The National American Indian Housing Council is joining tribes and tribal organizations in urging assistance for the tribes and Indian people who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.

NAIHC says a major concern is the return of tribal members in New Orleans to reservations. This will drive up the need for more housing on reservations.

More than 200 members of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana who lived in New Orleans were evacuated to Arkansas and have since relocated to the reservation. The tribe is expecting to house several hundred people for an extended period of time.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is housing 450 people on the reservation. Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama is expecting to 50 to 60 families to return.

Donations for the National Indian Gaming Association fund may be sent to the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation, attn: Hurricane Katrina Fund, 224 Second St. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003.

Donations for the National Congress of American Indians fund can be sent to the National Congress of American Indians 1301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036.

Get the Story:
Hurricane Katrina brings tribal members back home (Indian Country Today 9/6)
National organizations raise disaster relief funds (Indian Country Today 9/6)
Indian groups raise money for Katrina victims (The Native American Times 9/6)
Forest crews head south to help (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 9/7)

Relevant Links:
National Indian Gaming Association - http://www.indiangaming.org
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org

Related Stories:
NIGA hopes to raise $1M for Katrina relief efforts (9/6)
Tribes respond to Hurricane Katrina disaster (9/6)
Mississippi Choctaws hit by Hurricane Katrina (9/1)
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe welcomes hurricane refugees (8/31)