Isleño People in Louisiana

The Isleño, who reside in St. Bernard Parish and nearby areas, are descendants of Canary Islanders who came to the New World and settled in Louisiana between 1778 and 1783. They settled in four areas around New Orleans, and fought the British during the American Revolution.

Some Isleños speak an archaic Spanish dialect, and a few have preserved the décima, a 10-line, a capella style of folk-song. They have been involved in trapping, fishing, and many other water occupations in the marshy part of Louisiana in which they live.

Isleño artists:

Boats

Alfred Perez - Miniature Boat Carver

Charles R. Robin, Jr. - Shrimper and Miniature Boat Maker

Carving

Errol "Fish" J. Dennis - Duck Caller

Alfred Perez - Miniature Boat Carver

Irvan Perez - Decima Singer and Wood Carver

Charles R. Robin, Jr. - Shrimper and Miniature Boat Maker

Foodways

Louise Perez - Isleño and Italian Foodways

Music

Herman V. Gonzales, Sr. - Isleño Guitar Musician

Irvan Perez - Decima Singer and Wood Carver

Occupational

Charles R. Robin, Jr. - Shrimper and Miniature Boat Builder

Storytelling, Humor, and Oral History

Antonia "Toni" M. Gonzales - Storyteller

Wildlife, Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping

Errol "Fish" J. Dennis - Duck Caller

Charles R. Robin, Jr. - Shrimper and Miniature Boat Builder