Marskville, LA – (May 23, 2017) – On Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana hosted its 23rd Annual Pow Wow at the Chief Joseph Alcide Pierite, Sr. Pow Wow Grounds on the Tunica-Biloxi reservation. An annual festivity in Marksville, the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow serves as a social gathering for tribal members and is open to the public.
“While this event serves as a homecoming for Tunica-Biloxi Tribal members throughout the nation, it also serves as an opportunity for fellowship with other Native American Tribes and an educational opportunity for members of our community,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “Thank you to everyone who came out to the Pow Wow this year and a special thanks to all of our vendors, sponsors, donors, participants, volunteers and community partners.”
Attendees experienced the history and traditions of tribal culture through a variety of interactive events and live performances all weekend long. The Tunica-Biloxi Annual Pow Wow affirms the endurance of indigenous culture every year through vibrant craft displays, music performances, dance presentations and cultural exhibits.
“We are grateful for another successful Pow Wow and plan to continue this expression of Native American culture for years to come,” said Pow Wow Chairman and Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Revitalization Program Director John Barbry. “As a tradition in Avoyelles Parish for 23 years now, the Pow Wow represents an enduring presence of indigenous culture in the local community.”
Featured performances and events included the Tunica-Biloxi Singers and Legend Keepers, various Native American Dance Competitions and Drum (Singing) Contests in both Northern and Southern categories. The event also featured over 40 food and craft vendors.
In addition to the Pow Wow, the Tribe also hosted an Education Day on Friday, May 18 at the Chief Joseph Alcide Pierite Pow Wow Grounds to teach area children and school groups about the diverse and vibrant traditions of Native Americans ahead of the Pow Wow. The event included dance demonstrations, opportunities to use traditional tools and toys as well as learn about basketry, clothing and jewelry of tribes of various regions.
For more information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit – https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/.
To view the Facebook album, visit: https://bit.ly/2s6JCSB
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About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near Marksville, where they were skilled traders and entrepreneurs. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,200 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received federal recognition in 1981 for its reservation within the boundaries of Louisiana. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. Through its compact, negotiated by the late Tribal Chairman Earl J. Barbry Sr. and the State of Louisiana, the Tribe has assisted local governments in the area with its quarterly distribution of funds, totaling more than $40 million over two decades. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit www.tunica.org and “like” us on Facebook.