Around 500 A.D., the final vestiges of the vast Roman Empire were disappearing from Europe, ushering in the beginning of modern history. Around the same time some 7,000 miles away on another continent, the Chitimacha were beginning settlement on land around the bayous of what is now Southern Louisiana

The Chitimacha lived in peace and tranquility for hundreds of years. Until in the early 1700's, marauding bands of heavily armed Frenchmen, often allied with Acolapissa Indians and other tribes, began slaving raids that touched off conflicts which escalated into a devastating twelve-year war for the Chitimacha.

In 1727, the Chitimacha settlement was discovered west of the Mississippi River, although many had thought that the entire tribe was either destroyed or enslaved as a result of the long war. Several years later, more Chitimacha were found living near what is now known as Charenton, Louisiana, the site of today's Chitimacha Reservation.

Over the following hundred years, further encroachment from French, Spanish and United States settlers hampered renewed growth of the remaining Chitimacha. In the mid-1800's,  the Chitimacha were forced to sue the United States for confirmation of title to the Tribal land. This resulted in a governmental decree establishing an area of 1,062 acres as Chitimacha land. In subsequent years, taxation forced sales and continued litigation reduced that amount down to 260 acres.

In the face of hardships, and the rigors of prejudice and discrimination, during the first half of the 20th century, the Chitimacha held fast to what remained of their original homeland, and became the only tribe in Louisiana to have endured. Today about 350 Tribal members live on the Chitimacha Reservation. Total Tribal membership is approximately 950.