Author: Katie Bourque

2024 Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) recognized the best of travel and cultural tourism across Native Nations and communities at its annual Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards. Awardees were announced on October 30, 2024, at the 26th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference held at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana.

“It’s an honor to recognize these Indigenous hospitality industry programs and professionals for all of their incredible achievements,” said Sherry L. Rupert, AIANTA, Chief Executive Officer. “Each honoree epitomizes how Indigenous cultural and heritage tourism programs can successfully attract visitors and grow economic development while celebrating their own heritage and culture, and we congratulate all the award recipients and nominees.”

Every year, AIANTA, the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States, recognizes enterprises and individuals in four categories: Best Cultural Heritage Experience, Excellence in Customer Service, Industry Professional of the Year, and Indigenous Destination of the Year.

Best Cultural Heritage Experience was presented to the Choctaw Cultural Center. Located in Durant, Oklahoma, the Choctaw Cultural Center creates an unforgettable immersive experience from the moment guests drive through one of the largest intact Choctaw prairies on the reservation. Expert tour guides lead guests through exhibitions where they can interact with 14,000 years of Choctaw history and culture through one-of-a-kind life cast exhibits, featuring Choctaw tribal members populating the landscapes. Daily schedules offer guests the opportunity to watch social dancing and stickball demonstrations, with an invitation to participate and learn why these are critical to cultural sovereignty. The Choctaw Cultural Center also holds stickball clinics for children and adults that also integrates the Chahta anumpa (Choctaw language) and hosts tournaments on our competition field. During its first three years, the team has created engaging curriculum and immersive experiences for multiple generations through educational books and children’s magazines. It has established new classes, programs, workshops, events, and activities created around Choctaw Culture, traditions, and core values. 

Excellence in Customer Service – Paragon Casino Resort. As a promise made when Paragon Casino Resort was first founded in 1994, it continues to keep guest satisfaction a top priority. Based in Marksville, Louisiana, the casino resort offers more than 30 tables including a High Limit Room, live poker and sports betting, and more than 1,000 slot machines featuring the latest in gaming technology. To accommodate the young ones, the property boasts a three-screen movie theater, three pools, a supervised play center, Kids Quest, and more. For outdoors lovers, Paragon offers an RV Resort and for the last 13 years it has received a perfect rating from Good Sam Club, an international organization of RV owners. Paragon Casino Resort also stays passionate about providing guests with a cultural experience as well, as it incorporates Native American education and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe across its property.

The Industry Professional of the Year Award was given to Cheryl Trask, Senior Manager of Cultural Retail and Sales for Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism. As senior manager of cultural retail and sales for Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism, Cheryl has been a leader in Indian Country Tourism for more than 20 years. Her tourism career began in the resort industry where she helped build a successful sales program for a premier lake resort in Oklahoma before returning to her roots, her home and her tribe, Cherokee Nation. She joined Cherokee Nation 20 years ago as the tribe built its first casino resort in Catoosa, Oklahoma. In her role of sales manager, Cheryl helped introduce the motor coach and group sales program, which led to hundreds of thousands of guests experiencing Cherokee Nation’s culture infused casino, resort amenities and conference space. Eventually, her passion for Cherokee traditions and values transitioned her away from the casino resort and into a role with Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism where she helped launch a cultural guided tour program. Her mastery of customer service training was instrumental in the development of Cherokee Nation’s tribal gift shops and its first wholly owned museum. Cherokee Nation now boasts seven museum sites each with their own unique chapter in the tribe’s history. In her two-decade tenure with Cherokee Nation, Cheryl has built programs and initiated the operation of more than 10 cultural retail and museum venues.

Indigenous Destination of the Year – Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. Former Mescalero Apache Tribal Chairman Wendell Chino had a vision to develop a ski resort on the Mescalero Apache Tribal lands in the late 1950s. Chairman Chino was successful in his vision and “Apache Ski Resort” was developed in 1961. As a result, Inn of The Mountain Gods Resort and Casino was built in 2005 to help support the Mecca ecotourism and authentic cultural destination experience on the Mescalero Apache homelands. Zip lines travel to the property and are next to a beautiful lake that offers kayaking, swimming, hiking and fishing. The resort and casino are located next to the horse stables, a hunting lodge that supports some of the finest sustainable big game hunting in the world, RV park, cultural museum, and a world-renowned golf course. The destination hosts local authentic art, Indigenous storytelling and is filled with interpretive art, architecture, sculptures, and interpretive signs, making it a beautiful representation of the Mescalero Apache People. 

AIANTA has delivered on its mission over the last 26 years to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values. Most notably, its successful legislative work that led to the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. 

AIANTA continues to address inequities in the tourism system and has served as the national voice for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian nations engaged in cultural tourism, while providing technical assistance, training and capacity building to Native Nations and communities and Native-owned enterprises engaged in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.

Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Native culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.

About AIANTA
For more than 25 years, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Native board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $15.7 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) tourism that honors traditions and values while helping AIANNH businesses become market/export ready for domestic and international markets. Visit www.aianta.org to learn more.   

Baton Rouge, LA — The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has been awarded a $492,490 grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the first-ever Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP). This grant will have a profound impact on the tribe’s cybersecurity, enhancing its infrastructure and making it more resilient to the growing digital threats that Tribal Nations face.

This significant investment is part of a larger $18.2 million allocation by DHS to support Tribal Nations across the United States in managing and reducing systemic cyber risks and threats. The TCGP was established to address the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by Tribal Nations, who have long been under-resourced in this critical area. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is one of over 30 grant recipients, marking the largest number of awards ever provided by DHS to Tribal Nations in a single program.

“The Governor’s Office is thrilled to see the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe leading the way in cybersecurity advancements. This grant is a testament to the strength and resilience of Tribal Nations, and it underscores our commitment to empowering Indigenous communities with the tools they need to protect their digital users. By investing in cutting-edge cybersecurity infrastructure, we are not only safeguarding today’s assets but also paving the way for a secure and prosperous future. Together, we are building a foundation that honors tradition while embracing innovation,” said Chandler, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs.

The funding will establish governance frameworks, identify critical vulnerabilities, and develop a 21st-century cyber workforce within the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. This will address immediate cybersecurity needs and reinforce the tribe’s infrastructure to support long-term sovereignty and resilience.

“Receiving this Tribal Cybersecurity Grant is a significant milestone for our Tunica-Biloxi community. Grants like these are crucial as they help us protect our digital infrastructure and keep our people, culture, and heritage secure in today’s connected world. This support not only ensures our current safety but also strengthens our future, creating a solid foundation for generations to come,” said Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Chairman Marshall Pierite.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is proud to receive this historic grant, which represents a vital step forward in protecting the tribe’s digital assets and ensuring the safety and security of its members in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

For more information on the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program and the full list of awardees, visit: DHS Grant

The funding is part of the Historic Preservation Fund created by the DOI to support the protection of America’s native cultures.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana was recently awarded $75,000 in grant funding for the Language & Cultural Revitalization Program’s Tunica-Biloxi Oral History Project. The oral history project is funded in part by the Tribal Heritage Grant program, through the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

As part of the Tunica-Biloxi Oral History Project, the Language & Cultural Revitalization Program will develop an archival repository of oral histories, cultural workshops and traditional songs captured on digital video, audio and still photography so that all Tribal members have access to their history and culture.

“Grants such as this one from the National Park Service are fundamental in shaping the future of our tribe while also passing down our centuries of history and culture,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. “It’s our solemn vow to our ancestors to keep their legacy alive for generations of tribal citizens to come. As we advance toward a promising future, it is vital that our tribe’s Language & Cultural Revitalization Program receive the funding they need to emphasize that promise to those before us.”

The funding comes from a total of $623,077 in grants for 10 projects across the country, including Tunica-Biloxi’s. All projects will work to preserve historic properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, support comprehensive preservation planning, preserve oral history and cultural traditions, provide training for building a historic preservation program and support cultural and historic preservation interpretation and education.

Administered by the National Park Service, Historic Preservation Fund reserves may be appropriated by Congress to support a variety of historic preservation projects to help preserve the nation’s cultural resources.

“The National Park Service is committed to preserving our cultural heritage and history across the country,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “These grants further that goal by helping American Indian Tribes and Native Alaskan and Hawaiian communities connect with the stories of their past.”

“With the advancement of both time and technology, we need to act now to safeguard our language and culture to cement our history indefinitely,” said John Barbry, Director of Development and Programming. “Grants like this one have a monumental impact on our department—allowing us to achieve our goals in ways we never imagined.

The Language & Revitalization Program was created to establish a structural support for language and culture education, striving to make the Tunica-Biloxi language present throughout the entire community and beyond. The department also keeps an extensive list of online resources to utilize in ongoing education and research of the tribe’s ethnography.

Tribal leaders invite community to gather to raise awareness and support for cancer

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is proud to announce the first annual Healing Tribal Strong 5k Walk/Run, benefitting the American Indian Cancer Foundation. The event will take place on September 28th, 2024, at the Tunica-Biloxi’s Chief Joseph Alcide Pierite Pow Wow Grounds. The day will begin with registration at 7:00 AM, followed by a race start at 8:00 AM.

This event is dedicated to generating awareness and support for individuals supporting a loved one with cancer, those journeying through cancer, and in honor of those we have lost to this disease. The Healing Tribal Strong 5k is more than just a race; it is a celebration of community, resilience, and the strength that comes from standing together.

“We are excited to host the first Healing Tribal Strong 5k and bring our community together to support those affected by cancer,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman and CEO of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. “This event is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of our community and a way to honor the courage of those who are fighting or have fought this battle.”

Participants of all ages are invited to join the event, which will also feature an awards ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the runners and walkers. Runners and walkers who register in advance will receive a t-shirt, cooling rag, and water bottle. Race organizers are calling for vendors and sponsors to participate at various levels. Race Sponsors will receive entries to the race and recognition on materials. Vendors will receive a no-cost opportunity to promote their business/services to race participants after being vetted by race organizers. Vendors should focus on areas of non-profits, government agencies, and nutrition, cancer, and healthy lifestyle groups.

The mission of Healing Tribal Strong is to provide a forum for all tribal families and friends to share experiences, offer support, and foster a sense of unity in the face of the challenges that cancer brings. The Healing Tribal Strong support group meets weekly to share experiences, relax and provide a community for those tribal citizens and their families who are impacted by cancer.

For more information about the event and to register, please visit the Healing Tribal Strong 5k Rez Run Website and for more information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, please visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/.

Originally published by UL Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will offer five new scholarships for incoming freshmen who are citizens of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe.

Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, introduced the UL Lafayette American Indian Scholarship during the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Louisiana Rural and Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit held in July.

“The University has an exceptional partnership with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, and we are pleased to commemorate this special relationship through these scholarships. We are committed to providing students of all backgrounds with a welcoming and supportive learning environment where they can realize their academic and professional dreams. Scholarships such as these enable us to do that,” Savoie said.

Each scholarship, valued at $5,000, is available to first-time freshmen with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA who are citizens of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe from any state. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students and provide a copy of their Tribal Enrollment Card with their application.

The application deadline is Aug. 26, 2024, with scholarships designated for the Fall 2024 semester.

“We appreciate the ongoing efforts to promote education and instill strong values in students, and we look forward to continuing this valuable partnership, benefiting not only the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe but all of Louisiana,” stated Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Chairman Marshall Pierite.

In 2021, UL Lafayette and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe formalized a partnership aimed at advancing the state’s renewable and traditional energy sectors, as well as economic development, workforce training, community development, public health, and computing and information technology.

For more information and to apply, please visit https://louisiana.edu/scholarship/additional-opportunities

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is proud to announce the acquisition of Peerless Cleaners, one of Marksville’s oldest and longest-running businesses. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the Tribe’s ongoing commitment to cultivating economic development opportunities in central Louisiana.

Peerless Cleaners has long been a staple in the Marksville community, providing high-quality cleaning services for nearly 100 years. The building Peerless currently occupies dates to 1910 and was purchased in 1940 by the Regard Family – who still owns and operates the business today – for a “pressing shop.” The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s purchase of this historic business underscores their dedication to preserving local heritage while investing in the region’s future.

Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture, stating, “The acquisition of Peerless Cleaners highlights the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s dedication to economic growth and job creation in central Louisiana. Preserving the stability and continuity of this business is crucial for maintaining Marksville’s vitality and sustainability. We aim to continue expanding our economic footprint not just in Marksville but across Louisiana.”

In addition to continuing the tradition of excellence at Peerless Cleaners, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe plans to complete repairs and restore the building that houses Peerless Cleaners and a historic hotel, with goals to convert the hotel into a museum. The Tribe will retain Peerless Cleaner’s 13 employees and is currently pursuing grant and funding applications to expand services and revitalize the historic organization. 

“In Marksville, we are all one family, cherishing our past and building for our collective future,” said Tony Pierite, President of the Tunica-Biloxi Economic Development Corporation. “These team members and the business they’ve built are now part of our family, and we are building for the future, together.”

This strategic move is part of a broader effort by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe to invest in diverse business ventures that create sustainable growth and enhance the quality of life for central Louisiana and all of Indian Country. The Tribe remains dedicated to exploring new economic development avenues and supporting the local economy through thoughtful and impactful investments.

Paragon Casino Resort and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana contributed $50,000 to the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism (ACT) during the 3^rd annual Louisiana Rural Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit. The donation was made to further their collective mission of giving back to the Central Louisiana region and will be used to continue attracting visitors to Avoyelles Parish.

“It is our duty and responsibility to look out for our community and give back to the people who have helped us achieve so much,” said Paragon Casino Resort General Manager Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “We stand in unity with the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism to entice more visitors to our region. Avoyelles has a lot to offer, and this donation will only help make the parish that much more desirable for locals and tourists.”

The $50,000 check was presented to ACT during LaRuE which is hosted each year by the Tribe and takes place at Paragon Casino Resort. Wilbert Carmouche, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Avoyelles Tourism Commission, delivered a keynote address during the gathering.

“By supporting the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism, Paragon Casino Resort and the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana are helping to promote Avoyelles Parish as a tourist destination through a cherished partnership,” said Wilbert Carmouche, Executive Director of ACT. “This collaboration benefits both the local community and visitors by showcasing the unique attractions and amenities of the area, ultimately boosting tourism and economic growth in the center of Louisiana.”

In addition to presenting Carmouche with the donation, Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite honored the continued partnership between ACT and the Tribe by cloaking him in a Tunica-Biloxi blanket, a custom symbolizing the friendship between the organizations.

“Avoyelles Parish is only as strong as the partnerships created to assure its success,” said Chairman Pierite. “We are immensely grateful for the partnership we have with Mr. Carmouche and the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism and look forward to bettering the parish even more year after year.”

This donation is just one of the ways that Paragon Casino Resort and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe have come together to assist the community. Both have a long history of investing in the communities that surround the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation, which includes fundraising, development conferences, food drives and employment opportunities.

Civic, community and business leaders discussed economic opportunities in Louisiana’s heartland.

Click here for photos

This week, leaders from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana hosted the third annual Louisiana Rural Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana. LaRuE’s dozens of sessions expounded on information regarding economic development opportunities, focusing on healthcare, education, financial and digital literacy, grant applications and how to conduct business with local and tribal governments.

Leaders from across Louisiana gathered to share insight and ideas on how businesses and individuals can benefit from building relationships and creating strategic partnerships with local, state, and national leaders, federal agencies, corporate America and Native American Tribes. Topics included workforce development, agriculture, bridging the digital divide, education, healthcare, grant navigation and more.

With its extensive agenda featuring panelists and keynote speakers, LaRuE successfully stood by its mission to enhance the quality of rural life by connecting those leaders with business owners, professionals, investors and faculty and students from Louisiana universities. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has been a longstanding partner with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Southern University and Northwestern State University, all of whom spoke at the two-day conference.

Originally debuted in 2019, LaRuE’s is held at a critical time for small business owners who are trying to build or rebuild their enterprises in the ever-evolving landscape of rural or agrarian Louisiana, catering to a number of different business ventures and endeavors – from education to healthcare. The event also included a Women’s Empowerment Dinner, featuring a keynote address from Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry.

“Economic development is more than just a series of business transactions; it’s about creating an ecosystem where businesses can flourish, families can prosper, and communities can thrive. For rural Louisiana, economic development means access to better jobs, improved healthcare, advanced educational opportunities and a higher quality of life,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “When we gather together in search of solutions, it ensures our young people can build their futures here, rather than feeling compelled to leave their hometowns for better prospects elsewhere.”

The event is part of the Tribe’s commitment to creating a better path forward, not only for its citizens, but for Louisiana and beyond.

Images within the coloring book feature native Louisiana wildlife and their traditional names in the Biloxi language.

For high-resolution images of the coloring book’s launch, click here.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) are happy to announce an all-new coloring book has been published for educators and students to utilize while having fun learning traditional Biloxi language.

The 64-page educational coloring book depicts native Louisiana wildlife while helping reawaken the Biloxi language. This comes after a similar collaboration in 2022, when the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Language & Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) and LWF released a coloring book primarily for the Tunica language.

“The Tunica-language coloring book was such a success with schools and students across Louisiana that we had to recreate it with the Biloxi language, as well,” said John Barbry, Director of Development & Programming for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “A longstanding mission for the Tribe has been to promote education of our history, culture and language that have been passed down by our elders—and I believe these coloring books do just that while allowing today’s students to have fun while learning.”

The coloring book includes a Biloxi-English translation index, a pronunciation guide and a “Note to Educators” page suggesting how the book connects with Louisiana education standards. Students will find terms within the book that appear in many Biloxi stories. Most prominently, the otter that appears on the cover of the coloring book plays a significant role in many Biloxi stories, especially in “The Otter and the Sun.” Each animal depicted in the book has been highlighted by the LWF as a native species of Louisiana.

“The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe shares our interest and passion for recognizing and preserving Louisiana’s wildlife,” said Rebecca Triche, Executive Director of LWF. “Our collaboration on a second coloring book allows us to educate students about Louisiana’s native wildlife and revive the Biloxi language.”

The book would not have been possible without the hard work of LWF Executive Committee member Marty Floyd and LWF Communications Director Jimmy Frederick. Back in 2021, Floyd got the idea for the initial Tunica-language coloring book and worked diligently to create 59 original illustrations featuring mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and other aquatic animals and insects. The same dedication was shown with the illustrations in the new Biloxi-language coloring book and its publication this year.

Each page has a simple drawing that can be colored, along with the name of the animal in the Biloxi language. A few examples of the many animals featured in the book include an atuki (raccoon), ithaa (deer), momoxka (hummingbird), naxo (alligator), thoxka (gray fox) and yanasa (buffalo).

The books are being distributed by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and can also be found in the gift shop at the Tunica-Biloxi Resort in Marksville. A digital PDF version of the book can be downloaded by clicking here or by visiting the LWF’s website.

Louisiana Wildlife Federation will distribute a copy to each public library in Louisiana and make a printable version available on their website at lawildlifefed.org

A special thank you to the National Wildlife Federation and the Rapides Wildlife Association for helping to underwrite the production of the coloring book.