The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana stepped into the spotlight at Washington Mardi Gras as Chairwoman Melissa Darden and Councilman Schuylar “Skylar” Hebert joined the conversation to highlight the tribe’s history, growth, and current priorities. The tribe, based in St. Mary Parish on its aboriginal homeland, is Louisiana’s only federally recognized tribe located on its original lands. He noted that the Tribal Council acts as the tribe’s lawmaking body and manages its own codes and court system. A major focus of their Washington Mardi Gras visit is the Sheraton Bridge project, a critical connector near the reservation. For the Chitimacha Tribe, Washington Mardi Gras offers more than celebration.