Youth Activities

United Houma Nation and Global Fund for Children

The United Houma Nation (UHN) held a Youth Leadership Training at the Tunica Biloxi Pow Wow in Marksville, Louisiana. The mission to foster spiritual, physical and social development of Houma youth was accomplished through conducting interviews with vendors, dancers, drummers, staff and Tunica Biloxi tribal council representatives.  Pow wow etiquette activities were assigned to learn about traditional dance styles and drumming, traditional art and cuisine.

To enhance and develop their public speaking skills, workshops were held on the proper way to conduct interviews. The Tunica Biloxi Pow Wow participants enthusiastically shared their time and talents, igniting excitement in our young leaders. The interviewees expressed their appreciation to the UHN tribal youth for their interest in carrying on tribal traditions. They understand, as we do, that the future of Indigenous People is in the hands of youth today. The interviews are in the process of being edited and will be posted on the UHN web site.

The counselors were given the task of conducting, evaluating and monitoring youth activities during the leadership training. The UHN staff provided leadership development, community and team building activities. 

The excitement of twenty-eight Houma youth learning pow wow etiquette and tribal traditions was equally shared with counselors, staff and pow wow participants they met from tribes across the United States. The program had a positive, uplifting impact on youth, mentors and participating staff.

The Houma youth and counselor's commitment to take what they learned back to their respective tribal communities was evident. The youth returned from the training and worked digilently with their parents and grandparents constructing their traditonal regalia. They proudly demonstrated their knowledge and hard work at the Kateri Mass, the Indian Education Summer Camp closing ceremony and mini pow wow and at the UHN Voc Rehab pow wow.

The United Houma Nation has a vision for the youth of our tribe as future leaders, not only for our culture and traditions, but for social change and justice.

Photos of the youth activities may be seen in the GFC Youth Leadership Training, Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow photo album.