Author: Katie Bourque

Paragon Casino Resort and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana contributed $50,000 to the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism (ACT) during the 3^rd annual Louisiana Rural Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit. The donation was made to further their collective mission of giving back to the Central Louisiana region and will be used to continue attracting visitors to Avoyelles Parish.

“It is our duty and responsibility to look out for our community and give back to the people who have helped us achieve so much,” said Paragon Casino Resort General Manager Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “We stand in unity with the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism to entice more visitors to our region. Avoyelles has a lot to offer, and this donation will only help make the parish that much more desirable for locals and tourists.”

The $50,000 check was presented to ACT during LaRuE which is hosted each year by the Tribe and takes place at Paragon Casino Resort. Wilbert Carmouche, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Avoyelles Tourism Commission, delivered a keynote address during the gathering.

“By supporting the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism, Paragon Casino Resort and the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana are helping to promote Avoyelles Parish as a tourist destination through a cherished partnership,” said Wilbert Carmouche, Executive Director of ACT. “This collaboration benefits both the local community and visitors by showcasing the unique attractions and amenities of the area, ultimately boosting tourism and economic growth in the center of Louisiana.”

In addition to presenting Carmouche with the donation, Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite honored the continued partnership between ACT and the Tribe by cloaking him in a Tunica-Biloxi blanket, a custom symbolizing the friendship between the organizations.

“Avoyelles Parish is only as strong as the partnerships created to assure its success,” said Chairman Pierite. “We are immensely grateful for the partnership we have with Mr. Carmouche and the Avoyelles Commission of Tourism and look forward to bettering the parish even more year after year.”

This donation is just one of the ways that Paragon Casino Resort and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe have come together to assist the community. Both have a long history of investing in the communities that surround the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation, which includes fundraising, development conferences, food drives and employment opportunities.

Civic, community and business leaders discussed economic opportunities in Louisiana’s heartland.

Click here for photos

This week, leaders from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana hosted the third annual Louisiana Rural Economic (LaRuE) Development Summit at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana. LaRuE’s dozens of sessions expounded on information regarding economic development opportunities, focusing on healthcare, education, financial and digital literacy, grant applications and how to conduct business with local and tribal governments.

Leaders from across Louisiana gathered to share insight and ideas on how businesses and individuals can benefit from building relationships and creating strategic partnerships with local, state, and national leaders, federal agencies, corporate America and Native American Tribes. Topics included workforce development, agriculture, bridging the digital divide, education, healthcare, grant navigation and more.

With its extensive agenda featuring panelists and keynote speakers, LaRuE successfully stood by its mission to enhance the quality of rural life by connecting those leaders with business owners, professionals, investors and faculty and students from Louisiana universities. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has been a longstanding partner with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Southern University and Northwestern State University, all of whom spoke at the two-day conference.

Originally debuted in 2019, LaRuE’s is held at a critical time for small business owners who are trying to build or rebuild their enterprises in the ever-evolving landscape of rural or agrarian Louisiana, catering to a number of different business ventures and endeavors – from education to healthcare. The event also included a Women’s Empowerment Dinner, featuring a keynote address from Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry.

“Economic development is more than just a series of business transactions; it’s about creating an ecosystem where businesses can flourish, families can prosper, and communities can thrive. For rural Louisiana, economic development means access to better jobs, improved healthcare, advanced educational opportunities and a higher quality of life,” said Marshall Pierite, Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “When we gather together in search of solutions, it ensures our young people can build their futures here, rather than feeling compelled to leave their hometowns for better prospects elsewhere.”

The event is part of the Tribe’s commitment to creating a better path forward, not only for its citizens, but for Louisiana and beyond.

Images within the coloring book feature native Louisiana wildlife and their traditional names in the Biloxi language.

For high-resolution images of the coloring book’s launch, click here.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) are happy to announce an all-new coloring book has been published for educators and students to utilize while having fun learning traditional Biloxi language.

The 64-page educational coloring book depicts native Louisiana wildlife while helping reawaken the Biloxi language. This comes after a similar collaboration in 2022, when the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Language & Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) and LWF released a coloring book primarily for the Tunica language.

“The Tunica-language coloring book was such a success with schools and students across Louisiana that we had to recreate it with the Biloxi language, as well,” said John Barbry, Director of Development & Programming for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “A longstanding mission for the Tribe has been to promote education of our history, culture and language that have been passed down by our elders—and I believe these coloring books do just that while allowing today’s students to have fun while learning.”

The coloring book includes a Biloxi-English translation index, a pronunciation guide and a “Note to Educators” page suggesting how the book connects with Louisiana education standards. Students will find terms within the book that appear in many Biloxi stories. Most prominently, the otter that appears on the cover of the coloring book plays a significant role in many Biloxi stories, especially in “The Otter and the Sun.” Each animal depicted in the book has been highlighted by the LWF as a native species of Louisiana.

“The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe shares our interest and passion for recognizing and preserving Louisiana’s wildlife,” said Rebecca Triche, Executive Director of LWF. “Our collaboration on a second coloring book allows us to educate students about Louisiana’s native wildlife and revive the Biloxi language.”

The book would not have been possible without the hard work of LWF Executive Committee member Marty Floyd and LWF Communications Director Jimmy Frederick. Back in 2021, Floyd got the idea for the initial Tunica-language coloring book and worked diligently to create 59 original illustrations featuring mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and other aquatic animals and insects. The same dedication was shown with the illustrations in the new Biloxi-language coloring book and its publication this year.

Each page has a simple drawing that can be colored, along with the name of the animal in the Biloxi language. A few examples of the many animals featured in the book include an atuki (raccoon), ithaa (deer), momoxka (hummingbird), naxo (alligator), thoxka (gray fox) and yanasa (buffalo).

The books are being distributed by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and can also be found in the gift shop at the Tunica-Biloxi Resort in Marksville. A digital PDF version of the book can be downloaded by clicking here or by visiting the LWF’s website.

Louisiana Wildlife Federation will distribute a copy to each public library in Louisiana and make a printable version available on their website at lawildlifefed.org

A special thank you to the National Wildlife Federation and the Rapides Wildlife Association for helping to underwrite the production of the coloring book.

The Tribe welcomed the community, inviting them to take part in dance competitions, storytelling, music, and traditional arts.

For high-res photos of the 2024 Pow Wow, click here.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana proudly announces the successful conclusion of the 26^th Annual Pow Wow, held on May 18 and 19, 2024, on the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in Marksville. The Tribe warmly welcomed neighboring tribes and the Avoyelles Parish community to join in the celebration of its 26th Annual Pow Wow. Following last year’s return after a three-year pause due to the pandemic, this year’s event continued to spotlight the rich heritage of Native American culture through traditional arts, music, dance, and storytelling.

This year’s event, building on the overwhelming success of the previous year, featured an array of craft displays, music performances, dance presentations, and cultural exhibits. Dozens of local food and craft vendors participated, and the event included interactive events and live performances aimed at highlighting the rich history and traditions of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and their neighboring tribes.

“Each year, Pow Wow strengthens the bonds within our community and among our guests from afar,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This year, we witnessed an overwhelming spirit of unity and a shared passion for preserving and promoting our culture. It’s an honor to host such a gathering that not only showcases our traditions but also educates and inspires all who attend.”

The Tribe also reflected on those who brought them to this point, including Paragon Casino Resort, which honored Tribal Elder and traditional basket weaver Mrs. Lula Cryer in its Tunica-Biloxi museum. The Tribe recognized the perseverance of their ancestors and celebrated the annual Pow Wow’s tribute to prosperity, now shared with every visitor. This year’s festivities marked a milestone for Paragon, who celebrated 30 years of gaming and community engagement, acknowledging the crucial role of dedicated associates, many of whom are Tribal citizens themselves.

In addition to the main Pow Wow events, the Tribe hosted a free Education Day on Friday, May 17, dedicated to educating students of all ages about Native American culture. The weekend featured exhibitions by The Grayhawk Band and Larry Yazze (native flute) and encouraged participation in inter-tribal dances.

The Pow Wow also highlighted the Tribe’s recent advancements, including a visit from U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and the awarding of a $6.4 million grant for affordable housing for tribal families. For more information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/.