Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Commemorates 45 Years of Federal Recognition

Anniversary reflects decades of growth, cultural preservation and service to Tribal citizens and Central Louisiana.

MARKSVILLE, La. – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is commemorating 45 years of federal recognition, marking nearly half a century of growth for the Tribe and its citizens while honoring the generations who worked to secure recognition in 1981.

The Tribe’s federal recognition became effective September 25, 1981, following a years-long effort to document the Tunica-Biloxi’s history, ancestry and continued existence as a Tribal Nation. The federal determination traced the Tribe’s documented history to 1698 and recognized the modern Tunica-Biloxi Tribe as the successor of the historic Tunica, Ofo and Avoyel tribes and part of the Biloxi Tribe.

The recognition effort was the result of years of work by Tribal leaders and citizens, including the late Chairman Earl J. Barbry Sr., who helped guide the Tribe through the federal recognition process and into a new era of Tribal self-government and economic development.

At the time of the federal recognition process, the Tribe had 200 members. Today, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has approximately 1,700 enrolled citizens across the United States. While the Tribe’s reservation remains in Marksville, where the Tunica-Biloxi people have deep ancestral roots, large communities of Tribal citizens also call the Houston and Chicago areas home.

“For our Tribe, federal recognition was the result of many years of determination by the people who came before us and believed deeply in protecting who we are,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “Over the past 45 years, we have grown in ways they could only have imagined, but we have never lost sight of the culture, traditions and sense of community they worked so hard to preserve. This anniversary gives us an opportunity to honor their work, celebrate how far we have come and continue building something even stronger for the generations that follow.”

Federal recognition established a formal government-to-government relationship between the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and the United States and helped provide a foundation for the Tribe to expand services and opportunities for its citizens. Since 1981, the Tribe has strengthened its government and developed programs supporting education, housing, health, public safety, language and culture, economic development and other needs of Tribal citizens, while continuing to grow its presence in Central Louisiana.

That growth has included major investments in both economic development and cultural preservation, while expanding the Tribe’s impact across Avoyelles Parish and Central Louisiana. In 1994, the Tribe opened what is now Paragon Casino Resort, which has become a significant employer in Central Louisiana and an important source of economic opportunity for Tribal citizens and the surrounding community. The Tribe has also continued preserving and strengthening traditions passed down for generations through language revitalization efforts and the Cultural and Educational Resources Center (CERC). Together, these efforts have strengthened the Tribe’s presence in the region and its connection to the communities it calls home.

“Forty-five years of federal recognition is an important milestone for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and a testament to the generations who have worked to preserve its culture, strengthen its community and build for the future,” said State Rep. Daryl Deshotel. “The Tribe has long been a valued partner in Avoyelles Parish, working alongside local leaders and residents to create opportunity and improve quality of life. I am proud to join the Tunica-Biloxi people in celebrating this anniversary and look forward to continuing our work together for the good of our community.”

As the Tribe celebrates 45 years of federal recognition, the milestone serves as both a reflection on how far the Tunica-Biloxi have come and a foundation for what comes next. Looking ahead, the Tribe remains focused on strengthening its sovereignty, creating new opportunities for Tribal citizens, preserving Tunica-Biloxi culture and ensuring future generations inherit a strong and thriving Tribal Nation.

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Launches the First Tribal Nation Prediction Market App

Tunica-Biloxi tribal citizens Jeffery P. Brian and Rose Pierite White stand in front of Chief Joseph A. Pierite Sr.’s trading post on the reservation, which was operated as a diplomatic effort to raise awareness about the tribe’s culture and history, 1976.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana today announced the launch of the first tribal prediction market app through SaltTrade Derivatives, a newly established subdivision of a Tribal-owned enterprise. The new app will be powered by Kalshi.

The partnership marks another significant step in the Tribe’s ongoing work to exercise its economic independence, diversify its portfolio, and build sustainable sources of revenue for future generations. It creates a path for other sovereign Tribal nations to participate as innovators in an emerging sector of the American financial economy.

Through the collaboration, the Tribe will draw upon Kalshi’s established infrastructure and market expertise to develop a distinct Tribal-owned trading application. Participants will be able to use the app to trade event contracts tied to the outcomes of future events in a structured marketplace on Kalshi with clearly defined rules and objectively verifiable results.

“This partnership represents exactly the type of opportunity Indian Country should be pursuing, where Tribes are owners, innovators and leaders, not just participants,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “For generations, the Tunica-Biloxi people have adapted, traded and built relationships that allowed our Nation to prosper. This initiative carries that tradition into the modern economy and demonstrates what is possible when Tribal entrepreneurship is paired with emerging technology and innovative vision.”

The initiative builds upon the Tribe’s history of establishing and overseeing enterprises that create economic opportunities. Through Tunica-Biloxi owned ventures such as MobiLoans, the Tribe has demonstrated its ability to operate responsibly in complex financial markets and build successful enterprises rooted in tribal tradition.

The Tribe’s new venture will focus on providing software for trading event contracts but may branch out into other offerings as opportunities arise. The app is being developed around market access, transparency and responsible oversight, with the Tribe bringing its experience with introducing customers to financial opportunities to the partnership.

“Tribal nations possess the business expertise to compete in the most innovative areas of the American economy,” Chairman Pierite said. “We are ushering in new opportunities for all Indian country and leading the effort to establish a framework through which Tribes across the country can create and control their own economic destinies.”

The announcement follows the issuance of a conditional no-action letter from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, providing an important framework for the Tribe’s participation in the industry, subject to the CFTC’s jurisdiction in the markets for event contracts and other derivatives it regulates. The venture also creates a pathway for Tribal nations to engage with the federal government and other tribal nations on a sovereign-to-sovereign basis while pursuing new opportunities for commerce and economic growth.

“Indian Country should have more paths to economic self-determination, not fewer and we’re proud to partner with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe as the first tribal nation to enter prediction markets,” said Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour. “The debate can no longer be reduced to prediction markets on one side and Tribes on the other. What’s clear is that regulated national infrastructure and Tribal entrepreneurship can develop together — and one does not have to lose for the other to win.”

The partnership reflects the Tribe’s broader commitment to ensuring that Tribal nations are represented in the industries shaping the future of commerce. By moving into prediction markets with this application, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is creating a model through which Tribes can transform a longstanding tradition of adaptability and entrepreneurship into ownership, long-term revenue, and greater economic self-determination.

The venture’s name, SaltTrade Derivatives, honors the Tunica-Biloxi people’s history as pioneering salt traders who built prosperity through commerce and trade centuries ago. This newly announced venture continues that legacy of economic opportunity as a Tribal Nation, reflecting the Tribe’s enduring commitment to “cherishing our past and building for our future.”

Additional information regarding the platform and its launch will be announced in the coming months. Learn more about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and its enterprises at tunicabiloxi.org. SaltTrade Derivatives will not be registered with the CFTC, in reliance on conditional no-action relief issued by the staff of the CFTC.

Sovereignty Includes the Power to Build What Comes Next

Why the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Is Entering Prediction Markets

Marshall Pierite
Chairman and CEO of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

For generations, Native American communities have fought for something many Americans take for granted: the ability to determine our own future by creating and controlling our own destinies. We have fought to protect our lands, preserve our cultures, exercise our governmental authority and build economies capable of competing and thriving in the modern marketplace.

Today, that same principle of self-determination is leading the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana into prediction markets. Through SaltTrade Derivatives, a new Tribally-owned venture developed in partnership with Kalshi, we intend to participate and help shape this emerging industry as owners and innovators.

Our decision will generate discussion and debate. Some Tribal nations and state governments have raised concerns about prediction markets, particularly contracts involving sporting events and whether certain products cross the line into gaming. Those questions are being contested in courts and regulatory proceedings. We respect those concerns, and we respect the sovereign right of every Tribal nation to reach its own conclusion.

We have not seen any evidence that prediction market revenues come at the expense of tribal gaming revenue. Tribal gaming hit a record $46.2 billion in gross gaming revenue in fiscal 2025, and growth accelerated in most NIGC regions during the same period prediction markets expanded — including regions where Tribes have litigation pending against prediction market operators. What we see is an enormous opportunity to modernize – it’s not a threat to existing revenue, it’s a new revenue stream that didn’t exist before. 

Further, we expect some tribes, particularly those with established, high-revenue gaming operations, will say the Tribe is ‘selling out’ Tribal gaming or that this is bad for Indian Country. But that reaction often comes from a position of strength that not every tribe shares. For tribes without the same access to lucrative gaming markets or major metropolitan populations, prediction markets represent a new and meaningful source of revenue. 

Tribal sovereignty means a nation gets to decide for itself what is best for its people. Tunica-Biloxi is doing exactly that: creating a new source of economic opportunity, and doing it on its own terms.

We will also continue to defend Indian gaming. Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency and strong tribal governments. Gaming has created jobs and funded health care, education, housing, infrastructure and elder services across Indian Country. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe knows that story firsthand.

But protecting what we have built should not prevent us from pursuing what comes next. 

Prediction markets operate within a federally regulated financial marketplace where participants buy and sell event contracts tied to objectively verifiable outcomes involving  economics, elections, weather, technology, entertainment, sports, and other events. Just like traditional commodity futures, participants compete in the open market.

We are partnering with Kalshi to power our prediction markets software application because it will allow us to plug directly into Kalshi’s existing exchange, and from day one its traders draw on the same global liquidity pool as every other Kalshi participant nationwide. 

Indian Country should absolutely have a seat at the table while this industry is being built. Too often in American history, Native nations have been invited into emerging industries only after the infrastructure, ownership, and wealth were established by others. We should not accept that model anymore. By entering this market as an owner of a prediction markets app, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is exercising its sovereignty and helping open another potential pathway for Native economic participation.

Sovereignty must mean more than the right to defend the industries we already have. It must include the freedom to build new ones.

The larger question is whether Native nations will participate as owners, innovators and trailblazers in an emerging financial industry – or watch another generation of American economic development pass us by. For Tunica-Biloxi, the answer is clear: we will not simply wait for opportunity to reach Indian Country. We intend to take our place in shaping this industry from the beginning.

That choice is not an abandonment of tribal gaming, and it is not a demand that every tribe follow us. Some tribes may decide prediction markets are not right for them. Others may participate. Some may challenge particular products while exploring opportunities elsewhere in the industry. That is sovereignty. Economic sovereignty does not require economic uniformity.

 Tribal gaming  was once considered controversial and uncertain, and debate over it continues today. Tribal leaders endured difficult legal and political battles because they understood a fundamental truth: economic independence strengthens sovereignty. For the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, gaming has been transformative, and we will continue to protect it. But the next chapter of tribal economic development will not be written by a single industry. It will be written by tribes willing to diversify, innovate, and pursue opportunities in  markets where Native ownership has historically been absent.

For too much of our history, others made economic decisions for Native people. Those days are over.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is entering prediction markets because sovereignty must include the freedom to build new industries, govern our own businesses, and create opportunities for generations we may never meet. For too much of our history, others decided what Native people could build, own, and become. Those days are over.  We intend to shape what comes next.

Tunica-Biloxi’s tribe rural health clinic became a community resource

When COVID-19 isolated Americans, health officials of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe of Louisiana knew they needed to work faster.

MARKSVILLE, La. — When COVID-19 isolated Americans, health officials of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe of Louisiana knew they needed to work faster. 

The tribe had established a need for a rural health clinic just a year before the pandemic pushed community health needs — like vaccinations and clinical care — to the surface. 

“We knew we didn’t have the experience or expertise in hand to address [COVID],” said tribe chairman and CEO Marshall Pierite. 

So, the tribe hired a chief medical officer, Dr. Arthur Webb, who was previously based in Washington D.C., to organize vaccination efforts with tribe members. 

“He had other experience dealing with Native Americans,” Pierite said. “He’s the one who actually started planting the seed for a clinic.”


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.

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Announces Third Annual Healing Tribal Strong 5K Walk/Run

October event will support the Mary Bird Perkins Foundation and create a space of encouragement for families affected by cancer.

MARKSVILLE, LA – [August 10, 2026] – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, will welcome runners, walkers, survivors, caregivers and community supporters to the Healing Tribal Strong 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in Marksville.

Presented in partnership with the Marksville and Avoyelles Parish communities, the event offers participants an opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, support those undergoing treatment and honor loved ones lost to cancer. Proceeds will benefit the Mary Bird Perkins Foundation, helping support cancer-related resources and services for patients and families throughout the region.

“Events like Healing Tribal Strong bring our community together in a powerful way, showing those affected by cancer that they are supported every step of the journey,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This 5K is an opportunity for our community to uplift one another, honor the resilience of those battling cancer and stand united in hope for healing and strength.”

The 5K is part of the Tribe’s broader Healing Tribal Strong initiative, which supports the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of survivors, patients, caregivers and their loved ones. Monthly virtual meetings, held on the first Sunday of each month from 4 to 4:30 p.m., provide a welcoming space to share experiences, offer encouragement and learn about nutrition, fitness and overall wellness.

The October race will extend that circle of support to the wider community through a day of movement, remembrance and fellowship. In addition to the walk/run, attendees can visit local vendors offering fresh produce, handmade goods and other items.

The Healing Tribal Strong 5K will take place at 150 Melacon Rd. in Marksville. The race start time, registration schedule and additional event details will be announced as they are finalized. Registration is open to participants of all ages and fitness levels. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting the event.

For more information about the event and to register, visit healingtribalstrong.com and for more information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit tunicabiloxi.org.


Media Contact:

Madison Voorhies

318-880-3323

mvoorhies@tegpr.com

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.

TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE AND PARAGON CASINO RESORT MOBILIZE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR AVOYELLES PARISH RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY WEATHER

Tribe coordinates with state and local officials on recovery efforts; Paragon Casino Resort to provide meals and daily water deliveries to shelter locations.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Paragon Casino Resort announces emergency support for residents and families displaced by significant flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur.

The Tribe has requested a State of Emergency Declaration and continues to coordinate with state and local officials regarding emergency response and recovery support. Following the severe flooding, Governor Jeff Landry personally reached out to Chairman Marshall Pierite to offer the State’s assistance and support recovery efforts in Avoyelles Parish. Tribal leadership then met with Governor Landry, and parish, state and Tribal officials discussed ongoing damage assessments, emergency shelter operations, infrastructure impacts and the coordination of available state resources to assist affected residents. The Governor’s Office, in coordination with Avoyelles Parish officials, will work to provide necessary resources through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), as well as implement mosquito abatement efforts as a precautionary measure following the flooding.

Residents are encouraged to limit outdoor activity during evening and nighttime hours when possible and to take appropriate precautions to protect their pets from increased mosquito activity. Governor Landry emphasized that state agencies will continue working alongside parish and Tribal leaders to identify immediate needs, streamline recovery efforts and ensure available assistance reaches impacted communities as quickly as possible. Residents are encouraged to report storm-related damage by visiting damage.la.gov to assist state and local officials in assessing impacts and coordinating recovery resources.

“We are doing everything we can at this current time to bring as much relief as we can,” said Governor Landry during a press conference. “The amount of rainfall was simply historic. … This is going to be a complete community effort and a neighborhood effort.”

“Our Tribe has always understood that we are part of a larger community, and in moments like this, we have a responsibility to step forward,” said Chairman Marshall Pierite of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. “Families across Avoyelles Parish are facing urgent needs, and we are committed to doing everything possible to help residents find support. We appreciate Governor Landry’s attention to this crisis and look forward to working with his administration, parish leaders and emergency response partners to ensure resources reach those who need them as quickly as possible.”

As recovery efforts continue across Avoyelles Parish, the American Red Cross is operating an emergency shelter at the Cochon de Lait Center, located at 1822 L’Eglise St. in Mansura, in response to widespread flooding caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Tribal citizens in need of emergency assistance should refer to previously issued Tribal communications for designated emergency contact personnel and available resources. Paragon Casino Resort is also providing meal support and daily water deliveries to shelter locations to assist displaced individuals and families during the emergency response.

“Paragon Casino Resort is powered by this community, so when our neighbors are hurting, we are ready to serve,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., Vice Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and General Manager of Paragon Casino Resort. “Providing meals and water to shelter locations is a practical and immediate way we can help families who have been displaced. Our team is coordinating closely with Tribal leadership to make sure those impacted have food, shelter and people ready to support them.”

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and Paragon Casino Resort will continue monitoring resource needs, coordinating with state and local officials regarding the emergency declaration status and evaluating additional opportunities to support residents throughout the recovery process. As Avoyelles Parish begins to recover, the Tribe and Paragon remain committed to helping ensure impacted families have access to safety, food, water and support.

Residents are encouraged to follow all guidance from local emergency officials and avoid flooded roadways or unsafe areas. Individuals facing immediate danger should call 911.

###

DECLARATION OF STATE EMERGENCY by Chairman Marshall Pierite

WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, residents, employees, visitors, and tribal property; and

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning and related flood advisories for portions of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, associated with heavy rainfall and flooding impacts resulting from Post-Tropical Storm Arthur;

Building from the Ground Up: How the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Created a Thriving Rural Health Clinic

Direct Relief has partnered with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Health Department to install resilient power since 2024, delivering more than $514,000 in material support and grant and award funding to enhance the clinic’s wraparound services.

Today, a clinic founded by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana’s Health Department serves 1,700 tribal members and more than 250 non-tribal patients. Wraparound services connect patients to nutrition assistance, case management, behavioral health services, and medical referrals, among other support.

Read More Here

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Plants Longleaf Pines Through USET Conservation Grant

Agriculture, Maintenance and Water Management teams collaborate to support cultural preservation and environmental stewardship

For high-res photos, click here.


MARKSVILLE, La.
– (April 23, 2026) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has successfully planted 300 longleaf pine trees on Tribal lands through a United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) Conservation Grant, reinforcing the Tribe’s commitment to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation and sustainable land management. 

Longleaf pine holds deep cultural and ecological significance for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Traditionally, its needles have been used for basket weaving and other building materials, while its resin has served both construction and medicinal purposes. As a native species to Louisiana, Longleaf pine also plays a critical role in supporting the region’s ecosystem, providing habitat for wildlife, including the Gopher Tortoise, a species of conservation concern. 

In addition to longleaf pine, the Tribe continues to prioritize the restoration and preservation of native plants such as rivercane, which holds cultural importance for traditional basket weaving and other practices. These conservation efforts are closely tied to education initiatives that help pass down knowledge of the land and its resources to future generations.

The planting effort was made possible through the collaboration of the Tribe’s Agriculture and Maintenance Department and Water Management Department, whose teams worked together to plan and execute the project. Their dedication and hard work ensured the successful planting of all 300 trees.

“We are proud to continue investing in projects that honor our traditions while protecting and restoring our natural resources,” said Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This effort reflects our commitment to caring for the land in a way that benefits our community today and for generations to come.”

The longleaf pine planting also supports the Tribe’s broader focus on conservation education, including efforts to engage Tribal youth in agriculture and environmental stewardship. By connecting cultural knowledge with hands-on learning, these initiatives represent a long-term investment in the Tribe’s land and heritage, helping strengthen the next generation’s relationship with the land while providing benefits for years to come.

To learn more about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, visit https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/.


Media Contact: Lenox Hill; lhill@tegpr.com; (504) 352-5910

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.

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Re-Elects Chairman Marshall Pierite, New Council-at-Large Seats and Secretary-Treasurer

Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite will begin a third term in his role, and is joined by one new
and one re-elected Tribal Council Member and newly-elected Secretary-Treasurer Shelbie Lyn Sampson

From left to right: Chairman Marshall Pierite, Shelbie Lyn Sampson, Bobby Pierite, Sr. and Harold Pierite, Sr.


MARKSVILLE, La. – April 7, 2026
 – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has announced the re-election of Marshall Pierite as Chairman in an election held April 5, 2026. Shelbie Lyn Sampson was elected Secretary-Treasurer; Incumbent Tribal Council Member Bobby Pierite, Sr., was reelected, and Harold Pierite, Sr., was newly elected as Tribal Council Member after serving the council previously.

“I am deeply grateful and honored that our Tribal citizens have placed their trust and confidence in me for a third term as Chairman,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This responsibility is not mine alone—it reflects the hard work and dedication of our Tribal Council, our administration and the many individuals who work every day to turn our shared vision for the future into reality. Together, we remain focused on strengthening our Nation, expanding opportunities for our citizens and their families and ensuring that our progress benefits communities throughout Louisiana. As Chairman, I represent every citizen of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, and over the next four years I look forward to engaging more frequently with our citizens across all our communities, listening to their concerns and working together to build a stronger future for our people.”

Chairman Marshall Pierite, a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, has served the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana in multiple elected leadership roles for more than three decades, including Secretary-Treasurer, Vice Chairman and now a third term as Chairman. Throughout his tenure, he has championed initiatives that strengthen tribal governance, expand economic infrastructure and support programs that improve the quality of life for Tribal citizens. Chairman Pierite has been a strong advocate for Tribal sovereignty while fostering meaningful partnerships with federal leaders to advance shared prosperity and opportunity. In recognition of his leadership and service, he was named the Native American Finance Officers Association’s 2022 Tribal Leader of the Year. He also serves on numerous boards and currently holds the position of President of the Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity (NACEP).

Newly elected Secretary-Treasurer Shelbie Lyn Sampson, a native of Marksville, Louisiana, is the youngest woman in the Tribe’s history to serve as Secretary/Treasurer. A Valedictorian graduate of Marksville High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University and completed the Tribal Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and has served the organization in various capacities. Sampson’s professional experience includes roles with Louisiana State University, Smoothie King Headquarters and the George W. Bush Presidential Center. In her current position, she brings strong expertise in financial management, operations and strategic planning, with a leadership approach grounded in ethical standards, transparency and accountability. She is committed to fostering partnerships and supporting sustainable growth while upholding the values of her community.

Bobby Pierite, Sr., an Associate Commissioner for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Gaming Commission, boasts over 24 years of service, overseeing the Licensing, Inspector General and Investigation Divisions. A Marksville native, Pierite graduated from Marksville High School and attended Louisiana State University at Alexandria. Beyond his professional commitments, Pierite is deeply involved in community service, serving as the Tribal Council Liaison to the Housing Department and as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Peter Claver. His dedication extends to addressing Native American issues today, reflecting a commitment to the well-being of the community.

Harold Pierite, Sr., a native of Avoyelles Parish, has served as Chief of Police for the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department for over 20 years and has held multiple law enforcement roles since 1991. Appointed in 2017 to the Louisiana State Police Commission, he also serves on several boards and has been a long-time member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council, last serving in 2022. Known for his disciplined, by-the-book leadership, Pierite was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2022 – the organization’s highest honor.

“Congratulations to those elected and re-elected,” said Tunica-Biloxi Vice Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. “Service to others through dedicated, honest leadership is critical to our Tribal Council and the health and longevity of our Tribe. I am confident the 2026 Tribal Council will bring Tunica-Biloxi to unprecedented success through open ears, open hearts and open minds.”

The Tunica-Biloxi 2026 Tribal Council is completed by current Vice Chairman Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., and Tribal Council Members Dr. Julie Zahn and James Craig, III. Tunica-Biloxi tribal citizens participate in biannual elections to select the seven-member, and four-year term Tribal Council, with the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions alternating election cycles.

To learn more about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, visit https://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.

Media Contact: Lenox Hill; lhill@tegpr.com; (504) 352-5910

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