Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Language & Culture Youth Camp, originally scheduled for June 8-12, 2020, has been cancelled. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution for our campers and counselors. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to when we can gather again safely in the future.
Dear Citizens of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana,
The global pandemic of Novel Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has hit our home state of Louisiana hard with an infection rate that is exceeding the rest of the country. We now must take urgent additional steps to protect our Community.
After careful deliberation, and in consultation with healthcare authorities and our local, state and federal partners, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council advises all Tribal Members to self-isolate by remaining at home for a period of at least two weeks. Please only leave your home for emergencies, such as seeking necessary medical attention or to purchase essential goods and services. Also, please refrain from any unnecessary gatherings. Tribal members are allowed to vote on April 5th for the Tribal Council elections, however.
We recognize this stay-at-home request, along with prior orders closing schools, canceling Tribal events and enacting other restrictions, impacts each of our daily lives. Everyone has seen the devastation in communities where COVID-19 has become prevalent. We must do everything we can to stop the spread of this illness to protect our elders, children and fellow Citizens. Lives are at stake.
The good news is we as individuals can do our part to help break the chain of virus transmission by doing something simple: staying at home. This will help prevent Tribal and regional healthcare facilities from becoming overwhelmed with patients requiring attention.
This is a time for smart action, not fear or panic. Measures already enacted have closed or canceled non-essential Tribal offices and events and eliminated non-essential travel by Tribal employees. Please check Tribal and State websites for the latest on services and programs.
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a monumental task, but this is something we can – and must – do together. Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses and other members of the medical community who are fighting at all hours to contain the spread of COVID-19 and treat those who have tested positive. Thank you, also, to the first responders, essential personnel and employees who are joining in this effort to protect our community. The small sacrifice we make together will help ensure our community emerges from this challenge stronger and more unified than ever.
Sincerely,
Chairman Marshall Pierite
In an effort to meet the needs of the large Native American population in the Houston area and their respective Tribal members, The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana based out of Marksville, LA and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas based out of Livingston, TX are opening the American Indian Center of Houston. The grand opening of this center, which will be located at 2000 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 550, Houston, TX 77077, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 12 p.m.
To oversee its operations, Sam Houston State University graduate and Tunica-Biloxi Tribal member, Nikki Barbre-McDonald has been hired as the Director of the American Indian Center of Houston.
“I am honored to be a part of the opening of the American Indian Center of Houston. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe saw a need in the greater Houston area for not only our members, but for all Native Americans,” said Nikki McDonald, Director of the American Indian Center.
Through the Center, both tribes will provide a variety of services for Native Americans in the area including Alabama-Coushatta’s Employment and Training Program, which provides employment and training services to Native Americans/American Indians, Native Hawaiians and Native Alaskans that reside within the 121 county of the State of Texas.
“I am confident that the Center will be impactful for not only our Tribal members but for all Native Americans in the Houston area,” said Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Marshall Pierite. “We’re grateful that Alabama-Coushatta is joining us in this endeavor. Together, we can achieve our shared mission of improving the lives of Native Americans throughout the country on enhanced capacity.”
Due to the growing population of Native Americans in Harris and surrounding counties, the two Tribes are striving to become more accessible to families in these areas. According to Jeremy Zahn, Tunica-Biloxi Council Member, there are an estimated 70,000 Native Americans residing in the southeast Texas region today.
“We are exploring options for a variety of federal grants, partnerships with other tribes, and working with local non-profits to assist in meeting the needs of our underserved communities,” said McDonald.
The center hopes to obtain federal grants to promote easier access to federal services that are often unavailable to Native American families living away from the 326 Indian reservations scattered throughout the United States. Until then, the center will offer educational workshops and health fairs to promote the well-being of the Native American community.”
In the future, Tunica-Biloxi elder, Anna Farris, believes the center will become a breakthrough for the Houston community. “We are helping our youth move forward for our future, while our past is still being taught and not forgotten.”
For more information on the American Indian Center of Houston, contact Nikki McDonald at (346)374-8516 or NMcDonald@tunica.org.
Tunica-Biloxi Police Chief Re-Appointed to Commission
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is proud to announce that Gov. John Bel Edwards has re-appointed Chief Harold Pierite to the State Police Commission. Pierite, who was nominated by Loyola University, will represent the 5th Congressional District, which covers most of the northeastern and central portions of Louisiana and includes major cities like Monroe and Alexandria.
The State Police Commission is comprised of seven members that have exclusive jurisdiction and final authority over the administration of the state police service. The commission’s purpose is to serve as an impartial review board that authorizes and resolves State Police Commission Rules in order to regulate state police personnel activities, while also hearing appeals from hired, full-time law enforcement officers.
“I’m honored that Gov. Edwards continues to instill his trust in me to fulfill this role,” said Pierite. “I promise to serve the 5th Congressional District of Louisiana to the best of my abilities and to consistently and effectively perform my duties as a member of the commission.”
Pierite serves as board member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and has been a member of the tribal council for more than 15 years. He currently serves as the chief of police for the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department and has done so for more than 20 years. He is a 1992 graduate of the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy and received his Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in the same year. Prior to his role as chief of police with the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department, Pierite was employed as a Mansura patrol officer, Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol officer and a Tunica-Biloxi police officer.
