Louisiana Attakapas Eagle Band
of the Four Winds Tribe Louisiana Cherokee Confederation
Welcome To
Louisiana Attakapas Eagle Band
We, the descendants of the Attakapas people, stand today as living proof that our heritage and culture endure.
When Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca first reached the Louisiana coast, he encountered our ancestors—the Attakapas—known by that name through the Choctaw. Our people lived in harmony with the land, sustained by its rivers, marshes, and forests. We hunted small and large game, fished the waters, and gathered from the earth, building a life rooted in respect for nature and community.
For more than 300 years, our people were displaced—pushed from our camps and hunting grounds by explorers, other tribes, European settlers, and later by timber companies and land speculators. Many believed the Attakapas to be lost to history. But we, their descendants, remain. We have endured.
Today, we reclaim our voice, our traditions, and our rightful place. The Band of the Calcasieu (Eagle) is organized and recognized by the State of Louisiana. We proudly affirm who we are: the Louisiana Attakapas Indians.
We honor our ancestors, protect our heritage, and celebrate our identity so that future generations will know the strength, resilience, and spirit of the Attakapas people.
In unity and respect,
Jed Duhon (Chief White Plume)
Louisiana Attakapas Bands
Louisiana Attakapas Tribe was made up of 4 Bands
1.) Calcasieu Rivers Tribe mean (Crying Eagle) but it is now Called (Attakapas Eagle Tribe).
2.) Opelousas Prairie Tribe means (Black Leg Band)
3.) Mermentau Tribe (Gator Band).
4.) Grand Bayou Tribe (Serpent Band).
The name "Attakapas" Meaning in Choctaw "man eater,"
The Smithsonian Institute recorded for a final time in 1909 the language. Armogene Reon from The Calcasieu District provided a lot of information for the dictionary. The Reons were settled just south of Black Bayou on what is now Big Lake road. They made their living selling crabs, fish, Shrimp, furs, Ducks in the winter time and farmed vegetables in the summer for their own use. The Descendants of this family still owns the land in that area. I was lucky to get Armogene Reon's old shot gun from a cousin. It is a 1897 model Winchester and was the first shot gun they had that would shoot 4 shells instead of 2 like the old double barrel. The old Folks said Armogene told them (We are gonna get fat now) when he got the gun.
(By: Chief J.E. Duhon)
The Attakapas ate Shrimp, fish, Crabs and Oysters. The men hunted deer, bear, Alligator and buffalo which provided meat, fat, and hides. They processed the meat, bones and skins to prepare food for storage, as well as to make clothing, tools, sewing materials, arrow cases. They speared alligators in the eye. The people put alligator oil on exposed skin to repel mosquitoes. In common with other southeastern cultures, the Attakapas traded with neighboring people. Eagle tribe people living on the Prien Lake , Calcasieu Lake, Big Lake the Gulf area, the Bayous and the Rivers.
(By: Martha LeJeune)
