Author: Alex J.

Marskville, LA – (Oct. 31, 2017) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana’s Language and Culture

Revitalization Program (LCRP) hosted its 2^nd Annual Intertribal Basketry Summit on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Paragon Casino Resort.

Master weavers throughout regional Native American communities joined Tunica members in a modern-day effort to keep their cultural traditions alive. The summit serves as an informal forum for participants at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels to share elements of their culture and demonstrate southeast basketry techniques using pine needle, river cane and palmetto.

This year, master weavers from Native American communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma attended to demonstrate and discuss their unique styles. To add to the experience, basket weavers set-up tables to sell their basket creations on-site to the public.

In addition to weavers from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, representatives from the following tribes participated:

• Coushatta of Kinder, LA
• Alabama-Coushatta of Livingston, TX
• Chitimacha Tribe of Charenton, LA
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Clifton Choctaw of Louisiana
• United Houma Nation of Louisiana

Additionally, two non-tribal weavers who learned the art from Choctaw elders in Louisiana and Mississippi participated.

“Thank you to all who participated in the second year of this exciting event which allows Native Americans to share their ancestors’ basketry styles in a communal and engaging way,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Vice Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.  “We hope that by encouraging our people to continue learning the art of basketry, the tradition will live on for generations to come.”

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN:  Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Paragon Casino Resort, Chiqui Ballroom | 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, Louisiana 71351

WHAT: The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana’s Language and Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) will hold its 2^nd Annual Intertribal Basketry Summit.

Each year, the LCRP invites master weavers throughout regional Native American communities to its Intertribal Basketry Summit. The summit serves as an informal forum for participants to share elements of their culture and demonstrate southeast basketry techniques using pine needle, river cane and palmetto. Master weavers from Native American communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss their unique styles. Some weavers will have their basket creations available for sale at the event.

In addition to weavers from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, participants hail from the following tribes:

• Coushatta of Kinder, LA
• Alabama-Coushatta of Livingston, TX
• Chitimacha Tribe of Charenton, LA
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Clifton Choctaw of Louisiana
• United Houma Nation of Louisiana

Additionally, two non-tribal weavers will participate who learned the art from Choctaw elders in Louisiana and Mississippi.

“We are excited to kick-off the second year of this event and allow Native Americans to share their ancestors’ basketry styles in a communal and engaging way,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Vice Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.  “We hope that by encouraging our people to continue learning the art of basketry, the tradition will live on for generations to come.”

The Intertribal Basketry Summit is free and open to the public. Participants at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels are encouraged to attend and learn. The beginner group seeking instruction is limited to 12 participants and the overall summit is limited to 45 participants. Registration for weavers is $20 and includes lunch and a full cultural experience. Participants must register in advance by contacting LCRP program assistant Megan Anderson at manderson@tunica.org or (318) 240-6468.

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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.

Flag Raising Ceremony to Honor Elders, Citizens and Leaders of Tunica-Biloxi Tribe

 

Marskville, LA – (September 28, 2017) – Leaders and citizens of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana gathered to hold a flag raising ceremony for the commemoration of the tribe’s 36^th anniversary of Federal Acknowledgment, which occurred on September 25, 1981. The observance was led by Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Commissioner Chairman Rudolph Wambsgans and included presentations of prayer and song from other leaders in the tribe. The Tunica Biloxi Police Department was honored with the duty of raising the Tunica flag during the ceremony.

 

“On this day, we recognize the importance of our tribe’s federally acknowledged status and how vital it is to our community,” said Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Vice Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “Not only is today a day for recognition, but we must also reflect on the struggles and successes our tribe has endured and achieved over the years.”

 

The Federal Acknowledgment Process was created in 1978 and is managed by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment. Currently, the United States government acknowledges over 560 tribes, including the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. Federal acknowledgment allows tribes to assert and protect their identities, as well as file claims for past and current acts of injustice by the government and other entities.

 

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.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Texas Renters May Be Eligible for Federal Help

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For those Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Tribal Members seeking disaster aid following Hurricane Harvey there are two ways to submit your request.

1) You can fill out the online registration form here.

2) Or download a PDF form and return it via mail or fax.

• Mailing Address:  P.O. BOX 1589 MARKSVILLE, LA 71351

• Fax:  (318) 253-9791

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TO DONATE PLEASE VISIT: https://www.gofundme.com/tunicabiloxiharveyrelief

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The continuing devastation from Hurricane Harvey is impacting our fellow tribal members in Texas and Louisiana. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is asking for support in assisting up to 350 tribal families affected in Texas and Louisiana by this historic storm.

We’re calling on our members and their friends to help those in need by donating to this relief fund. Proceeds from this campaign will go towards helping these families restore their homes, businesses and personal possessions damaged by Harvey. With a goal of $400,000, Tunica-Biloxi members are working to provide at least $1,000 to all affected families.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has deep roots in Avoyelles Parish and surrounding areas, but many of our members reside in Southeast Texas, which bore the brunt of the storm. The Tribe has assisted many parishes, towns and communities over the past four decades. Now, we are asking for our community’s help in assisting our fellow tribal members in need.

 

 

Best,

Marshall Ray Sampson

Vice Chairman

 

Click here to view the Hurricane Harvey Emergency Assistance Request Memorandum.

 

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AWARD WINNING FILM IS LATEST PROJECT OF THE TRIBE’S FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

Marskville, LA – (August 12, 2017) – Stars from the new hit film WIND RIVER joined tribal members from the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for a private screening of the film and Q&A session on Saturday, Aug.12. The event was hosted by the Tunica Biloxi Tribe Economic Development Corporation at the Paragon Casino & Resort. Actress Julia Jones joined fellow Native American cast mates Martin Sensmeier and Gil Birmingham at the screening and participated in a Q&A following the filming.

WIND RIVER is a chilling thriller that follows a rookie FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) who teams up with a local game tracker with deep community ties and a haunted past (Jeremy Renner) to investigate the murder of a local girl on a remote Native American Reservation in the hopes of solving her mysterious death. Written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, WIND RIVER also stars also stars Apesanahkwat, Gil Birmingham, Jon Bernthal, Tantoo Cardinal, Graham Greene, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille, Martin Sensmeier and Tokala Clifford.

“Acacia Entertainment looks for investment opportunities that reflect important stories,” said Tunica Biloxi Tribal Co-Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “Wind River is one of those projects. Having such a stellar Native American cast on this film helps to highlight those stories. We were thrilled to have Gil, Julia and Martin join us for this special private screening.”

The film is the latest project of Acacia Entertainment, a finance and production company that is a joint venture between the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Economic Development Corporation, a wholly owned entity of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, and Savvy Media Holdings. The film has been lauded for its casting of Native American cast and crew and was an official selection at Cannes.

 

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.

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Thank you to every one who participated in our 22nd annual Tunica Biloxi Pow Wow last week. Hundreds came out to enjoy the tribal voices raised in song, prayer and celebration at the Paragon Casino Resort.

Pow Wows in tribal tradition are gatherings to honor native heritage, give thanks to the Creator spirit and socialize with members of tribes from across the nation. From fancy dancers decked out in feathered tail pieces to traditional dancers with bristly porcupine “roach” headdresses it was a weekend to remember. Full photo recap below. Be sure to check out the video coverage from KALB here as well.

 

Join us as we learn to speak in Tunica about the sky, sun, moon, weather, clouds and stars!

Guest presenters will enlighten our youth about the vastness of the sky and universe. The presentations will be accompanied by Tunica Language lessons and traditional Tunica-Biloxi skylore.

 

Camp runs June 12 – 16, 2017

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER