Los Isleños Heritage and Cultural Society was organized in 1976 in an effort to preserve the culture and history of the Canary Islanders who settled in Louisiana between the years 1778 and 1783. The Isleños, or Islanders, were a hearty group of pioneers who braved the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean and the marshes of Louisiana to mold St. Bernard Parish and other areas of the state into livable and productive communities. 

The Society has made much progress in spreading the Isleño word over the years. In addition to establishing a museum, annual Isleño Fiestas are held with attendance increasing each year. Museum Days are held annually to give area student hands-on knowledge of the Isleños and their way of life, complete with palmetto huts depicting the first homes the settlers occupied. Three monographs and a cookbook have been published and three videos have been produced. Nunez Community College houses the Society’s collection of over 100 oral history tapes.

$1000 Isleño Scholarship Available

The St. Bernard Parish Los Isleños Heritage and Cultural Society announced that application s are now being accepted for the 2008 Isleño descent and a 2008 high school graduate with a current GPA of 2.5

Isleños are descendants of Canary Islanders who settle in St. Bernard Parish between 1778 and 1783. Applicants must complete an application showing their Isleño descent and submit a 500 word essay entitled "WHAT MY ISLEÑO HERITAGE MEANS TO ME".

Applications and rules are available at the local high school for enrolled students, or may be obtained by calling Laura Sullivan at (504) 682-5989. The deadline to submit applications and essays is March 31, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.