The inter-governmental event, which featured 30 tribal leaders and U. S. Government officials, is part of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s strategy to forge meaningful partnerships between Indian Country and the federal governme
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana convened a roundtable event, “Preserving, Protecting, and Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty,” on their reservation in Marksville, Louisiana. This landmark gathering brought together over thirty tribal leaders and federal officials to foster new relationships, spur economic development and reinforce tribal sovereignty across Indian Country.
Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Christine Serrano Glassner, and Senior Advisor for the Immediate Office of the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mark Cruz, represented the U.S. Government. Both highlighted the importance of federal-tribal collaboration in advancing shared priorities.
Diane Cullo, Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Native American Affairs, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to supporting Native American small businesses and addressing concerns about the SBA’s Tribal 8(a) program. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development for the Office of Indian Affairs Ken Bellmard delivered video messages in support of the gathering.
Chairman Marshall Pierite of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe outlined his vision for a coalition between tribal nations and the federal government, underscoring the need to seize new opportunities for growth and self-determination. Under his leadership, Tunica-Biloxi Industries is spearheading initiatives such as a textile manufacturing enterprise to provide high-quality products for commercial and government sectors and public works projects across the country – part of a broader effort to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and tribal reservations.
“This event symbolizes our resolve to transform obstacles into opportunities,” said Chairman Pierite. “Through collaboration and determination, we aim to shift the balance of power, ensure tribal communities are no longer overlooked, and secure our rightful place at the table of progress.”
The event, held at the tribal-owned Paragon Casino Resort, began with a guided tour of the Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resources Center and Museum, showcasing the tribe’s rich heritage and ongoing efforts in cultural preservation. The day’s program commenced with a cocktail hour and a Government-to-Government Meet & Greet, setting the stage for candid discussions.
A key highlight of the event was the participation of President Donald Trump’s longest-serving political advisor, Roger Stone, who reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to tribal sovereignty and its eagerness to collaborate on economic development projects. Tribal leaders in attendance included Principal Chief Lora Ann Chaisson of the United Houma Nation, Chairman John Lowery of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and Governor Thomas Moquino Jr. of Santo Domingo Pueblo, among others.
The roundtable marked the first of a series, with Chairman Pierite announcing plans for a follow-up event set for late July in Washington, D.C., which is expected to include House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).
Through its business ventures, including Tunica-Biloxi Industries, the tribe is committed to fostering economic development opportunities in order to provide for its tribal citizens. Current investments include projects in the textile and manufacturing industries, public infrastructure projects, agricultural investments and more. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe extends its gratitude to all attendees and partners who contributed to the success of this event.
Learn more at www.tunicabiloxi.org.
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About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near south of Marksville in east-central Louisiana. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,600 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas, and Illinois. The modern Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is composed of Tunica, Biloxi (a Siouan-speaking people from the Gulf coast), Ofo (also a Siouan people), Avoyel (a Natchezan people), and Choctaw. Although ancestry is typically intermixed through marriages, tribal members typically identify either as Tunica, Biloxi or Biloxi-Choctaw. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/ and “like” us on Facebook.
DRAFT FOR REVIEW
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Hosts Government-to-Government Summit to Advance Economic Development and Tribal Sovereignty
The inter-governmental event, which featured 30 tribal leaders and U. S. Government officials, is part of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s strategy to forge meaningful partnerships between Indian Country and the federal government.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana convened a roundtable event, “Preserving, Protecting, and Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty,” on their reservation in Marksville, Louisiana. This landmark gathering brought together over thirty tribal leaders and federal officials to foster new relationships, spur economic development and reinforce tribal sovereignty across Indian Country.
Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Christine Serrano Glassner, and Senior Advisor for the Immediate Office of the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mark Cruz, represented the U.S. Government. Both highlighted the importance of federal-tribal collaboration in advancing shared priorities.
Diane Cullo, Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Native American Affairs, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to supporting Native American small businesses and addressing concerns about the SBA’s Tribal 8(a) program. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development for the Office of Indian Affairs Ken Bellmard delivered video messages in support of the gathering.
Chairman Marshall Pierite of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe outlined his vision for a coalition between tribal nations and the federal government, underscoring the need to seize new opportunities for growth and self-determination. Under his leadership, Tunica-Biloxi Industries is spearheading initiatives such as a textile manufacturing enterprise to provide high-quality products for commercial and government sectors and public works projects across the country – part of a broader effort to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and tribal reservations.
“This event symbolizes our resolve to transform obstacles into opportunities,” said Chairman Pierite. “Through collaboration and determination, we aim to shift the balance of power, ensure tribal communities are no longer overlooked, and secure our rightful place at the table of progress.”
The event, held at the tribal-owned Paragon Casino Resort, began with a guided tour of the Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resources Center and Museum, showcasing the tribe’s rich heritage and ongoing efforts in cultural preservation. The day’s program commenced with a cocktail hour and a Government-to-Government Meet & Greet, setting the stage for candid discussions.
A key highlight of the event was the participation of President Donald Trump’s longest-serving political advisor, Roger Stone, who reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to tribal sovereignty and its eagerness to collaborate on economic development projects. Tribal leaders in attendance included Principal Chief Lora Ann Chaisson of the United Houma Nation, Chairman John Lowery of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and Governor Thomas Moquino Jr. of Santo Domingo Pueblo, among others.
The roundtable marked the first of a series, with Chairman Pierite announcing plans for a follow-up event set for late July in Washington, D.C., which is expected to include House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).
Through its business ventures, including Tunica-Biloxi Industries, the tribe is committed to fostering economic development opportunities in order to provide for its tribal citizens. Current investments include projects in the textile and manufacturing industries, public infrastructure projects, agricultural investments and more. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe extends its gratitude to all attendees and partners who contributed to the success of this event.
Learn more at www.tunicabiloxi.org.
###
About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near south of Marksville in east-central Louisiana. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,600 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas, and Illinois. The modern Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is composed of Tunica, Biloxi (a Siouan-speaking people from the Gulf coast), Ofo (also a Siouan people), Avoyel (a Natchezan people), and Choctaw. Although ancestry is typically intermixed through marriages, tribal members typically identify either as Tunica, Biloxi or Biloxi-Choctaw. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/ and “like” us on Facebook.