Brenda Dardar Robichaux
CWPPRA Personal Reflections: Environmental Portraits and Oral Histories of Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands Stakeholders
The goal of CWPPRA’s Personal Reflections Project is to capture the lives and stories of Louisiana residents who have been stewards of the wetlands and storytellers who open the door to the world of habitat protection and preservation. Each person has a unique tale, but the Louisiana wetlands have been a part of all of their lives. We invite you to learn more about these coastal caretakers. We have tried to capture our Louisiana guardians in two ways; the first with an environmental portrait and the second with an oral history.
Taylor Suir
Brenda Dardar Robichaux, born on October 15, 1958, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a prominent figure in the United Houma Nations, having served as the Principal Chief. She spent her childhood in the south end of Golden Meadow, below the corporation limits of the town of Golden Meadow, and has lived most of her adult life in Lafourche Parish and Raceland. Robichaux's connection to Louisiana's wetlands is deeply rooted in her family's history and traditions. Her grandfather was a trapper, hunter, and farmer who used plants from the local environment for traditional medicine. Her father was a fisherman and oysterman, further strengthening her ties to the land and the wetlands. As the former Principal Chief of the United Houma Nations, Robichaux has been a vocal advocate for the preservation of the wetlands and the cultural identity of her community. She has expressed concern about the impacts of environmental changes and coastal land loss on her community.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Brenda Dardar Robichaux, conducted by Susan Testroet-Bergeron on October 4, 2012, provides a comprehensive insight into Robichaux's life, her experiences, and her perspectives on Louisiana's Coastal Wetlands. The interview begins with Robichaux sharing her personal background, including her upbringing and her family's connection to the wetlands. She then discusses her role as the former Principal Chief of the United Houma Nations and her concerns about the impacts of environmental changes on her community. Robichaux emphasizes the importance of preserving the wetlands and the cultural identity of her community, urging for action rather than allowing her community to become a historical footnote. She also discusses the challenges that future generations will face in preserving the wetlands and the importance of education and passion for the community in addressing these issues. The interview also touches on Robichaux's experiences during the integration of schools in the mid-60s.
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