Shirell Parfait-Dardar was born Shirell Renee' Parfait. She is a writer, known for Into the Unknown (2020) and Facing the Rising Tide: Stories from Coastal Louisiana's Tribes (2013). She is the Traditional Tribal Chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, a traditional dressmaker/clothing designer and a song writer and musician in her spare time. She is one of the founding members of the First People's Conservation Council of Louisiana (2013) and was also an advisor to LA H.B.660 - Act #102, establishing the Native American Commission. She was elected the first Native American Chairwoman of the Louisiana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs Native American Commission (2019). She is an active advocate for coastal restoration and preservation, development and utilization of alternative energy sources, community resiliency, education and human rights. She has been married to Dale Joseph Dardar, Isle de Jean Charles Biloxi Chitimacha Choctaw of Louisiana Tribal Citizen since August 5, 2005. They have four children.