Devon Parfait

Devon Parfait is chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Tribe (GC/D). He was tapped as the Tribe’s future leader at 12 years old by his predecessor. On his journey to accepting the responsibility of leadership, he graduated with a degree in geosciences at Williams College, where he focused his studies on the disproportionate rate of land loss of Indigenous lands along the Louisiana coastline.

Devon is leading the fight to preserve GC/D homelands, culture and identity to realize a future where future generations of GC/D, and folks across the region, are thriving in relationship with our planet. Devon’s work of community care and future building is led by the wisdom of his people and place, bolstered by his training and education, and put into action with a growing and deepening coalition of partners.

GC/D moves in solidarity with other Tribes in the region, with Devon holding positions as a board member of the First People’s Conservation Council of Louisiana and vice chair of the Native American Commission in the LA Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. GC/D fosters connectivity across the Delta, including through Devon’s role as coordinator of the Mississippi River Delta Coalition, understanding that progress requires an abundance of collaboration across the landscape to make the changes and adaptations required for communities and nature to thrive.

This solidarity and connectivity extends beyond the region, with a deep commitment to share and build knowledge with communities across the globe.