Planning Director Responsibilities

The Tunica-Biloxi Planning Department is led by a Director whose division is under the direct supervision of the Chairman’s office and is responsible for the maintenance of existing tribal federal programs. It is instrumental and active in infrastructure development, i.e. installation of facilities, roads, water and sewerage lines, as well as electrical supply. This development is done through the application process for competitive federal grants. The Planning Department also assists in the development of tribal agency growth processes, i.e. taxing capability, housing, and tribal policy development. The department interacts with all other departments (i.e. Health, Housing, Law Enforcement, Social Services, etc.) to provide any assistance needed for grant opportunities as available.  Any questions pertaining to the above mentioned projects may be directed to the Planning Director, Larry Burgess at: lburgess@tunica.org.

Department Administrator Assistant

The Planning Department also has an Administrative Assistant who is responsible for providing support to the division’s Director, whether through the preparation of materials, research, writing, or any task required to complete the duties overseen by the Planning Department.  Inquiries to this department may also be made to: mmunson@tunica.org

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of LA Newsletter

Last year the Tribal Council expanded the Planning Department’s duties by adding the tribe’s Newsletter Program to the department.  This publication covers activities on the reservation and reports to the members the goings on at the tribe’s various business ventures, on and off the rez.  The newsletter shares information with all the tribal families living around the United States in over 20 states and abroad.  It has also gone out to members of the Louisiana legislature and the United States Congressional Representatives and Senators and to friends and business affiliates of the tribe.  It covers stories about housing and infrastructure projects on the rez, the tribe’s Trust Program, cultural programs like the annual Pow Wow and museum related events, operations and expansion plans at the Paragon Casino Resort, the tribe’s Scholarship and Education programs, Elder programs and much more.  Stories also cover news affecting Native Americans and tribes on the state and federal levels highlighting government to government relations that the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of LA engages in throughout each and every year.  The newsletter project has periodically provided internship and contributing writer opportunities to interested tribal students on the high school and college levels.  Anyone interested in contributing articles for publication consideration in the tribe’s newsletter should contact the Editor at: LintingerBW@aol.com.

Trust Program Coordinator

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of LA Trust Program was set-up to account for and responsibly manage per capita distributions made to the minor Tribal members from gaming and non-gaming activities of the tribe as well as to oversee the access of minors’ trusts for specific educational, medical and general welfare needs of the trust holders. The Trust Program serves to protect and preserve the   per capita payments made to minors and incompetents as stipulated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

The program is governed by a Master Trust Document that undergoes minor revisions from time to time.  This document sets forth the operating guidelines for the program including the establishment of trusts, the access of funds, and the closure of the trusts.  The Tribal Council is both the designated Settlor and Trustee of the program, and makes decisions relating to investment and account access guidelines.

The Trust Program Coordinator serves as the liaison between the Tribal Council, tribal families and the financial institution/trust administrator.  This person also maintains the records and correspondence between members and the financial institution, advises members on account access requirements as stipulated by tribal law and the Master Trust Document, solicits legal and financial consultations as needed between tribal officials and those individuals/firms, and prepares materials and reports as needed.  The coordinator also consults with the Trust Advisor regarding requests to access trust funds based on criteria noted in the Master Trust Document.  This program administrator also oversees the solicitation of trust advisory proposals periodically (every 3-4 years) to assure that the program is being managed competitively and efficiently by the trust advisor.  For additional information and related forms, tribal members and parents/legal guardians may go to the “Members Area” of this website, a secured             segment of the website accessible only to registered/enrolled members of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of LA, or contact Mrs. Lintinger at: LintingerBW@aol.com Or toll free @ (866-553-7716)