Father Chad Partain, local historian, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Church in Alexandria and Chancellor of the Diocese of Alexandria, took time out of his busy back-to-school schedule to enlighten the Natchitoches Rotary Club on the Apalachee Indians and their history in Natchitoches Parish. The author of numerous books on local and church history, Fr. Partain detailed the Apalachee’s Trail of Tears which eventually led them isolated in the Kisatchie hills. Today, descendants from the tribe remain near Immanuel. The tribe is currently seeking state and federal recognition as an Indian tribe; Fr. Partain is attempting to assist the long-suffering tribe in their efforts through historical research and records found within the archives of the Diocese of Alexandria. More information can be found in Fr. Partain’s book, In the Heart of Louisiana: an illustrated history of Rapides Parish.
Pictured from left to right are Bill Finical, Fred Terasa, Father Chad Partain, and Henry Kinberger.