| Atakapa Ishak Nation | |
| Full Name: | Atakapa Ishak Tribe of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana |
| Named After: | Atakapa people and their autonym, Ishak |
| Formation: | 2008 |
| Founders: | --> |
| Defunct: | --> |
| Type: | nonprofit organization |
| Tax Id: | EIN 80-0156227 |
| Purpose: | A23: Cultural, Ethnic Awareness |
| Location City: | Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Membership: | estimated 900 |
| Membership Year: | 2014 |
| Language: | English |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Edward Chretien |
| Publication: | --> |
| Parent Organisation: | --> |
The Atapaka Ishak Nation, officially named the Atakapa Ishak Tribe of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, is a cultural heritage organization of individuals who identify as descendants of the Atakapa people.
The Atakapa Ishak Nation is an unrecognized organization. Despite using the word nation in its name, the group is neither a federally recognized tribe[1] nor a state-recognized tribe.[2] Louisiana has 11 state-recognized tribes[2] but rejected the Atakapa Ishak Nation's application for state recognition.
In 2008, the Atakapa Ishak Nation formed the Atakapa Ishak Tribe of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[3]
Edward Chretien Jr. is their president and primary contact.[4]
In 2007, the Atakapas Ishak Nation of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana sent a letter of intent to petition for federal recognition.[5] They have not followed up with a petition for federal recognition, however.[6] The group has since splintered into three factions.[7]