Louisiana SCR 78: SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes Friday, May 29, 2026, as Bonfouca Museum and Research Center Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

Bill Text

SLS 26RS-3353ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78
BY SENATOR OWEN 
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH. Recognizes Friday, May 29, 2026, as Bonfouca Museum
and Research Center Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.
1A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2To designate Friday, May 29, 2026, as Bonfouca Museum and Research Center Day at the
3Louisiana State Capitol, to recognize the dedication of the Bonfouca Museum and
4Research Center by the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe, and to express sincere
5appreciation to the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe for the preservation of the
6indigenous history of the tribal nation in historic Bonfouca for the cultural
7enrichment and civic pride of Louisiana citizens.
8WHEREAS, the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe will dedicate the Bonfouca
9Museum and Research Center at the historic train depot located in Slidell, St. Tammany
10Parish, Louisiana on Friday, May 29, 2026; and
11WHEREAS, the museum, one of the oldest documented locations in Louisiana and
12West Florida, will preserve and promote the artifacts and history of Bonfouca; and
13WHEREAS, the museum will provide a dedicated space to showcase the history and
14related American Indian artifacts for the purposes of education, cultural enrichment, tourism,
15economic development, and community representation; and
16WHEREAS, the Bonfouca Museum and Research Center will be beneficial to
17Louisiana residents, newcomers, students, and tourist to the area; and
18WHEREAS, the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe are descendants of the mound
Page 1 of 2

SCR NO. 78
SLS 26RS-3353ORIGINAL
1builders; and
2WHEREAS, the ancestors of the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe are buried in
3traditional cemeteries throughout the parish of St. Tammany; and
4WHEREAS, the Chahta Tribe fought for the United States of America under
5President Andrew Jackson, including in the Battle of New Orleans and throughout West
6Florida; and
7WHEREAS, in 1830, the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe were the earliest Native
8Americans to become United States citizens, with dual citizenship, ratified under Article 14
9of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek; and
10WHEREAS, President Andrew Jackson gave special provisions to the hereditary
11chief of the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe, his heirs, and assigns who did not have to
12relocate to Indian territory in Oklahoma.
13THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
14recognize Friday, May 29, 2026, as Bonfouca Museum and Research Center Day at the
15Louisiana State Capitol, recognize the dedication of the Bonfouca Museum and Research
16Center by the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe, and does express sincere appreciation to the
17Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe for the preservation of the indigenous history of the tribal
18nation in historic Bonfouca for the cultural enrichment and civic pride of Louisiana citizens.
19BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
20Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SCR 78 Original2026 Regular SessionOwen
Recognizes Friday, May 29, 2026, as Bonfouca Museum and Research Center Day at the La.
State Capitol and acknowledges the Tchefuncta Nation, Chahta Tribe for the preservation
of the indigenous history of the tribal nation in historic Bonfouca.
Page 2 of 2