How many Native American tribes are in Louisiana? It has most in South

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