Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana: Investing in Israel

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA


Just like billionaire Warren Buffett, the world's richest man, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is investing in Israel.

Buffett decided the Israeli metalworking company Iscar would be his first major investment outside of the United States. Likewise, the Coushatta Nation's first international investment in diplomacy is with Israel.

On Nov. 17, a high-ranking Israeli delegation will visit the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to sign a historic proclamation – the first between a Native American tribe and the nation of Israel.

David Sickey, vice chairman of the Coushatta Nation, said the event is being held to honor Israel as it celebrates its 60th year as a modern nation-state.

“As a sovereign nation, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana values Israel's struggle for sovereignty and self-determination,” he said.

After having been erased from the face of the earth for nearly 2,000 years, the nation of Israel was reborn.

At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel, proclaimed the new State of Israel. The United States officially recognized the new government on that same date.

This year, the nation of Israel is celebrating its 60th Independence Day with events throughout the world.

Sickey said members of the Coushatta Tribal Council will sign a proclamation to commemorate this historic milestone naming May 14, as “Stakayoop Yanihta Yisrael,” which means “The Day to Honor Israel.”

Asher Yarden, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, will represent the State of Israel at the event.

Yarden, a former director of the Diplomatic and Civil Law Department in the Legal Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, has also served as a delegate to the United Nations for the State of Israel.

He stated the following in a recent news release:

“This unique relationship being forged between two sovereign entities, which live so far apart geographically, only goes to show that open hearts and open minds can bridge the gap between two old and historic cultures that may otherwise appear so far apart.”

The Consul and other members of the delegation will tour the Coushatta Tribe installations on the Coushatta Reservation in Elton before the historic signing ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m. in the Coushatta Administrative Building.

This historic event is expected to generate significant national and international media coverage, according to Sickey.

He is preparing for a large gathering of business and political leaders from across the state, along with Native America tribes from every part of the country.

This historic event is part of an ongoing effort by the Coushatta Tribe to build relations with other governments.

“We're reaching out with this unprecedented move, leaping into the diplomatic arena on an international level,” Sickey said. “We also want to showcase and share the success story of the Coushatta Nation.”

Sickey said he hopes this new relationship with Israel will lead to greater cultural exchanges and business opportunities in the future.

Roee Madai, Israel's Consul for Economic Affairs in Houston, announced he, too, would like to explore a cooperative agreement between the two nations.

“I am thrilled to see this opportunity materialize,” he said in a press release. “Israel is always vested in developing and expanding mutually beneficial economic relationships with other nations. As Israel's economic consul, I will make myself and my office available to promoting business opportunities in Israel and stimulating the trade relations between Israel and the Coushatta Tribe.”

Sickey said there is a need for more recognition and understanding by all in a global economy. He said the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is positioned to play a more significant role in the global economy with both sovereign status and with 1,000 acres dedicated to economic development.

He said the Coushatta Tribe joins the growing influence of private-sector business interested in international relations.

Sickey believes this first step in international diplomacy will lead to an increase in exposure to world markets.

“Many Native American Tribes have not explored the full benefits of being a sovereign nation, but it has been a part of our long-range planning for some time,” he said. “This important event will not only highlight our sovereign status, but will serve to establish an important, mutually beneficial relationship with a major, international partner.”

Kevin Sickey, chairman of the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, said he is looking forward to highlighting the accomplishments of the tribe and honoring the nation of Israel during the November visit.

“The Coushatta of Louisiana are very proud that we will be able to welcome and honor representatives of the State of Israel,” he said. “Though the circumstances and challenges that we have faced are different, the Coushatta of Louisiana and the people of Israel have many things in common. In much the same way that our forefathers overcame enormous difficulties to found and build the Sovereign Nation of Coushatta, the Israeli people have overcome tremendous hardship and heartbreak in order to forge a strong identity as a free and sovereign nation.”