Louisiana
How many Native American tribes are in Louisiana? It has most in South
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In the U.S., there are 574 federally recognized Native American tribes and Alaska Native entities, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
As for Louisiana, the state is home to more federally recognized Indigenous tribes than any other state in the South.
This isn’t including state recognized tribes, which Louisiana also has a significant number of.
Louisiana has the most federally recognized Native American tribes in the South
Louisiana has four federally recognized Native American tribes, including the Chitimacha, Coushatta, Jena Band of Choctaw Indians and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana, according to the American Library Association.
In the case of federally recognized tribes, they have a sovereign, government-to-government relationship, which grants the tribes inherent rights, self-government, as well as eligibility for certain federal benefits and services, says the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Louisiana among states with the most state-recognized Native American tribes
The state of Louisiana recognizes 11 Indigenous tribes, in addition to the four federally recognized tribes. Louisiana’s state-recognized Indigenous tribes, not including the four federally recognized tribes, are:
- Bayou Lafourche Band
- Grand Caillou/Dulac Band
- Jean Charles Choctaw Nation
- Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe
- United Houma Nation
- Four Winds Cherokee
- Clifton Choctaw
- Louisiana Band of Choctaw
- Addai Caddo
- Choctaw-Apache
- Natchitoches Tribe
When it comes to state-recognized Native American tribes, they lack a federal relationship with the U.S. government and its associated benefits. Therefore, state-level acknowledgement does not guarantee federal funding and the tribes remain subject to state law, according to Native Nations Institute.
Why are there so many Indigenous tribes in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a number of recognized Native American tribes predominantly because of its historical background as a diverse ancestral homeland with an abundance of natural resources, which served as a refuge for various groups, including those that were displaced by European settlement, according to Louisiana State Museums.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
Louisiana
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Louisiana
North Louisiana Crime Lab warns of cyclorphine cases, counterfeit pill “footprint”
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
Louisiana
Emancipation Jubilee: Louisiana’s Road to Freedom
Before freedom was celebrated, it was fought for. Journey through Louisiana’s complex road from slavery to emancipation, where revolutionaries, musicians, educators, and everyday people challenged a system built on bondage. From the drumbeats of Congo Square to the sugar plantations of the German Coast, from acts of resistance and self-purchase to jubilant celebrations of emancipation, this powerful documentary uncovers the people, places, and events that shaped Louisiana’s unique path to freedom. Through compelling interviews, historic sites, and stories long overlooked, Emancipation Jubilee reveals a legacy of resilience that still echoes across the state today.
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