Shirell Parfait-Dardar

GUEST SPEAKER

Elder Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar is the former active traditional tribal chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, and an independent artist/small business owner. She is one of the founding members of the First People’s Conservation Council of Louisiana and is currently seated as the secretary. She was also one of the advisors to LA H.B.660 – Act #102, establishing the Native American Commission and was elected the first Native American chairwoman of the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs Native American Commission.

Much of Parfait-Dardar's working hours are dedicated to tribal federal acknowledgement efforts and serving her tribal citizens and the community residents within her tribal territory in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

She is an active advocate for coastal restoration and preservation, development and utilization of alternative energy sources, community resiliency, education, and human rights.

Woman in burgundy dress stands in front of setting sun