9 a.m.-noon every Tuesday and Thursday through June 25. (Doris Maricle / American Press) 2/5 Swipe or click to see more Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana member Raven Langley helps Victoria Gonsalves, 11, of Kinder and Roma Santiago, 11, of California make Indian fry bread for visitors Tuesday at Camp Coushatta, just north of Elton. Visitors can experience all the different stations demonstrated by Coushatta youth including tomahawk throw, archery, nature station, toys and games, drum making, herbs and medicine, storytelling, tribal dances and more. The camp is open free to the public 9 a.m.-noon every Tuesday and Thursday through June 25. (Doris Maricle / American Press) 3/5 Swipe or click to see more Sisters Hadleigh,10, and Kaylee Battise, 11, of Texas discuss the importance of basket making to early Native Americans on Tuesday during Camp Coushatta, just north of Elton. The baskets were primarily used for storing food, collecting materials and trading. Today the baskets have become a collector's item. The camp is open free to the public 9 a.m.-noon every Tuesday and Thursday through June 25. (Doris Maricle / American Press) 4/5 Swipe or click to see more Randell Easley, 12, of Elton demonstrates an early drill used by Native Americans on Tuesday during Camp Coushatta, just north of Elton. Early weapons and tools were made from raw materials including wood, stone, bones and antlers. The camp is open free to the public 9 a.m.-noon every Tuesday and Thursday through June 25. (Doris Maricle / American Press) 5/5 Swipe or click to see more Kynzleigh Myers, 14, and Aubrey Robinson, 13, both of Elton, demonstrate how early Native Americans used herbs and other medicines to heal the body and protect against bad spirits. The herbs and medicine station is among several educational and hands-on stations as part Camp Coushatta which continues 9 a.m.-noon every Tuesday and Thursday through June 25. (Doris Maricle / American Press) Visitors can experience stations demonstrated by Coushatta youth— including tomahawk throw, archery, nature station, toys and games, drum making, herbs and medicine, storytelling, tribal dances and more — 9 a.m.-noon each Tuesday and Thursday through June 25.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to let parishes vote on carbon sequestration fails in Louisiana Legislature House Committee
BATON ROUGE — A bill that would have let parishes vote on whether to have carbon sequestration wells in their areas failed in a 6-10 vote Tuesday in a state House committee. The meeting of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment was packed as the committee heard several bills on carbon capture sequestration. Carbon capture is a method used to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. After the CO2 is captured, it can be stored deep underground in a carbon injection well. This is called geologic sequestration, and about 30 such projects have been proposed in the state. Most of the day was spent on House Bill 4, which sought to give parish governments authority over whether a carbon injection well is permitted within a parish. Rep. Charles Owen, a Republican who represents Beauregard and Vernon parishes, sponsored the bill. It would have let each of the 64 parishes decide whether to allow the projects within its borders. Currently, the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources has the power to permit carbon wells in the state. Owen prefaced his presentation with a message: He has no desire to kill carbon capture, only to give parishes and residents a say in the process. 'I want our citizens to have a voice,' Owen said. Many Louisiana citizens made their voices heard in the committee room, sharing personal stories, concerns and pleas. Members of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana spoke in favor of the bill. Linda Langley told the committee she was against a potential injection well site that many Coushatta members did not know was being built near their reservation in Allen Parish. 'Every person's voice matters equally,' Langley said. 'We didn't know about it, we weren't told about it.' Langley said she only recently learned about the site when she received a phone call asking her to testify in favor of House Bill 4. Several people, including Langley, expressed concern over how these carbon wells and pipelines would impact children and future generations. Avery Williams, a 16-year-old student from Grant, Louisiana, testified about how she lives directly next to an injection well and CO2 pipeline. Williams said she was given an assignment in school to research carbon capture and learned how dangerous it can be. 'I can't vote, but I do have a voice,' Williams said. 'As young people who can't choose what gets built in our backyards, we can't stop a pipeline with a ballot, but you can.' Williams received a round of applause. Industry proponents spoke in opposition to the bill, saying it would have made the approval process more difficult and would have made Louisiana less attractive for businesses. Carbon capture allows for the use of a cheap natural gas in a way that is better for the environment than alternatives. Louisiana is uniquely suited for this process, making the state appealing to outside businesses. 'While respecting the need for local authority and choice, the reality is that [this bill] will bottleneck the process,' said Michael Hecht, president and chief executive of Greater New Orleans Inc. Hecht warned that adding another layer of red tape might not kill Louisiana industry but would harm it. 'We've got to get Louisiana growing again,' Hecht said. Several other bills involving carbon sequestration also failed in the committee. They would have limited the use of eminent domain to acquire property for the wells and increased safety requirements and the potential for people injured in accidents to attach liens on the properties to help collect damages. Another bill that failed, in a 5-8 vote, would have placed a moratorium on these types of projects until July 1, 2026. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana House Committee kills bill to let parishes vote on carbon wells
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Coushatta Tribe to Celebrate Topping Out Ceremony for New Hotel Expansion
'Ultimately, this expansion means more jobs for our people, more reasons for guests to return, and more ways we can continue to share our culture and hospitality.' — Crystal Williams, Interim Chairwoman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana KINDER, LA, UNITED STATES, April 7, 2025 / / -- The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana will host a Topping Out Ceremony for its new hotel expansion at 11am on Thursday, April 10, at the Coushatta Casino Resort construction site. The ceremony marks a major milestone in the project - the placement of the final steel beam atop the resort's newest hotel. Members of the Coushatta Tribal Council, Coushatta Casino Resort General Manager Todd Stewart, and project partners from TBE Architects, Yates Construction, and the Wenaha Group will be in attendance. Before the beam is lifted, it will be lowered to ground level for signing by construction workers, project leaders, Coushatta associates, dignitaries, and Tribal members. A celebratory cake-cutting will follow. The public is invited to attend. 'This is a meaningful milestone for our Tribe and our resort,' said Crystal Williams, Interim Chairwoman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. 'The final beam leaves a lasting symbolic mark on the structure, representing the teamwork and commitment of everyone involved. Ultimately, this expansion means more jobs for our people, more reasons for guests to return, and more ways we can continue to share our culture and hospitality.' The new eight-story hotel will feature 204 luxury guest rooms and will be directly connected to the existing resort, located just steps from the casino floor. Once completed, the expansion will bring the total number of guest rooms at Coushatta Casino Resort to more than 1,000, creating new hospitality jobs for the surrounding communities. Coushatta Casino Resort is Louisiana's largest casino resort. The resort features three hotels, thousands of slots and table games, Bingo, a sportsbook, and the #1 golf course in the state. Coushatta is located in Kinder, Louisiana, on US Highway 165 (I-10 Exit 44). For more information, call 1-800-584-7263 or visit Nate Tanner X Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
