Environmental Change, Land Loss, and Health in the United Houma Nation

Shanondora Billiot, a member of the United Houma Nation and social work researcher, presented her dissertation study on how chronic coastal land loss in southeast Louisiana affects the health of Houma tribal members. She described seeking permission from the tribal council, building a community advisory committee, recruiting participants on a wharf while helping build crab traps, and her findings on environmental-change exposure, discrimination, mental health and adaptation. Audience Q&A covered the Gulf dead zone, Standing Rock, government relocation plans and research trust.