Rêve Lends A Helping Hand To Our Neighbors In The Bayou

by Deveney Marshall

Following the destruction of Hurricane Ida, we knew we wanted to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in the River Parishes. There was one particular group of persons whose story touched us the most, the Pointe-au-Chien Native American Tribe. The Pointe-au-Chien Native American Reserve is located in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, 40 miles southwest of New Orleans. Many of the residents in this area enjoy a simple way of life and make a living as fishermen, crabbers, and shrimpers. They rely on the bayou to sustain their livelihoods and have built a community on the principles of faith and fellowship.

The drive to Pointe-au-Chien from New Orleans is 40 miles of mostly two-lane highways. The hour and a half drive continuously opened our eyes to the destruction Ida left our neighbors in the lower river parishes. Upon arrival, tribal member Theresa Dardar informed us that out of 80 homes in her community, only 12 were habitable and most tribal members hadn’t yet traveled back to the reservation to assess the damage. Roofs had been ripped off during the storm and still insurance adjusters were spread too thin to give reports of the damage. Boats were sinking in the bayou and still, the community didn’t have running water. Debris lined the streets making room for utility trucks and still the community doesn’t have power. This was an important message to us as New Orleanians that it’s our responsibility to look beyond our levees once we are back on our feet.

Our day was spent hauling belongings and pieces of walls from Earl’s home to the street for pickup. We carried down decades of drenched memories from Miss B’s raised home whose roof has been ripped off during the storm. We cleared debris from “Uncle Jake’s” house and Nolaria’s house. Amidst the devastation, we saw smiles and gratitude and spirits that were high.

“My family is here, my work is here, and there’s not a hurricane that can come that will make us leave. We have gone through this before, and we have rebuilt every time. We’ve been here for centuries, that’s not going to change.” Says tribal member, Earl. We carry this reminder of resiliency without us and are inspired to continue our volunteer work in Pointe-au-Chien.

Rêve | Realtors and Eustis Mortgage are organizing another volunteer day in Pointe-au-Chien. Whether you join our efforts or create your own, we encourage everyone in our community who can to help our bayou parishes recover from Hurricane Ida. These are the people who supply our seafood and carry our south Louisiana traditions. They’re the people who make South Louisiana the best place to live.