This Native American Heritage Month, we’re proud to feature stories from three dedicated team members. Each shares their unique perspectives on the importance of heritage, the influence of family and traditions, and the ongoing challenges Native Americans face today.
Kaitlan Louviere, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana
Kaitlan Louviere is a member of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. Growing up, Louviere attended tribal school on the Chitimacha reservation, where she was taught the Chitimacha language and the history of her ancestors until 8th grade.
Current Challenges
Today, many people who have Native American heritage and are enrolled members of tribes may not look how people expect Native Americans to look.
“Once I was no longer in the bubble of going to school on the reservation, I encountered a lot of people who did not believe I was Native American,” Louviere says. “While a lot of my tribe is now mixed race, we cannot limit being Native American to those who look more native or have a higher percentage of Native American genes because our tribe would die out one day.”
Her Grandfather’s Influence
Louviere is influenced by her grandfather, who is half Native American and half white and grew up during segregation. Once he was too old to attend tribal school, her grandfather enrolled in a public middle school but was not allowed to ride the bus with the white students.
“As a child, he walked almost 10 miles to and from school every day because he was not allowed to ride the bus because of who he was,” Louviere says.
However, her grandfather was determined to get his education. He and his cousin became the first Native Americans to graduate from Franklin Senior High School and he went on to have a successful career with Exxon.
“My grandfather always held our tribe close to his heart and did everything he could to make sure that the experience his children and grandchildren had because they were Native American was better than his own,” Louviere says.
Louviere’s grandfather served on the Chitimacha Tribal Council for many years and aided in writing the tribe’s constitution, which was an integral part of the tribe becoming federally recognized in the 1970s.
“My grandfather is someone I admire because I don’t think I would be where he is today had I been in his position,” Louviere explains. “Because of him, I have been allowed to always celebrate and freely learn about my Native American heritage.”
Joshua Mort, Choctaw Tribe
Joshua Mort is an employee relations specialist and joined our health system in September 2023. He is a member of the Choctaw Tribe, one of the largest Indian nations in the U.S. Mort and his family attend the powwow each year in Oklahoma.
“Native Americans spent so much time hiding their heritage and trying to blend in that now much of our heritage has not been passed on,” Mort says. “I’m proud to be a member of the Choctaw Tribe and try to represent my tribe by acting kindly toward others.”
The Choctaw tribe was the first to be removed from Mississippi to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Today the Choctaw people are members of three federally recognized tribes: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana.
Melissa Fouchi, RN, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
Melissa Fouchi is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, one of the largest tribes in the U.S., and works at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center as a registered nurse. She enjoys participating in Cherokee Nation tribal events virtually throughout the year and travels to northern Louisiana for in-person events at least once a year.
Native American Challenges Today
One of the challenges Native Americans continue to face today is the endangerment of their culture and languages.
“The Native American culture and languages are endangered, and once they are gone, we will lose so much information about our ancestors, history and origins,” Fouchi says. “I appreciate that our tribe regularly sends out newsletters with words in our native language so we can continue learning it.”
The Many Different Cultures of Native Americans
Fouchi’s interest in her culture extends beyond the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
“Once I became more aware of my ancestry, I decided to learn more about my heritage and the history of Native Americans,” she says. “I have participated in many different Native American events and have learned to appreciate the culture of my tribe and others!”
Our DEI Commitment
Our ministry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion supports culturally competent care education for our team members all year long, including during Native American Heritage Month every November.
