Capturing the dissolving native story
Description
An escalating environmental phenomenon is transpiring across global shorelines. Sea level rise and other factors effecting coastal geomorphology have not only resulted in significant land loss but loss of historical communities. Coastal Terrebonne Parish, located in southeastern Louisiana, experiences a complexity of detrimental factors. Communities with similar stories of diaspora and social marginalization have settled the region. For centuries, they have largely maintained their distinctive cultural identities, through deep rooted social networks and resiliency, are now jeopardized due to an increasing loss of place. The intent of this research is to propose alternative methods of mitigation to affected communities by evaluating case studies of community relocation, gathering empirical information and providing relevant recommendations. Accounting for the potentially significant loss of cultural fabric, additional mitigation techniques, such as cultural documentation, are discussed.