The Office of Indian Affairs seeks to enhance the individual and collective communities of indigenous people in Louisiana by serving as a resource and referral agent for Louisiana Native Americans and tribes seeking assistance navigating local, state, and national policies. One of the Office of Indian Affairs' main duties is to be responsible for identifying the needs and solutions to seven areas of focus: economic development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, workforce development, broadband, and disaster response and recovery. The office focuses on program initiatives to address these ongoing issues while, in the same breath, promoting awareness of our tribal communities in this state and its unique culture. The Office of Indian Affairs also serves as a pass through to provide funding to various local entities in Avoyelles Parish for infrastructure and awards scholarships to Native American students.

Click here for a full list of Louisiana's federally and state recognized tribes. 

Office of Indian Affairs Native American Commission 

The commission’s purpose is to advise the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs regarding issues pertaining to Native Americans, identify the needs and concerns of the Native Americans in Louisiana, establish criteria for state tribe recognition and recommend criteria to the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs and the legislature for adoption and implementation, review applications for the Office of Indian Affairs Scholarship and recommend scholarship awardees to the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, promote Native American culture, awareness, and education across the state, promote Native American Heritage Month in Louisiana and conduct a comprehensive review of all state departments and agencies to identify obstacles to the effective delivery of governmental services by all service providers at all levels of government to Native Americans, propose methods for removing those obstacles, and submit such proposals to the appropriate governmental entity or entities.

2022-2024 Native American Commission Officers:
Chairman: Chairman Thomas Rivers, Choctaw-Apache Trube of Ebarb

Vice Chairman: Chief Devon Parfait, Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi Chitimacha Choctaw

Secretary: Debbie Garrett, Adai Caddo Indians of Louisiana

 

Office of Indian Affairs Scholarship

The 2025 Scholarship is now open! Click Here to apply.

With assistance from the Louisiana Indian Educational Association, the Office of Indian Affairs annually provides awards to Native American students from Louisiana tribes to attend a college or higher education institution of their choice. The awards are funded through proceeds received from the renewal and sale of special prestige license plates for motor vehicles representing Native American culture in accordance with RS 47:463:78. Recipients are selected based on academic and financial need. 

Click here for additional information on how to obtain the American Indian special plate. 

Constituent Services

The Office of Indian Affairs serves as a resource for individual constituent and agency inquiries regarding a myriad of issues facing Louisiana Native Americans including sovereignty of federal tribes, connecting state agencies, federal agencies and individuals with tribes, custody issues relating to Native American children, as well as directing Native Americans to appropriate state agencies as needed.

 

Regional Map 

 

Region 3:

  • Bayou Lafourche Band – Lafourche Parish
  • Chitimacha Tribe – St. Mary Parish
  • Grand Caillou/Dulac Band – Terrebonne Parish
  • Jean Charles Choctaw Nation – Terrebonne Parish
  • Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe – Terrebonne Parish
  • United Houma Nation – Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard. Parishes

Region 5:

  • Coushatta Tribe – Jefferson Davis Parish
  • Four Winds Cherokee – Allen Parish

Region 6:

  • Clifton Choctaw – Rapides & Vernon Parishes
  • Louisiana Band of Choctaw- Concordia Parish
  • Jena Band of Choctaw – La Salle Parish
  • Tunica-Biloxi Tribe – Avoyelles Parish

Region 7:

  • Addai Caddo – Natchitoches Parish
  • Choctaw-Apache – Sabine Parish
  • Natchitoches Tribe – Natchitoches Parish

Resources 

Health Resources

The Louisiana Department of Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Indian Health Service
National Resource Center on Native American Aging 
Association of American Indian Physicians

Housing

FEMA Assistance
Housing and Urban Development
Louisiana Housing Corporation
Office of Community Development

Education Resources

Louisiana Department of Education 
Louisiana Board of Regents 
Louisiana Association Of Independent Colleges & Universities 
Financial Aid for Native American Students 
American Indian College Fund 
National Indian Education Association 
American Indian Graduate Center 
U.S. Dept. of Education American Indian Services
Nursing Scholarships for First Generation College Students 

Employment Resources

Louisiana Workforce Commission 
Louisiana Department of State Civil Service Job Seekers  

Homelessness Resource

Louisiana is supported by seven Continuums of Care (CoCs), which collaboratively coordinate services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit https://laboscoc.org/housing-and-services to access information on connecting with local resources through the Coordinated Entry system.

Louisiana 988: Help & Hope are Here

 

            

Louisiana 988 is a free and confidential helpline offering immediate emotional support to anyone in need. Whether you are feeling stress, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, or need someone to talk to, 988 is here to help 24/7. If you or someone you know needs emotional support, please reach out for help. To talk to a 988 specialist, call or text 988 or chat at Louisiana988.org 

 

Please visit Louisiana988.orgto learn moreand access Louisiana 988 resources. Click on Media Resources at the bottom of the page for brand logos, Zoom backgrounds, campaign ads, FAQs and 988 fact sheets; Partner Resources for a 988 materials generator; orWhat to Expect to see a video of testimonials from 988 helpline specialists. 

 

Learn more about Louisiana 988 and mental health in Louisiana at ldh.la.gov/988. 

 

Contact

 

Phone:

225-342-6160

Address: 

Office of the Governor
Louisiana State Capitol
900 N. Third St. 
Baton Rouge, LA 70804