Hilton Chaisson at Home, Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana

Description

“Many residents . . . have a sense of social cohesion and tradition that is a powerful part of their identity. It’s perhaps most obvious to an outside observer in their commitment to the land around them and to their self-sufficient way of life. Hilton Chaisson has gutted and restored his house on Isle Jean Charles with his own hands nearly 10 times after damage by years of hurricanes and floods, often at great expense not fully compensated by disaster relief funds. [He and others in the community] depend largely on fishing for survival, just as their ancestors did, and on the same muddy, storm threatened coastline.” —Kael Alford