Kevin Sickey, chairman of the Coushatta Tribal Council (left) with Asher Yarden, Israeli Consul General of the Southwest.
Consul General Yarden meets the Coushatta Princesses.
Yarden and Kevin Sickey share a laugh while David Sickey, Coushatta Tribal Council vice chairman, looks on.
Israel and the Coushatta Nation:
Affirmation of Friendship Established Story by Lauren de Albuquerque; Photography by Katherine Tolentino, www.ktolentino.com
The Israeli delegation meets the Coushatta tribal dancers who entertained at the event.
Consul General Yarden congratulates the Stomp Dancers on their performance. PAGE 38
NOVEMBER 26, 2008
On a beautiful autumn day, a delegation of high-ranking Israeli officials met with the Sovereign Nation of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana in an unprecedented affirmation of friendship. The Nation became the first North American Tribe to recognize the State of Israel. Esteemed guests included Consul General Asher Yarden, Vice Consul Tamar Yarden, Deputy Consul General Belaynesh Zevadia, Economic Consul Roee Madai, along with the Consul of Spain, the honorable Daniel Chamorro Garcia, and the Consul of Panama, the honorable Erich Rodriguez. Officials of the Coushatta Nation signed a Proclamation of Friendship on the grounds of the reservation, witnessed by a crowd of attendees waving Israeli and Coushatta flags. Students from local high school history classes
were bused in for the historic event. The proclamation was presented to Consul General Yarden at an elegant luncheon held in his honor at Koasati Pines. The countries exchanged gifts from their native lands and enjoyed an afternoon of camaraderie that included the singing of the Israeli national anthem and a performance by Coushatta Stomp Dancers Both Yarden and David Sickey, vice chairman of the Coushatta Nation, commented on the similarities between the two sovereign nations. “We have common histories,” said Sickey. “Our nations have a shared spirit of endurance.” The agreement with the State of Israel is the latest step in an ongoing effort by the Tribe to build relationships with other governments and explore new business opportunities.