Reznet

Hurrican Ike Relief

After the Hurricanes: Relief and Recovery

September 19, 2008

By Victor Merina

Email
Print

RACELAND, La.—These photos show victims of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in the Louisiana bayou picking up supplies at the Houma Relief Center. In one photo, the man wearing the constable's baseball hat is Albert Naquin, chief of the Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha. In the photo showing a U.S. Army officer sitting with a group of men—they're attending a meeting of relief officials with tribal leaders and members—the man in a maroon T-shirt pictured second from left is Randy Verdun, chief of the Bayou Lafourche Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha.

Victor Merina is reznet's senior correspondent and special projects editor. A former Los Angeles Times investigative reporter and finalist for the Pulitizer Prize, he also is a senior fellow at the USC Annenberg Institute for Justice and Journalism. Merina is a visiting faculty member at The Poynter Institute, where he leads seminars on cross-cultural reporting and writing about race.

Most Popular
Most Discussed

Most views in the last week:

Native Group Asks for $5.4 Billion
In what some will undoubtedly see as a shameless attempt to secure the health and welfare of the 2.4 million Indians living in the U.S., the National Congress of American Indians is asking president-elect Barack Obama for a fraction of the $775 billion economic stimulus package he is proposing.
Logo of Chief Restored for Inauguration
Public protest has reversed a decision to cover up or remove an Indian head logo from a Michigan high school marching band heading to the presidential inaugural parade.
570 Jobs Gone at Choctaw Resort
Citing a weak economy that has significantly affected gaming facilities nationwide, Pearl River Resort on Monday announced that 570 staff positions will be eliminated and its Golden Moon Hotel and Casino now will operate only on weekends instead of seven days a week.
Why Indian Country Is Cheering Tonight
Yes, it's the night of the last state primaries to pick presidential candidates. But it's also the night that a Native American pitcher takes the mound as a starter for the New York Yankees.
8 Montana Tribes Lobby Governor
Leaders of Montana's eight Indian nations met with Gov. Brian Schweitzer to discuss issues affecting their tribes as the 2009 Legislature began its work.

Navajobama
Tell us what you think about the 'Navajobama' T-shirt, and we'll send your comments to the manufacturer—and to the Obama for President campaign. (No profanities, please.)
Two-Spirit Wedding
A Native American gay wedding ceremony takes place at a Two Spirit gathering in Montana.
Two Words Obama Didn't Say: Native Americans
Omission disappoints Native Americans attending the presidential candidate's speech in Wisconsin. Others express concern over Obama's stance on Indian gaming.
Any Reservations About This Mascot?
A Tennessee high school, whose mascot is the Indians, takes the Native American motif one step further: It calls school grounds "The Reservation."
Adam Beach: ‘Our Worst Enemy Is Us’
The Native actor’s role on 'Law and Order: SVU' is coming to an end, but he plans to stay busy with an Internet TV show, a book and a new baby.

Locator Map

Javascript is required to view this map.

Sponsors:

Copyright © 2009 Reznet.
Reznet is a project of The University of Montana School of Journalism.
Comments?