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.”
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council is seeking interested tribal members eager to make a difference within our tribal government. If you are interested, please find more information here.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is here to help our Tribal Citizens for relief of eviction related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Housing Department is currently assisting all members who are experiencing difficult situations related to rental payments, utility payments, and past due notices due to the COVID-19 Pandemic if they meet the program guidelines for family composition and 80% of the median family income.
We are here to help you and your family stay in your home by providing safe, healthy, and sanitary conditions, and preventing over-crowdedness.
If you or someone in your family meet these criteria regardless of your geographic location, please contact us at 318-240-6446. Requests for applications can be sent via email, fax, USPS mail or can be picked up at the Housing Department located at 135 Yuroni Trail in Marksville.
Frequently Asked Questions Relating to the Upcoming Secretarial Election
Why is this upcoming election being called?
The upcoming election is a Secretarial Election that is being called for the purpose of amending Article V, Section 2, of the Constitution of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The election was requested by the Tribal Council.
What is a Secretarial Election?
A Secretarial Election is a Federal election conducted by the Secretary of Interior under a Federal statute or tribal governing document, such as the Constitution of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. See 25 CFR § 81.4.
Why is the Department of the Interior running the election?
Article XVII, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana states:
This Constitution may be amended by a majority of the enrolled, qualified voters of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, voting in an election authorized for that purpose by the Secretary of the Interior or his authorized representative, provided that at least thirty percent (30%) of those entitled to vote shall cast ballots in such election. No amendment shall become effective until it is approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Such election shall be conducted pursuant to the Secretary’s regulations.
Accordingly, in order to amend the Constitution, an election authorized by the Secretary of Interior and conducted pursuant to the Secretary’s regulations must take place.
How is the Secretarial Election being funded?
Secretarial Elections are Federal elections and are federally funded. See 25 C.F.R. § 81.16(a).
What happens if the constitutional amendment is approved?
If a majority of enrolled, qualified voters vote to adopt the proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary will approve the amendment within forty-five days after the Secretarial Election, at which point the amended language will take effect. See 25 U.S.C. § 5123(d).
What happens if the constitutional amendment is denied?
The current language in Article V, Section 2, of the Constitution of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will remain unchanged.
Will members of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana be disenrolled if the constitutional amendment is adopted or denied?
The Council has not taken a position on that question as they must wait for the outcome of the Secretarial Election to evaluate all available options in the best interest of the tribe.
How will votes be counted?
The Secretarial Election will be carried out by the Secretarial Election Board, composed of a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee and, at least, two tribal members. See 25 C.F.R. § 81.19(c). Secretarial Elections are conducted entirely by mailout ballots. See 25 C.F.R. § 81.35. All enrolled, qualified voters will receive a packet containing registration instructions and relevant information regarding the Secretarial Election. See 25 C.F.R § 81.23, 81.35. Eligible voters must register for the Secretarial Election in order to be able to vote. See 25 C.F.R. § 81.27. All registered voters will then receive a mailout ballot, which will need to be sent and received by the deadline established by the Board. After the deadline, the ballots will be counted under the supervision of the Board, both to determine the results of the vote and to determine whether total voter turnout was sufficient to meet the required 30% standard specified under the Constitution and Federal law. See 25 C.F.R. § 81.38. The Board must then certify the results with all members of the Board present. See 25 C.F.R. § 81.41.
Please feel free to contact a member of the Secretarial Election Committee if you have additional
questions.
Sincerely,
Secretarial Election Committee
Robert Johnson Sr.
(318) 308-6593
avorxj@paragoncasinoresort.com
Elyse Lopez
(318) 500-1783
Tony Pierite
(318) 481-3390
avotpp@paragoncasinoresort.com
Patrick Lopez
(773) 242-0635
Babette Bordelon
(318) 240-0946
Richella Malveaux
(318) 359-1373
The Tribal Council and I are excited to unveil a new feature on our Tribal website, the Citizen’s Portal. The portal will only be accessible to Tribal members and will create a way for you to stay informed on the Tribe.
The goal of the Citizen’s Portal is to make it easier for all of our tribal members to stay involved in Tribal matters with the hope of building a tribe of many. In this portal you can expect to find important and confidential items like council meeting minutes and information on funds, programs and resources only available to you, our citizens.
In addition, this portal will house other resources, including entrepreneurial opportunities and educational information. You’ll also begin to see more video updates from me and the Tribal Council on the latest developments for the Tribe and our progress.
My hope is that this Citizen’s Portal increases our transparency and communication. Below you will find the steps to create your account. Please follow all of these steps and reach out to our Membership Director, Leslie Bonnette, if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Chairman Marshall Pierite
Registration will require:
Please note – The Citizens Portal contains financial and other sensitive information that should not be shared with non-tribal citizens. The Citizens Portal is intended for tribal citizens only and a tribal roll number will be required to create a login. For this reason, spouses, parents and guardians who are not tribal citizens will not be permitted to access the portal.
Directions on setting up your account:
To access your account from the Tunica-Biloxi website’s home page:
If you have any questions or need assistance getting access to the portal, please contact our Membership Director, Leslie Bonnette at LBonnette@tunica.org.
