The Pointe-Au-Chien Indian Tribal Community is located in lower Pointe-Au-Chien, a traditional village of their ancestors, the Chitimacha.  The Pointe-Au-Chien Indians are also believed to be decendants of the Acolapissa, Atakapas, and Biloxi Indians.  The Tribe has approximately 680 members.

     Historically, Pointe-Au-Chien ancestors were farmers, fishermen, and hunters.  In fact, one of the Tribe's prominent leaders, Alexander Billiot (known as "the Chief of the Chitimachas" among his fellow tribesmen), had a lucrative sugarcane farm.  Unfortunately, the ability to farm today is impaired because of salt-water intrusion.  Pointe-Au-Chien Indians continue to live off of the land and water by hunting alligators, fishing, and catching shrimp, crabs and oysters.

     Because of policies in place by the State of Louisiana and United States government, Indians from Pointe-Au-Chien were prohibited from attending high school until the late 1960's and early 1970's.  These policies have had a direct impact on the ability of tribal members and the Tribe to advance in areas of education, economics, and healthcare.  The Tribe is seeking to reverse these past policies by obtaining state and federal recognition to provide services to assist its people.

     Kinship relations have traditionally governed the Pointe-Au-Chien Indian Community.  In 1993, the Tribe adopted a Constitution and filed its Articles of Incorporation with the Louisiana Secretary of State.  In 1996, the Tribe submitted a petition for federal acknowledgment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  The tribe is currently preparing documentation to support its petition.  The cost of preparing a petition is expensive and has cost tribes anywhere from $500,000 to $9,000,000 to prepare a petition.  Because of the petition, the Tribe formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) to become eligible for donations, grants, and other assistance in documenting its history, culture, and traditions and in preparing other petition criteria.

     With the adoption of a Constitution, the Tribe formalized its governing body through elections by the tribal membership.  The Tribe is governed by the Tribal Council and Council of Elders.  (See Council Member page for our current Tribal Council Members.)