HDV film Interview with Rev. Roch R. Naquin part one

Conducted at his home, Isle de Jean Charles

Born and raised on Isle de Jean Charles- home place about 100 feet away from current location- shows picture
Six children, three boys and three girls, Roch fourth September 25, 1932 2 AM Sunday morning
Photo of parents 1976 at 50th wedding anniversary
All siblings married- all lived close- all deceased except Roch and oldest brother
School didn't provide education for Native Americans after 7th grade but need to graduate 8th grade for seminary- refused to get 8th grade books
St. Joseph seminary in Covington, then served in Little Rock, Arkansas, Chalmette, Thibodaux, Theriot, Dulac, retired 1997 and moved back home repaired parents house
In the past, people farmed corn, peas, sugar cane, you couldn't see the water, in 1940s some horses were given to help with farming- enough to transport by boat and sell. Annual flooding helped rebuild soil- watermelons and cantaloupes and vegetables- Mississippi River levees closed off the fresh water supply- salt water intrusion occurred and destroyed trees and eating at marshes. Oil canals is like a highway- allows traffic and salt water.
Once upon a time, this area didn't flood. Nutria invaded and eat roots. So hurricanes came and washed things away.
Indian school in chapel at end of Point aux Chene- built late 1930s. Went by boat/pirogue for school and church. 5 miles paddle each way. Wind, weather, cold. In mid 1940s, hired father to take kids by 20 foot boat- then a bigger covered boat. Old fly wheel motor.
School segregated- bussed Indians out to Point aux Chene- Jeanette LeBouef from Montegut was teacher.
Two stores at Point aux Chenes- Nelo Hebert where marina is now, Artoine Naquin store and dance hall opened as school house. Air-cool engine on huge pirogue to get LeBouef to teach on Island.
Dropped out in 7th grade to work on oyster boat in LaFourche area- local priest helped him get a place with Lege family in Thibodeaux. Took 7th grade again and then 8th grade. Seminary in Covington was tough - finished 1956. Ordained June 2, 1962.
Parents lived on Island whole life- Victor Naquin was Chief- had six children by two wives- house by foot bridge across Bayou- called it the White House- grocery store on road side- Father born 1898- went to French school, learned to write and read French. Mother had 8 siblings- lived in camp boats on Lake- house by marina- never learned English. Father older- Mother rode by boat to church in Montegut - prayed to have a priest son- married young (Mom 12 or 13)- lived in house boat called "the Frog". Dad worked at Delta Farm with sugarcane. Mom caught a piece of lumber floating and saved it to built their house.
Clement Naquin was great uncle- had store and a boat to buy catch to resell- got grocery by boat from Lapeyrouse. Had telephone line on Island- son had store and dancehall - from all over- violin, accordion- people came from all over.
Father was fisherman- owned 40 acres of oyster beds- moved oysters - sold for $1.25 small sacks at Montegut. Fished a trot line ("pallunk"). Fished crabs as well.
Delta Farms at La Rose- suger cane
Father who was Chief always said they were not Houma, but Choctaw. Biloxi Chitimacha Conderation of Muskogees
Lost Indian dialect through intermarriage. Old style French was preserved through a French teacher. Thinks French still dominant language. Being punished for speaking French at school. French spoken at home- English at school.
Denecia Billiot and her sister in law Marilyn make things out of moss and baskets.
Canal dug in 1940s- road should have been put on natural ridge- but road was aimed to Southern part of Point aux Chene for store, shrimp plant, and dance hall there. Road work started in 1951- first car crossed in 1953 or 54 on gravel road. Traffic caused sinking. Oyster fishing in 1970s and 80s was big business here- 18 wheelers damaged road. Flooding started soon after.
Natural canal had thick marsh on both sides- erosion came from canal widening.