Author: Alex J.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow Committee has decided to cancel our Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow, previously scheduled for May 22-25, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are saddened that this celebration of our culture is on hold for another year, we will continue to celebrate our rich culture through our extensive virtual programming, including language classes, and Tribal craft workshops. The health and safety of Tunica-Biloxi citizens and guests is the highest priority to Tribal leadership, and we hope we are able to reconvene soon. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this ongoing pandemic. We look forward to gathering with you all very soon!

Marksville, LA. – (Jan. 21, 2022) – The Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame (LJHF) has announced that Tunica-Biloxi Police Chief Harold Pierite, Sr. will be inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame on June 3, 2022. Inductees are chosen based on their hard work, commitment and dedication to improving their communities and the lives of those they serve. This honor is LJHF’s greatest recognition and is given to inductees each year who serve above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the public for justice, civil rights and the protection of the public.

“Our TribalPolice Department is a vital part of keeping our community safe and we have been grateful to have Chief Pierite at its helm,” says Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “He is an invaluable asset to the Tunica-Biloxi people, and we are honored that he is being recognized for his dedication to our citizens and as an outstanding figure in our parish and state’s criminal justice system.”

Chief Pierite has a long history of dedicated service of serving his community. He has been a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department for more than 30 years and has served as a member of the Tunica Biloxi Tribal Council for more than 20 years. Prior to his current role as the Tunica-Biloxi Chief of Police, Pierite served as a police officer for both the Tunica-Biloxi Police as well as an Avoyelles Parish Police

Chief Pierite has worked diligently in the tribal community to ensure citizens are well cared for and safe. Under his direction, the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department offers community support events and programming to engage citizens of all ages and foster a sense of community among neighbors and relatives of the Tribe.

“I am honored and blessed to be recognized by the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame,” says Tunica-Biloxi Chief of Police, Honorable Harold Pierite, Sr. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in service to our community and have a deep passion for serving each and every tribal citizen in our jurisdiction. The Tribal Council and my fellow officers at the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department have been extremely supportive of me during my tenure, and I could not have accomplished this without them.”

John Barbry, Director of Development and Programming for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, honored for contributions to cultural preservation of Tunica-Biloxi legacy

Marksville, LA. – (Mar. 15, 2022) –John Barbry, the Director of Development and Programming for the Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) and Education Department for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, was recently honored by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities as their 2022 Champion of Culture as part of the organization’s 37^th Humanities Awards. The Champion of Culture award is bestowed to individuals or organizations that have made a lasting mark through their support and promotion of Louisiana’s cultural resources.

“The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is honored to have such an incredible culture bearer among us,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “In his many years of service to our people and our heritage, Mr. Barbry has been pivotal in fostering the preservation of the Tunica language and culture of our ancestors and allowing tribal citizens to learn from for generations to come.”

One highlight of Barbry’s storied career is assisting in the cataloging of the “Tunica Treasure,” a then-lost trove of tribal artifacts dating back to the early 18^th century, prior to its transfer from storage from the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans. In 1993, he was the first Native American archivist appointed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.

“This was a chance to preserve who we were for future generations,” said Barbry, “I am grateful that I was able to take part in such an important endeavor that will have a lasting impact on Tribal citizens.”

As director of the LCRP, Barbry oversaw the language apprenticeship program, which allows tribal members to become fluent speakers and instructors of the Tunica language. This program was funded by a $748,200 grant from the Administration for Native Americans, which was procured thanks to the efforts of Barbry and the leadership of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe.

In pursuit of cultural preservation, Barbry led the LCRP in forming a partnership with the American Philosophical Society to work on the Indigenous Language Manuscript Interface project. This project created an archives-based, open-source platform to allow researchers to navigate and view digitized original pages of manuscripts written in endangered languages, focusing on Tunica language notebooks from the 1930s.

As an advocate for presenting the history of his tribe to others, Barbry is responsible for the creation of the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow, an annual cultural gathering that brings together Native American tribes from across the United States to share in tribal comradery and celebrate their tribes’ customs and practices.

Programs under his purview include the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Summer Camp, an immersive program that teaches tribal youth the Tunica language using traditional songs, stories and activities that reinforce the usage of Tunica words. The LCRP also hosts cultural workshops on the traditions and crafts of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe.

Barbry has worked diligently to ensure that the education of the Tribes’ youth is supported in all facets. He has secured multiple education grants to continue and expand services, such as in-person and online tutoring, education counseling and other services to support tribal youths. He also worked to ensure that students had the necessary resources to learn from home through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“John’s achievement is a reflection of his passion and love of our tribal heritage,” said Tribal Council Member Bobby Pierite. “It is a great honor that we have John to rely on to preserve the legacy of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe for the next generation of tribal citizens.”

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About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana:
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near Marksville, where they were skilled traders and entrepreneurs. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,500 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received federal recognition in 1981 for its reservation within the boundaries of Louisiana. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. Through its compact, negotiated by the late Tribal Chairman Earl J. Barbry Sr. and the State of Louisiana, the Tribe has assisted local governments in the area with its quarterly distribution of funds, totaling more than $40 million over two decades. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit www.tunica.org and “like” us on Facebook. 

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe announces the new Tunica-Biloxi COVID Economic Rescue Program for Tribal-Member Businesses. Qualifying applicants may be eligible for economic support and/or reimbursement of costs in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency. Because funding is limited, a qualifying applicant will receive no more than $15,000 (amount has to be justified) related to this program. Applicants must complete the COVID Economic Rescue Program for Tribal-Member Businesses application.

Eligibility for Tribal Member-Owned Businesses

• Businesses must be owned by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Member and spouse.
• The tribal-member business has to be a measurable source of income for the tribal member household (at least 25% of income has to be derived from the business entity).
• Must have less than 50 part-time or full-time employees prior to March 11, 2021 and in operation prior to March 11, 2021.
• Must be able to demonstrate they have faced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Required Documents

• Tunica-Biloxi COVID Economic Rescue Program for Tribal-Member Businesses Application (Within the application, a detailed narrative of how the business was negatively impacted due to COVID-19 will be required. A business requesting future expenditures shall provide a detailed justification of those expenditures and how those expenditures will assist the business to recover).
• Business License or Certificate of Formation.
• Copies of invoices and checks issued pertaining to reimbursement requests associated with qualified expenses due to COVID-19.
• Most recent tax filing (preferably 2020 tax filing).
• IRS W-9 form.

Certificate of Preference Eligibility (TERO Office) is not required but encouraged.

For examples of business licenses or certificates of formation, click here.

Filing of Application

A tribal member shall request an application from Jessica Barbry, the employee assigned to coordinate this program. Application submissions may be either emailed, hand-delivered, or mailed to Jessica Barbry. For email submissions, please send the application to jabarbry@tunica.org. For mail submissions, please submit the application to the following address:

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
Attn: Jessica Barbry, Budget & Data Analyst
150 Melacon Road
Marksville, LA 71351

Only applications that are fully completed and include all required documents will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If the application and required documents are received by mail, the date of receipt will be the postmarked date.

Questions regarding this application may be submitted in writing to Jessica Barbry at the above address or by email jabarbry@tunica.org.

Relationships are built on the foundation of trust and respect, but at times it’s hard to understand how to clearly communicate this to your partner.

Teen Power is hosting a Zoom workshop on January 22, 2022, for teenagers in grades 9-12, to learn skills that can help them develop healthy and happy relationships. To sign up, please contact Paulette at pvoiselle@tunica.org.

The holidays are right around the corner! This year, a holiday ham will be delivered to each Tunica-Biloxi head of household.

Hams will be delivered Dec. 16-17 courtesy of your Tribal Council, Elders’ Council, Youth Council and the entire Tunica-Biloxi Staff!

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Non-Emergency Transportation Services (TB-NETS) is expanding! We now service eligible citizens enrolled across all areas, local and non-local.

How it works:

Local eligible citizens (Avoyelles & Rapides) will contact TB-NETS to schedule transportation services.

Non-local eligible citizens will be eligible for medical transportation reimbursement when using public transportation services.

Call 318-240-6449 or 319-240-6444 for eligibility requirements.

Tribal Citizens,

As you may be aware, a new variant of the Novel Coronavirus has developed and has now spread to the United States, with the first cases stateside being found in the last few days. We must stand vigilant in protecting our community.  While the Tribal Council continues to monitor the news on this new variant, I want to implore our people to take the necessary precautions, such as maintaining personal social distance and wearing a mask when appropriate. I also encourage everyone to take advantage of the services provided through the Tribal Health Center, to further protect yourself and your loved ones. 

I strongly encourage everyone who can to take the vaccine and booster, if available. Additionally, if you feel like you are developing symptoms, get tested at a medical facility immediately. 

To make an appointment with a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Health Center, please call (318) 240-6435.

Sincerely,

Chairman Pierite

The holidays are right around the corner! This year, a holiday turkey and ham will be delivered to each Tunica-Biloxi head of household. Turkeys will be delivered Nov. 18-19 and Hams will be delivered Dec. 16-17 courtesy of your Tribal Council, Elders’ Council, Youth Council and the entire Tunica-Biloxi Staff!

Marksville, La. – (Oct. 27, 2021) –Paragon Casino Resort recently made a $25,000 contribution to United Way of Central Louisiana to assist in their continued Hurricane Ida recovery efforts. The donation will be used to support the organization in their mission of helping residents of Louisiana as they continue to recuperate from the devastating effects of the Aug. 29 storm.   

“We take pride in the ability to provide these funds to the hurricane relief effort in our community,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, which owns Paragon Casino Resort. “Paragon Casino Resort has been a source of pride for Marksville and all of Central Louisiana as an economic driver of the region. We look forward to the continued recovery efforts and are happy to lend a hand.”

Since its grand opening in 1994, Paragon Casino Resort maintains a positive economic impact on Avoyelles Parish and the surrounding communities. The casino and entertainment destination is the number one employer in the region, with over 700 associates currently on staff, and is a source of pride for all Central Louisianians. Paragon Casino Resort also recently launched the first in-person sports betting opportunity in the state at The Draft Room, their newest amenity.

“We are grateful for the partnership of Paragon Casino Resort in creating stronger communities,” said Michelle Purl, Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Central Louisiana. “Together we can make a difference for those who need us most.”