Janie Luster, United Houma Nation

Bayou du Large, Louisiana

Janie shared similar sentiments to that of her colleagues - that as native people they always think about tomorrow in terms of their resources. Right now, because of the oil spill, that tomorrow is unknown.  Janie also expressed great concern and fear over the effects the dispersants might have and of equal concern the impact a hurricane could have in her community. A hurricane, like many others explained to us, could bring oil onto their land and could result in far reaching and permanent impacts for the tribe and their way of life. We met Jainie with two other members of the United Houma Nation at a meeting hosted by the Department of Commerce in East New Orleans. The meeting was held to hear directly from minority fisherman groups about how the oil spill is impacting their community and livelihood.