Author: Katie Bourque

Secretary Haaland applauded Tribe’s work on behalf of its members and Central Louisiana as she wrapped up tour of federally recognized Louisiana Tribes

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Marksville, LA – (January 17, 2024) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana welcomed U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, to its reservation for a meeting, tour, and lunch at tribal-owned Paragon Casino Resort’s Legends Steak House. During the visit, Chairman and CEO of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, Marshall Pierite hosted the Secretary on a tour through the reservation. Highlights of the tour included a visit to the Tunica Treasure Museum; a tour of the library where the tribe’s partnership with Tulane University was on display through Tunica language immersion workshops; and a visit to key reservation departments like housing development, the Tribe’s police department, and a new organic farm site, Tahch’i Farm.

The tour also stopped at an area of the reservation that has been cleared to build 19 new permanent homes, which was made possible by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant. The $6.4 million grant was awarded to support the Tribe’s priority of creating safe, reliable, and secure housing opportunities for tribal members. The HUD grant has been transformational for tribal members and underscores the Tribe’s ongoing commitment to work with the Biden Administration to create opportunities for all of Central Louisiana.

Another focus of Sec. Haaland’s visit was a stop at the Halimushali ancient burial mounds. The land is a site of important cultural significance, and its ownership was transferred back to the Tribe by the City of Marksville in 2022. This transfer was the byproduct of decades of work between the Tribe and multiple generations of state leadership, marking the first time the land had been in Tribal possession since the early 1800s. Work is currently underway to restore and improve the site and, during the visit, Chairman Pierite stressed the need for additional federal funding to help bolster the work currently underway.

Secretary Haaland spoke about the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent investments in Indian Country through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The two laws are the largest-ever federal investment in Indian country.

“It was an honor to host Secretary Haaland and thank her in person for the historic investments the Biden Administration has made in Indian country that have benefitted Indian country and the communities in which we live,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “Tunica-Biloxi has been bringing opportunity to central Louisiana and with the additional resources we will continue to grow and thrive for years to come.”

The statue will feature water and fire displays to welcome guests in its 30^th year

Paragon Casino Resort is proud to unveil its most recent upgrade – a brand new bald eagle sculpture to greet and dazzle visitors when they enter the Casino Resort’s main entrance.

The eagle statue is 13 feet tall and is mounted on top of a 10-foot-tall structure, which is comprised of 23,000 pounds of boulders. The elaborate sculpture will feature live fire and waterfalls. The entire piece is constructed with high-density foam and covered in a durable fiberglass material, ensuring the statue will be resilient and steadfast – much like its inspiration.

Staying true to its mission to boost Central Louisiana residents and businesses, Paragon has commissioned GibKo Nursery in Bunkie, Louisiana for the sculpture’s design and execution.

“We are always seeking to improve and upgrade Paragon Casino Resort to be the absolute best we can be for our guests,” said Paragon Casino Resort General Manager Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “Having this sculpture completed not only enhances the property for visitors but allows us to spotlight a local business’s expansive talent.”

The new sculpture is part of a property-wide renovation which will be completed in early 2024, and includes upgrades to 190 guest rooms, 24 suites and several common areas around the property.

As Paragon Casino Resort approaches its 30^th anniversary this summer, Casino Resort management has called on its roots to bring the past into the present. The bald eagle is significant to the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, which owns and operates Paragon Casino Resort. The eagle is the primary feature in the tribe’s logo and represents the story of Eagle and The Sun.

According to Tunica-Biloxi, the eagle is a messenger of the tribe’s prayers to the sun, their Creator. The waterfall display of the sculpture represents the mighty Mississippi River, which historically connected the Tunica, Biloxi, Ofo, Avoyel and Choctaw people to tribes as far north as Minnesota and even into Canada. The Mississippi River was a major trade route for tribes and played a tangible role in the expansion of the United States. The live fire feature of the sculpture also has symbolic meaning for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. In Tunica-Biloxi stories, fire possessed the power to shapeshift into men, women and animals.

“This grand sculpture represents three powerful symbols for our tribe: fire, water and the great bald eagle,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This display is now a testament of Tunica-Biloxi’s and Paragon’s efforts to keep relevant the history of our tribe and pass down the culture for generations of tribal members to come.”

The new bald eagle sculpture is now on display in the main driveway of Paragon Casino Resort. Paragon and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe encourage all visitors to stop by and enjoy the live visual performance and learn more about the symbolism of Tunica-Biloxi’s heritage.

Paragon Casino Resort was honored with the Louey Award for Accommodation of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA). The Louey Awards highlight organizations across Louisiana that make outstanding contributions to the state’s tourism industry. The ceremony was held during the LTA’s Annual Meeting at Harrah’s New Orleans.

Accommodation of the Year is presented to a hotel, resort, campground, RV park or bed & breakfast that delivers exceptional levels of service and understands the importance of tourism in Louisiana and the boost it brings to local economies. Paragon Casino Resort won the Louey for Accommodation of the Year for its unwavering dedication to making the resort a first-class, Louisiana-centric experience for visitors.

“Nothing is more important to Paragon Casino Resort than the happiness and satisfaction of our guests,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., General Manager of Paragon Casino Resort. “We have always strived to put Central Louisiana and Avoyelles Parish on the map for tourism, and this Louey Award is the result of 30 years in carrying out and succeeding in that mission. We dedicate this award to all of our team members, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and each person that walks through our doors. Thank you.”

The Louey Award for Accommodation of the Year highlights Paragon’s recent renovation and upgrade of its hotel and casino amenities such as modernizing rooms, suites and elevators. Paragon Casino Resort recently added new machines on the gaming floor, now offering more than 1,000 slot machines and 30 game tables, plus live poker and sports betting. As of October 2022, Paragon Casino was the first casino in Louisiana to offer live, in-person sports betting in its 600 square foot Draft Room sports bar, complete with a TopGolf Swing Suite virtual reality simulator. Other offerings from Paragon Casino Resort include the championship golf course Tamahka Trails, a perfectly-rated RV Park Resort, and three luxurious pools.

The award also commends Paragon Casino Resort for its dedication to providing authentic and exciting Louisiana experiences for visitors, from the ice-cold daiquiris to the Cajun cuisine in the award-winning Market Buffet. Gator Bayou inside Paragon’s atrium was also praised for its commitment to teach visitors about Louisiana’s favorite swamp creatures while also sharing stories and folk songs from the Tunica-Biloxi-Tribe of Louisiana, which owns the casino resort.

In 2024, Paragon Casino Resort celebrates its 30^th year of service to the Avoyelles Parish community. To ensure its team members can live and work in the area, Paragon recently instituted property-wide pay increases, bringing its minimum wage to $11.00 – above the state’s mandated $7.25.

To plan a visit or book a stay, guests can go online to Paragon Casino Resort’s website or call 800-946-1946.

The pay increase is especially significant as Paragon Casino Resort is one of the largest employers in Avoyelles Parish.

Paragon Casino Resort and General Manager Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. are proud to announce pay raises have been approved for associates across the property.

The property-wide rise in wages is an important part of ongoing efforts to put Paragon associates first and provide them with a livable wage in today’s economy. All non-tip positions will be raised from $8.50 an hour to $11.00 an hour—well above Louisiana’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. All positions that receive tips will be boosted by $0.75 an hour. All other non-tip hourly positions will receive rate adjustments of 5% while salaried positions will receive a 3% adjustment.

“We hear it day after day—our visitors love our associates because they put Paragon Casino Resort and its guests first,” said Paragon Casino Resort General Manager Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “We want our associates to know just how much we appreciate them, and that all their hard work does not go unnoticed. Paragon hopes this pay increase will show our appreciation and give our associates a well-deserved financial boost.”

Currently, Paragon Casino Resort is hiring for several positions including, but not limited to: bartenders, security guards, plumbers, electricians, bellhops, cage cashiers, slot floor persons, dealers, hotel room attendants, risk manager, training manager and senior VIP services supervisor. Paragon Casino Resort is an Equal Opportunity Employer that provides opportunities for people with a variety of different educational backgrounds and experience levels in both full-time and part-time positions while providing competitive benefits including medical, dental, 401(k) and life insurance.

For a complete list of open positions and their job responsibilities, you can visit Paragon Casino Resort’s website by clicking here.

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and KALB-TV sponsor Food Drive benefitting the Food Bank of Central Louisiana

The results of the 2023 KALB-TV Christmas Cheer Food Drive are complete, and 82,055 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected from Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, and Vernon parish schools, according to Jayne Wright-Velez, executive director of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Sponsored bythe Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and KALB-TV, local schools participated in the drive to help collect food for the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. The Avoyelles Parish weigh-in took place at Paragon Casino Resort, which is owned by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.

“Paragon Casino Resort proudly supports the Christmas Cheer Food Drive along with our partners at the Central Louisiana Food Bank and KALB,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, General Manager of Paragon Casino Resort and Vice Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “Food insecurity is a growing problem in our community, and we all need to do our part, especially around the holidays, to ensure no neighbor goes hungry. The enduring support of the people of Avoyelles Parish has been instrumental in our growth, and we believe in reciprocating by making a positive impact in our community. Joining forces with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, we wish everyone a joyful holiday season and express our gratitude to all who contribute to this important cause.”

The total amount collected in Avoyelles parish was 10,580 pounds, 12,017 pounds in Grant parish, 5,242 pounds in Natchitoches parish, 31,208 pounds in Rapides parish, and 23,008 pounds in Vernon parish.  

The following schools led their parish in donations:

Avoyelles – Lafargue Elementary (2,442 pounds) and Bunkie High School (4,829 pounds)

Grant – South Grant Elementary School (5,533 pounds), Grant Junior High (568 pounds), and Georgetown High School (1,681 pounds)

Natchitoches – East Natchitoches Elementary School (1,254 pounds), Natchitoches Magnet School (935 pounds), and Natchitoches Central High School (181 pounds).

Rapides – Phoenix Magnet Elementary School (6,417 pounds), Pineville Junior High (3,078 pounds), and Tioga High School (2,816 pounds).  Phoenix Magnet Elementary School was also the top per capita school, collecting 20 pounds of food per student.

Vernon – West Leesville Elementary School (3,084 pounds), Leesville Junior High School (3,054 pounds), and Rosepine High School (7,029 pounds). 

Eight thousand dollars in prize money from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe will be distributed to these schools for their outstanding efforts to help the Food Bank of Central Louisiana.

For more information about the 2023 Christmas Cheer Food Drive, please contact the Food Bank of Central Louisiana at 318.445.2773.

John Barbry brings decades of experience to prestigious organization that seeks to expand opportunities throughout Louisiana  

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is proud to announce that the Director of Development & Programming, John Barbry, has been selected to the Board of Directors of Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH). Barbry will join a dynamic group of servant leaders for the next three years. 

LEH oversees and supports not only Louisiana’s history but also the state’s diverse and vibrant culture. The organization’s mission is to partner with communities, institutions and individuals to explore Louisiana’s rich history and realize every Louisianan’s full potential through the humanities. 

“I am profoundly honored to be part of an organization that works to enrich the body and soul of our community,” said John Barbry. “I look forward to working with a group of like-minded individuals who share that passion.” 

Similar to the mission of LEH, John Barbry has spent years preserving the history of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe for generations to come. He has served as director for the Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) since 2014. In 2016, he was appointed to manage the Tunica-Biloxi Education Department to provide tribal youth with resources needed to stay in school, perform better in school, become college and career-ready, and graduate. He then served as Research Supervisor in the manuscripts division at the Historic New Orleans Collection. Barbry was the first Native American appointed archivist at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in 1993. He earned a B.A. in Music Education from McNeese State University and an M.A. in History from the University of New Orleans. 

“I can think of no better individual than John Barbry for his honor,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “He is dedicated to the history and culture of our tribe and Louisiana, and will bring a high-level of expertise to the LEH Board of Directors. I know he will make the Tunica-Biloxi tribal community proud.” 

According to the LEH, their focus is to work with federal, state and local governments to improve educational outcomes and preserve the state’s cultural traditions. The organization has established a strong reputation with corporations and foundations and is trusted to deliver responsive, sustainable programs for and with Louisianans, such as the now-franchised Prime Time series of programs and 64 Parishes magazine and online encyclopedia. Also joining Barbry to the Board of Directors is Laura Prisco, the Coordinator of Programs and Services for fine arts at St. Tammany Parish Public Schools and is also the Chair of the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs. 

“Since 1971 the LEH has been recognized for its enduring statewide impact, including more than $132 million invested in Louisiana communities,” said Miranda Restovic, executive director and president of the LEH. “We look forward to continuing to seek out new opportunities to serve Louisiana alongside Mr. Barbry and Mrs. Prisco and are grateful for their passion and commitment to our state.” 

Barbry’s term on the LEH Board of Directors started on November 1, 2023.  

‘Chick-Tac-Toe’ is an interactive experience challenging guests to play the classic game of

Tic-Tac-Toe and triumph over a farm bird.

Paragon Casino Resort invites guests to face off against a live chicken in a limited-time experience unlike any other. “Chick-Tac-Toe” allows guests to play the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe against a professionally trained chicken for the chance to win up to $500 free play.

The Casino Chicken relaxes inside its custom-built “Thinkin’ Booth” until a worthy opponent accepts the Chick-Tac-Toe challenge. The challenge then becomes a back-and-forth game marking Xs and Os with the Casino Chicken pecking out its next move thanks to a special punch pad inside the booth. If the guest beats the Casino Chicken, he/she will win a Chick-Tac-Toe T-shirt, special beads and up to $500 free play. If the chicken lays an egg while a guest is playing, the prize for the guest will be $100 free play.

Guests who lose will receive a “second chance” entry form to bring back to the casino every Saturday by 5 p.m. to try to win $250 free play.

“Our promise to any visitor who walks into our casino is that they will leave with a memorable experience and have a great time,” said Paragon Vice President of Marketing Joan Botts.  “Chick Tac Toe will do just that! Our guests will be able to tell all of their friends and family about this fun promotion.”

The chicken challenge begins on Thursday, November 2 and runs through Thursday, December 28. The promotion takes place DAILY, Sundays through Thursdays from 12-8 p.m. and Fridays through Saturdays from 2-10 p.m. Guests will swipe their Club Paragon card at any promotional kiosk to print out their voucher to play the game. The first play requires 75 points, each additional play per day (up to two additional plays) will take 50 points.