From February 11-13, the Tunica-Biloxi Education Program (TBEP) hosted a 3-day train-the-trainer course on how to develop a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Tikahch to Gary Ragen, Homeland Security Program Coordinator from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, for facilitating the training. We are also grateful to Bill Bischof of FEMA for his support in coordinating this event and the Marksville Fire Department for participating.
See KALB coverage of the Basketry Summit. See more photos from the Summit here.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Revitalization Program hosted the 3rd Annual Basketry Summit. Weavers from regional American Indian communities demonstrated southeast basket traditions using long leaf pine needle, river cane and palmetto. The Summit was an informal forum allowing weavers to talk about their own technique and elements of their culture represented in the craft. The Summit also included a presentation from guest speaker Dustin Fuqua, Chief of Resource Management at Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
View WVUE coverage about the Tunica language. Also covered by WAFB.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It’s been more than a half century since anyone could speak the language of Louisiana’s Tunica-Biloxi tribe. But thanks to the notes and recordings of early linguists, the tribal leaders are now teaching their language in hopes of bringing it back to life.
After a full day in school, these young members of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe in Marksville are trying to learn a second language. A language that was once spoken fluently by their great, great ancestors
“We come to work you know every day planning lessons creating new materials in order to teach and to share with our tribal community,” said Elizabeth Mora.
Mora and her mother are helping to guide the re-introduction of the Tunica language, which was helped by an old text and dictionary, created by a linguist in the 1930s and saved by a grandfather of Donna Pierite’s husband.
“We’ve been chosen to do this. It is a gift a spiritual gift that’s been passed on,” Pierite said.
Linguists, including a team from Tulane University, have helped to modernize the Tunica language. They use old Tunica words and imagine how those might have evolved throughout the centuries.
“So for example, pahita is the word for lightning,” said Tyler Whitaker. “We’re also using it for electricity and for anything that’s digital. And the word for to think is niyu. And so we have pahita niyu is an electric thinker or a computer.”
The last known fluent speaker of the Tunica language was a tribal chief named Sesostrie Youchigant. He was recorded in the 1930s singing one of the tribal songs. This and other old wax recordings and linguists’ notes are the holy grail of reconstructing the language.
“It uncovers things about our culture that we would never know if we didn’t know the Tunica language,” said John Barbry.
Beyond the class, lessons are being taken online. And videos – like this Halloween favorite – are helping to stir interest with today’s youth.
“It’ll probably be for a long time us just knowing phrases and greetings and learning how to apply the language in everyday life. And for some of us that are older, we may never be fluent, but we’ll have a knowledge of the language and we’ll have a knowledge of our culture,” Barbry said.
The creativity and dedication of linguists, teachers and these students will determine if their ancestors’ language will ever be spoken again by Tunica-Biloxi families.
You can learn more about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana at the tribes cultural center and museum in Marksville.
Marksville, La. – (Oct. 24, 2018) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has announced that it has formalized an agreement with a subsidiary of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, to serve as the operational partner for Paragon Casino Resort located in Marksville, La. The five-year contract will enable MGE to take a larger role in the operations and management of Paragon.
The relationship with MGE began as a consulting agreement with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in May 2016. Since then, the Connecticut-based organization has provided gaming, hospitality and entertainment consulting services to Paragon and assisted with a full refresh of the brand and facilities. Improvements included new, Mississippi River themed carpet throughout the gaming floor, additional slot machines, re-designed billboards, updated collateral and more. With the newly-signed agreement MGE’s subsidiary will manage all gaming, entertainment and hospitality of the casino resort.
“Paragon is a driving force in the local community and surrounding region, “said Tunica Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “We are confident that our agreement with representatives of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment will enable us to be a significant economic engine for the community and the Tunica Biloxi Nation for generations to come.”
“Soon after our Federal Recognition, we were motivated by Senators McCain and Inouye of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to ‘pay it forward’, and to use our good fortune to assist our brother and sister tribes across Indian Country,” said Kevin Brown “Red Eagle,” Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. “This management agreement is us making good on the promise to do just that, and is an example of how we can work together to sustain our good fortune as we exercise our sovereignty. We are excited and honored to partner with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, and we are thankful to the NIGC for their favorable receipt of our proposal to manage the Paragon Casino in the Mohegan Way.”
“Paragon has been an economic driver in Avoyelles Parish for 24 years, providing jobs and entertainment to the community,” said Tunica-Biloxi Vice Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “We’re looking forward to expanding that reach and impact to our community.”
“Through our extended partnership with MGE, we hope to continue to enhance the Paragon experience for visitors and guests,” said Jody Madigan, General Manager of Paragon Casino Resort. “MGE has already assisted Paragon greatly over the past two years and we look forward to a bright future with their increased involvement.”
Opened in 1994, the Paragon has both adult and family-friendly entertainment options with an impressive lineup of luxury amenities and attractions including a hotel with more than 500 rooms, full-service spa and salon, 18-hole golf course with a fully stocked pro-shop and grillroom, indoor tropical pool with a swim-up bar, a soaring retail atrium with three shops, a “living” bayou and alligator encounters in the lobby and a three-screen cinema. Additionally, Paragon’s Atrium Bar is the region’s only ice bar and the resort boasts seven restaurants, a daiquiri bar and a full-service RV resort with 205 slips and 30 cabins. Entertainment is hosted weekly in its Mari Showroom and the facility offers over 75,000 square feet of meeting space for large events and groups.
MGE is the owner, developer and/or manager of integrated resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania and Northern Asia. Paragon Casino Resort is the first facility in Louisiana to be managed by MGE.
To learn more about Paragon Casino Resort, visit www.paragoncasinoresort.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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About Paragon Casino Resort
Since opening its doors in 1994, Paragon has strived to provide the most entertaining gaming destination in the south. Over the past 24 years, Paragon’s amenities and services have been expanded to create the ultimate gaming experience. The best is yet to come.
Paragon features an impressive lineup of luxury amenities and attractions, including a 531-room hotel; full-service spa and salon; 18-hole golf course with a fully stocked pro-shop and grillroom; indoor tropical pool with a swim-up bar; a soaring retail atrium with “living” bayou and live alligators; three-screen cinema; Atrium Bar with an ice bar; seven restaurants; daiquiri bar; full-service RV resort with 205 slips and 30 cabins; Kids Quest child care activity center; Cyber Quest arcade; over 75,000 square feet of meeting space; and three retail shops.
With more than 1,600 Las Vegas-style slot machines and over 64,000 square feet of gaming action, Paragon also features over 44 table games, including Craps, Blackjack, Roulette and an eight-table poker room. Paragon also has a free player’s club membership program.
Paragon Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. For more information, please visit www.paragoncasinoresort.com and follow Paragon Casino Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
About Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) is a commercial gaming company headquartered in Uncasville, Connecticut at the home of its flagship property, Mohegan Sun. MGE is owner, developer, and/or manager of integrated resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Northern Asia. MGE owns and operates Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA and New England Black Wolves, a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. For more information on MGE and our properties, visit www.mohegangaming.com.
On Tuesday, October 9, the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) hosted a tribal leader’s reception at the 2018 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The theme of the reception was honoring the outstanding leaders and advocates of the tribal government gaming industry. Among those being honored was Commissioner Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Gaming Commission, Rudy Wambsgans III.
“The fact that Indian gaming by many metrics has eclipsed commercial gaming in its share of the gaming landscape is significant and due to the regulation and innovation of Indian country,” said Jonodev Chaudhuri, Chairman of National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). “It took leadership and warriors for many, many decades to make that possible.”
The National Indian Gaming Association is an inter-tribal association of federally recognized Indian Tribes united with the mission of protecting and preserving tribal sovereignty and the ability of Tribes to attain economic self-sufficiency through gaming and other forms of economic development.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will host an exclusive film screening of a new Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary series, “Native America.” This event is free and open to the public and will serve as an exclusive look at the series before it hits screens across the nation.
To tie the Tribe into the context of the series, Tunica members met with Louisiana Public Broadcasting to film a small segment on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s rich history. This segment includes interviews with Tribal members and shots of the Cultural and Education Resources Center (CERC) Museum. This segment will air in conjunction with the series.
“Native America” is a four-part PBS series that reveals some of the most advanced cultures in human history and the Native American people who created them. It also outlines the legacies that Native American ancestors have left that remain unbroken to this day and the unique systems of science, art and writing that they created.
The screening will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.
Multipurpose Room at the Cultural and Education Resources Center (CERC)
150 Melacon Road Marksville, LA 71351
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2NuD3lb
MARKSVILLE, LA. – (Sept. 18, 2018) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has announced Tyler Whitaker as the new linguist for the Tribe’s Language and Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP).
“As our linguist, Tyler will play a critical role in keeping the language alive and preserving our culture,” said John Barbry, director of development and programing for the Tunica-Biloxi LCRP program. “We are thrilled for Tyler to join our team and to assist with the continued efforts to revitalize our language.”
Whitaker has a master’s degree in Linguistic Anthropology from Southern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from Middle Tennessee State University. For the past three years, Whitaker has worked as a Contributing Linguist and Assistant Teacher at the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Camp. Through this role, Whitaker updated and checked for errors in the Tunica language databases and developed games, activities and lesson plans using the language.
“It is an honor to take on this new role and to be a part of this journey of restoring the Tunica language,” said Tyler Whitaker. “I am very excited to apply my passions for anthropology, linguistics and research to continue to help the Tunica community.”
As the program’s linguist, Whitaker will promote the understanding and usage of the Tunica language throughout the Tribe and to the community. Some responsibilities will include developing Tunica language resources, creating lesson plans and implementing cultural activities to promote the learning of the Tunica and Biloxi languages.
Through various programs, classes and activities, the LCRP works to restore the Tunica language and to keep cultural traditions alive. The revitalization of the Tunica language began back in 2010 when council member Brenda Lintinger reached out to Tulane University’s Linguistics Department to gauge the university’s interest in assisting the tribe in gathering decades-old research materials and documents. Since then, the Ethnologue has updated the status of the Tunica language from “dormant” to “reawakened” reflecting ongoing revitalization efforts.
Recently, a grant of $748,200 was awarded to the Tribe by the Administration for Native Americans. The grant will give the Tribe the resources needed to continue their efforts of revitalizing the language by hiring five full-time Tunica language apprentices in addition to Whitaker’s role as linguist.
Funds from the Administration for Native Americans will enable increased training and fluency.
MARKSVILLE, La. – (Aug 13, 2018) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council recently announced that the Tribe has been awarded a $748,200 grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). These funds will be dispensed over a three-year period and will support the Language and Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) in training language apprentices to become fluent speakers and instructors of the Tunica language.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Tribe, our people and our rich culture,” said John Barbry, director of development and programming for the program. “In 2017, the Tunica language was recognized as ‘reawakening’ following years of hard work by our people and linguistic partners. We are extremely grateful to ANA for the support in continuing these efforts.”
Council member Brenda Lintinger reached out to Tulane University’s Linguistics Department, specifically to Dr. Judith Maxwell, back in 2010, to gauge the university’s interest in assisting the tribe to gather decades old research materials and documents. Lintinger’s theory was that if the materials could be updated and reformatted to make them more easily accessible to tribal members, it would facilitate the rebirth of the Tunica language which had not been spoken fluently since before the death of Sesostrie Youchigant, the last noted speaker of Tunica in the mid-20th century.
“This is a dream transformed into a profound reality,” acknowledged Council Member Lintinger. “To hear our children speaking Tunica during weekly classes and the summer language camp is something we never thought to experience. This whole process, working with Tulane and Dr. Maxwell’s team and witnessing our children speak the words of our ancestors, continues to inspire all of us with Kuhpani Yoyani Luhchi Yoroni, the Tunica Language Working Group! The ANA grant will help us to further the objectives of the project, to bring the Tunica language into the homes of all our tribal families.”
There is still a long road ahead to meet the goals of their 15-year master plan for the language. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe currently has 50 speakers but none that are fluent in the language. The grant will enable training of additional, higher-level speakers and will help to expand their language education efforts into a sustainable program which will focus on tribal youth.
“We believe that in order to build for our future, we must cherish our past,” said Tunica Biloxi Chairman, Marshall Pierite. “By educating Tribal youth on the importance of our traditions, we can bridge the gap between generations and sustain our culture for years to come.”
Tunica language apprentices will participate in language classes, one-on-one instruction, independent study, cultural life-ways workshops, language camps and outreach events in order to earn their certification at the end of the three-year period. Instructors will conduct Tunica language classes for Tribal youth as a way to strengthen their sense of identity and community, generate knowledge of the language and lower the extreme risk factors that affect them.
MARKSVILLE, LA. – On Tuesday, Sept. 11, Paragon Casino Resort will present a donation of $50,000 to the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury on behalf of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The presentation will take place at Avoyelles Parish Courthouse at 6 p.m. Funds from the donation will be used to support the Police Jury’s efforts to improve the welfare and quality of life of Avoyelles Parish citizens.
“We are thankful for the dedication of our local Police Jury and hope that this donation enables them to continue their good work in on our community,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite.
The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury serves as the foundation for the parish’s local government by consistently striving to make Avoyelles a better and safer place to live. It serves as a behind-the-scenes mechanism to maintain the way of life of community residents. In addition, the Police Jury is responsible for maintaining parish infrastructure, enforcing parish ordinances and providing a host of other local services.
“The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has been a godsend for the Police Jury and we look forward to our continued relationship,” said Colonel Charles B. Jones. “These funds will be used to support our efforts in meeting the needs of the parish.”
In addition to the Police Jury donation, Paragon Casino Resort made a donation to the Avoyelles Parish Justice Center and the Avoyelles Parish School Board on behalf of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Altogether, Paragon and the Tribe will donate $150,000 to Avoyelles Parish entities.
The Police Jury is an essential part of our community and we are honored to partner with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe to support their efforts,” said General Manager of Paragon Casino Resort Jody Madigan. “We continuously strive to give back to Avoyelles Parish and this is an excellent opportunity to support the safety and upkeep of our local community.”
View KALB coverage of the grant for language preservation.
MARKSVILLE, La. (KALB) – The sounds of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe have been preserved for hundreds of years and are now slipping through the cracks with each generation.
The Marksville-based Native American tribe has spent decades creating and providing resources and programs to help keep their language and culture alive.
Before partnering with Tulane University in 2010, the language was passed down by Tunica families. But now, the tribe is in need of some help.
After applying for a grant from the federally-funded Administration for Native Americans several times in the past, the tribe finally received some good news.
“We applied for it several times and this time we were awarded the grant,” said John Barbry, Director of Development & Programming for Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Language & Culture Revitalization Program. “Basically the grant is funding five full-time adult students; we’re calling them apprentices.”
Nearly $750 thousand are now available for the revitalization efforts of the Tunica. Five people will be trained to write and speak the Tunica language.
This also provides a way for the tribal base in Marksville to make sure the language is being spread to members in other states like Texas and Illinois.
“By training new instructors, hopefully from those outer communities, they’re able to go back to their community after the three-year grant and create a language nest and teach,” said Barbry. “They’ll be a local resource for learning the Tunica language and culture.”
It’s a language that is more than just a skill to the Tunica people. Language instructor Donna Pierite said that it is “a gift.”
