Pointe-aux-Chenes, Louisiana facts for kids

Pointe-aux-Chênes (which means "Oak Point" in French) is a small community in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, USA. It is an unincorporated community. Many people here are from the Houma or Chitimacha Native American tribes. The community shares a zip code with Montegut (70377). In 1993, the independent Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe was formed here. It is one of three Houma tribes recognized by the state of Louisiana.

History of Pointe-aux-Chênes

Pointe-aux-Chênes has a rich history. Many members of the United Houma Nation live here. This tribe was officially recognized by the State of Louisiana in 1990. About 19,000 people are part of the United Houma Nation.

The Pointe-au-Chien Tribe

The Pointe-au-Chien Tribe is recognized by the State of Louisiana. This recognition helps with education in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. However, the tribe is not recognized by the federal government. The Pointe-au-Chien Tribe started in 1993. They separated from the United Houma Nation. Members of this tribe believe they are related to the Chitimacha, Choctaw, Acolapissa, and Atakapa tribes.

Protecting the Environment

Since the 1970s, tribe members have worked hard to protect their environment. Large companies have caused a lot of damage to the coastal wetlands. This damage comes from industrial work and dredging. Dredging means digging up the bottom of waterways. This digging by shipping and oil companies has led to much land loss.

Tribe members say that deep cuts made in the marshes brought in saltwater. This saltwater caused coastal erosion of the wetlands. Erosion has changed the area. Once, there were many oak trees in Pointe-aux-Chênes. Now, these trees are just empty husks. Areas where people once lived have become watery marshes or open water. In 2005, Hurricane Rita caused severe flooding. Parts of the town were covered by up to 8 feet (2.4 m) of water.

Challenges for the Community

In 2023, the community faced many challenges. Coastal erosion continued to be a big problem. There were also not many community services available. The cost of insuring homes was also going up. These issues made it hard for people to stay in the community.

Geography of Pointe-aux-Chênes

Houses in Pointe-aux-Chênes are built on stilts. This helps protect them from flooding. Flooding can happen during storms or at certain times of the year.

As of As of 2023^[update], there is no grocery store in the community.

People in Pointe-aux-Chênes

Many members of the United Houma Nation live in Pointe-aux-Chênes. They also live in nearby Montegut and Isle de Jean Charles. The United Houma Nation has about 19,000 members. Some members of the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe also live in the community. This tribe has about 680 members.

Education in Pointe-aux-Chênes

The Terrebonne Parish School District runs the public schools. Students from Pointe-aux-Chênes usually go to Montegut Elementary School. This school is located in Montegut.

École Pointe-au-Chien

The community also has a special French immersion public school. It is called École Pointe-au-Chien. Children living in Pointe-aux-Chênes get first choice for admission to this school.

Former Elementary School

Pointe-aux-Chênes Elementary School used to be in the community. In 2021, about 100 students attended the school. Most of these students were Cajun and Native American. Many of them came from French-speaking homes.

The school board decided to close the school in 2021. Six board members voted to close it, and three voted against it. Parents in the area protested the closure. They even sued the school district in federal court to try and stop it. Students were then sent to Montegut Elementary School. After the school closed, Hurricane Ida caused damage to the building.

New French Immersion School

The lawsuit about the school closure led to a new idea. Members of the Louisiana Legislature thought about creating a French immersion school. Tanner Magee, a Republican from Houma, proposed a bill for this. The Louisiana House of Representatives approved the idea. John Bel Edwards, who was the Governor of Louisiana at the time, also approved it.

The new school, École Pointe-au-Chien, opened in 2023. It planned to move into the old Pointe-aux-Chênes school building. This plan happened after the school district sold the building to the Pointe-au-Chien Tribe for just one dollar. In 2024, the school had 9 students. Most of these students were Native American.

Libraries and Colleges

As of As of 2023^[update], there is no library in the community.

The parish is served by Fletcher Technical Community College. Also, Delgado Community College has stated that Terrebonne Parish is in its service area.