A Movie by Leslye Abbey L.I. International Humanitarian Film & Video Expo -2006 Award On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept ashore on the Louisiana coast. Among those communities devastated by her impact were the smaller Houma Indian settlements in lower Plauemines, lower St. Bernard, and lower jefferson parishes. The population of these Indian settlements, some 3500 tribal citizens, was hit hard by the storm. Over one thousand of that number were left homeless, their homes completely destroyed by wind and water. As the tribe struggled to bring aid to its citizens and channel its few resources to their benefit, Hurricane Rita entered the Gulf of Mexico and tracked westward towards Louisiana. At risk was the core of the Houma Indian population that resides in the lower bayou regions of Laforche and Terrabone parishes. While they were spared the direct impact with which Katrina had assaulted the eastern communities, the "near miss" by Rita pushed a massive storm surge into the bayous. Their more populous settlements in lower Terrabone were submerged. The Houma communities of Dulac, Gran Caillou, Montegut, Pointe-aux-Chene, and Isle de Jean Charles were inundated with seven to eight feet of water. An additional 4000 tribe member's homes were lost. The Houma are a state-recognized tribe that have bee fighting for Federal recognition for decades.