155 Chitimacha Loop
Charenton, LA 70523
337-923-4973
The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana's history dates back in 500 A.D. It was during this time that the concluding remnants of the enormous Roman Empire started diminishing in Europe and was marking the start of the modern history. It was during this time that the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana in another part of the world was starting to build its own community in an untouched land which is now known to be the Southern Louisiana. For hundreds of years, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana lived on serenity and was untouched by the modernization. Come seventeenth century, several prowling groups of Frenchmen started the alliance with the other Acolapissa Indians to launch a war against the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, thus the start of the twelve years struggle for the Chitimacha. The Chitimacha habitat was rediscovered in 1727. Their community was found along the Mississippi River. This came as a surprise because many people believed that most of the tribesmen were caught under the slavery of the Whites. In the years to come, more and more number from the Chitimacha Tribe was found dwelling in Charenton, Louisiana. Charenton, Louisiana now serves as the main reservation area for the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. The next century proved to have increased the violence from the French, Spanish and American settlers. This encroachment weakened the growth of the Chitimacha Tribe both culturally and economically. In the middle of the eighteenth century, the Chitimacha Tribe had to sue the government for the verification of their homeland. The suing resulted in the decree that dictated the 1,062 acres of land to be Chitimacha Tribe property. Because of the taxation forced sales and constant proceedings, the land was reduced of almost 260 acres. The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana has experienced several distractions in the past that led to the decline in their number. For example, in 1706, the tribe lost many tribesmen upon the war against the French. At some point in the nineteenth century, the original number of the tribe trimmed down to only six distinct families. At this point, some 100 members lived. The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana was the first tribe to be federally acknowledged in the state. Today, despite the difficulties in the past, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana has retained their original homeland. The tribe has an estimated 950 membership, 350 of which are living in the Chitimacha Tribe Reservation. They are the operator of the Cypress Bayou Casino which opened in 1985. The casino was renovated in 1995 and several facilities were added. They have Track Betting, Poker Rooms and more than a few slot machines. The casino also has its own bar which is open daily and a nightclub open on Fridays and Saturdays.
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