[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E531-E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING LIFE OF ACTIVIST AND COUSHATTA LEADER 
                             ERNEST SICKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and activism of Ernest Sickey, leader of the Coushatta Tribe who 
dedicated his life to advocating for the rights and well-being of 
Native American communities. Sickey devoted his life to serving his 
people and fighting for their rights. He played a pivotal role in 
securing federal recognition for his tribe, ensuring its sovereignty, 
and the preservation of its rich heritage. He tirelessly worked to 
improve healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for Native 
Americans.
  Ernest Sickey was born on the Coushatta Reservation in Louisiana in 
1942. He grew up in poverty and experienced firsthand the 
discrimination and marginalization that Native Americans faced in the 
United States. Despite these challenges, he was determined to make a 
difference in his community. He became a

[[Page E532]]

leader in the Coushatta Tribe, serving as a tribal council member and 
later as the tribe's chairman. He was a tireless advocate for Native 
American rights, working to improve access to healthcare, education, 
and economic opportunities for his people. In addition to his work on 
behalf of the Coushatta Tribe, Ernest Sickey was a respected leader in 
the broader Native American community. He served as the president of 
the National Congress of American Indians and was a founding member of 
the United South and Eastern Tribes.
  Recognition of Sickey's devotion and impact extended beyond his 
tribal boundaries and even had an impact at the State and National 
level. Ernest served as the first executive director of the Office of 
Indian Affairs in Louisiana and used his position to preserve and share 
Native American culture and traditions to help bridge gaps between 
communities, aiming to foster understanding and unity. He was a true 
activist and wanted to make the world a better place for everyone, not 
just his own community. He met with governors and presidents to 
advocate for funds to support Native American tribes and their members. 
Sickey played an instrumental role in getting the re-acknowledgment for 
the Coushatta Tribe from the federal government in 1973.
  Ernest Sickey's legacy is one of courage, determination, and service. 
He dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality for Native 
Americans, and his impact will be felt for many generations to come. On 
behalf of the people of Louisiana's Second Congressional District, I 
offer my deepest condolences to Ernest Sickey's family and friends. We 
are grateful for his life and his service, and we will continue to 
honor his memory by working to build a more just and equitable society 
for all Americans.

                          ____________________