Interviewer(s): Scott Kennedy; Joanna Stone; Betsy Plumb. Dulac, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I was referred to Mr. Antoine ﾓTeeﾔ Francis by his sister Corine Paulk. He and his wife told me that he had had a stroke the previous year that made it difficult for him to remember the details of his work and to completely understand my questions. Mary helped us with parts of the conversation, and it seemed to me that he could figure out my questions better if they were asked in French. It appeared to trouble him that he could not remember well enough to give me more information, but we had a pleasant conversation despite some of the communication difficulties.

The second interview was conducted as part of the study of the links between WWII and the offshore industry. Tee's sister, Corinne Paulk set up this interview and brought Tee to the church for the interview. This interview focuses mainly on his childhood and the almost five years he spent in the Army during WWII. During the interview he was wearing a badge designed for Native WWII veterans.

Antoine Francis is Houma Indian and was born and raised in Dulac, Louisiana. Throughout his life he worked as both a tugboat captain and as a fisherman, often following seasonal work. As a tugboat captain he transported barges carrying oil and equipment both in and out of the Gulf of Mexico. He worked for Golper Brothers for ten and a half years without missing a single day, and retired from Western Company at the age of 63. He now lives with his wife in Dulac.