Residents of Grand Bayou, La. have had to risk their well-being for decades to sustain their cultural identity. Now they are turning to several University professors for help. This community’s location makes it susceptible to a number of hazards, from sinking structures to storm surges.
The National Science Foundation and several non-profit organizations have teamed up with the University and agreed to fund research on the area in order to preserve and document this threatened community. The project will provide the people with vital counseling and advice, which may allow the close-knit community to maintain its way of life.
This isolated, unique community lies in the midst of Louisiana’s marshland and sits one mile outside of the Mississippi River levee.
Environmental Studies professor Hassan Mashriqui said because the community is located outside the levee, it faces many more risks than other communities.
Kristina Peterson, a reverend from West Virginia, began working with the community after she visited as part of her disaster relief work in December 2002. Peterson said she was humbled by the presence of the community and was inspired to do more.
Peterson’s contacts with University’s professors helped connect LSU with Grand Bayou.
The research project will soon be under way with the collaboration of various local universities. The University of New Orleans and Tulane University are working alongside LSU in an effort to sustain the Grand Bayou community.
Environmental Studies professor John Pine, who is helping to coordinate the project, has visited the area a number of times and has gotten a chance to talk with the residents there.
Pine noted that the majority of the residents make a marginal living by shrimping, fishing and crabbing.
According to Pine, the community consists of about 150 Native American residents who have developed strong cultural ties to the area. Their ancestors have resided in this area for about 300 years.
Because of the town’s unique geography, the remote community is only accessible by boat. This immediately sets the town apart from others, and makes the project more interesting, Pine said.
The local children attend parish schools, but do not take the traditional route. The children are picked up by a yellow school boat which takes them up the bayou where they can then catch a school bus.
The people of Grand Bayou said they love their home and hope to remain in the area, but environmental issues are causing the community to seek help. This strong community refuses to believe that relocation is the only option.
Pine explained that hurricane force winds, sinking, flooding and land loss all threaten the community’s way of life.
The residents are determined to stand their ground and are excited that they finally have some resources available to better their situation, Peterson said.
Recently Pine visited the small town and said it was nothing short of remarkable.
“It is amazing that these people have been able to sustain their community for so long despite the many problems which plague the area,” Pine said.
Pine and other University professors, Barrett Kennedy, Hassan Mashriqui and Marc Levitan, have joined with the National Science Foundation to help the residents fight for their homes.
Mashriqui is the flood engineer on the project and will play a key role in the project. Mashriqui said he will make models of the area with different storm scenarios applied to communicate the risks to the residents.
Mashriqui’s work will demonstrate just how severe flooding can become, and show what kind of damage this continued problem may pose in the future.
Many of the homes in Grand Bayou are in disrepair and are not able to resist the elements. Barrett Kennedy, associate dean of architecture, will present design strategies to the residents so they may successfully sustain their residences and become informed of their options.
The University of New Orleans has provided a group of sociologists who will aid in the effort by documenting and recording the history of this amazing community. Tulane plans to design a restaurant in the community, which will provide an economic base, Pine said.
The team hopes to communicate concerns and possible solutions to the community so that the residents may be capable of making important decisions.
Peterson commented on the incredible presence the residents possess and described the town as the ideal community.
“There are unbelievable relationships which exist within the community,” Peterson said. “They are a very sophisticated and spiritual people who have simply not had access to the resources that may help them.”
Pine said the community will play a major role in the project and their input along with the team’s expertise will hopefully provide a solution. It will allow this one-of-a-kind community to continue to thrive.