“We take great pride in being able to provide these funds to our parish and community, especially during what has been a terribly difficult year for so many,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “We are hopeful that this funding, which comes from the community’s continued support for Paragon, will support significant improvements throughout Avoyelles Parish and better serve residents and neighbors now and into the future.”
Due to the success of Paragon Casino Resort in the third quarter of 2020, the Tribe was able to make a contribution to Avoyelles Parish which is the gaming compact agreement that the Tribe has with the state of Louisiana. Since Paragon Casino Resort opened its doors 26 years ago, the Tribe has been able to provide more than $29 million to local entities through these quarterly distributions.
“We are so glad to see that businesses like Paragon Casino Resort are thriving in our community and are grateful for what these funds will enable us to do for our parish,” said Police Jury Chairman Kirby Roy.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana’s Language and Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) has partnered with Tulane University to lead two Tunica Language immersion workshops in December and January via Zoom. The workshops are a fast and fun way to learn, speak and understand the Tunica language. Tunica-Biloxi parents are welcome to attend the Youth Workshop with their children if they wish to do so.
There is no charge for participating in the workshops and beginners are welcome. Contact Jessica Barbry at (318) 240-6469 or jabarbary@tunica.org for more information and to sign up!
Youth Workshop: Ages 11-16 December 30th 10AM – 1PM
Join us on Zoom on Tuesday, December 22nd at 6:30 p.m. CST for a special (virtual) Christmas Greeting from Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite! The Chairman will take this time to give an update to the Tribe, highlight recent accomplishments and address plans moving forward into the new year. John Barby will also use this time to introduce the new U.S. Department of Education grant titled ‘Tunica-Biloxi Education Program (TBEP) to Improve Academic Success & Career Readiness.’ You don’t want to miss this special address! All of the Zoom information can be found below.
On November 12th, Donna Pierite and Elisabeth Pierite Mora led members of Procter & Gamble’s Native American Network (NAN) through a 1-hour, virtual pine needle basket workshop. Through the workshop 25 P&G staff members learned the history of the craft and were led step-by-step through how to get their baskets started.
This is just one of the many ways that Tunica-Biloxi and P&G have worked together over the years. In addition to P&G donating PPE to the Tribe at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the company’s employees assisting at Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wows in the past, members of the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Revitalization Program (LCRP) have visited P&G’s Alexandria plant and educated staff on Native American culture through Diversity and Inclusion Workshops.
“The partnership between the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and the P&G NAI Team over the years has been remarkable,” said Brandon Vanderberg, P&G employee and leader of the Alexandria Plant’s Native American Network. “We are grateful for what they bring to our community. We hope to continue building this relationship for many years.”
The United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) recently interviewed Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Marshall Pierite to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and learn more about what it means to him.
About United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)
Established in 1969, the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) is a non-profit, inter-Tribal organization promoting the interests of and advocating for 33 federally-recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. USET is dedicated to enhancing the development of Tribal Nations, improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and improving the quality of life for Indian people through a variety of technical and supportive programmatic services. For more information, click here.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is committed to providing assistance to eligible individuals who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribe will provide targeted relief payments to those who certify that they have experienced physical or financial hardship due to this public health crisis. This means any amount of this assistance will be determined by the Tribe. Those wishing to receive assistance must fill out the following application to receive assistance.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana respects the privacy of its members and strictly adheres to HIPAA, and all other federal data privacy laws; therefore, all form submissions will be directed to our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Webb and Mrs. Martha Ketcher, the Tribe’s Health Consultant, who are both HIPAA certified.
Some examples of needs are:
Financial aid when unemployment is inadequate to meet a family’s basic needs.
Rent and mortgage assistance due to financial hardship caused by COVID-19.
A reduction in pay and or benefits from an employer because of COVID-19.
Financial assistance to help with caring for an elderly family member at home due to cases of COVID-19 at the family member’s residential care facility.
Financial assistance for food and prescription delivery because a family has member(s) that are at risk of death or serious illness from COVID-19.
To download a printable application, click here. We request that this printable form is only used if you or a loved one do not have access to a computer to fill out the online form.
Printed forms should be returned to: Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Attention: Yona Consulting Services P. O. Box 1589 Marksville, LA 71351 YonaConsultingServices@tunica.org
For more information on the Tribe’s COVID-19 response, click here.
About: Dr. George Williams will conduct a series of STE(A)M sessions to familiarize participants with the technology and skills necessary for motion and movement in Deep HoriXon (Virtual 3D environment). Explore various career opportunities in the field of Information Technology and Computer Science. Discover the basics of programming and apply these concepts to creating an algorithm for a dance performance. Learn how to use mathematical x, y, z coordinates to build a trophy for the dance performance in the virtual 3D world. Participate as a team to plan and present a dance performance.
Session dates:
Thursday, November 5th 6:00pm – Orientation Saturday, November 7th 10:00am – Deep HoriXon Thursday, December 10th 6:00pm – Project Trouble Shooting Saturday, November 14th 10:00am – Deep HoriXon Saturday, December 7th 10:00am – Deep HoriXon Saturday, December 12th 10:00am – Deep HoriXon (Dance Off Competition and Trophy)
A series of virtual painting sessions to promote project-based learning and family-building opportunities in which students gain an introduction to the fine arts pathway. Art supplies will be provided. Join in for this fun and creative activity…
Session dates:
Saturday, November 21, 2020 10:00am – 11:00am Saturday, December 19, 2020 10:00am – 11:00am Saturday, January 9, 2020 10:00am – 11:00am
Funds will expand Tribe’s police station and court to enhance operations
For a high-resolution photo of the Tribe’s Police Department, click here.
Marksville, LA – (Oct. 27, 2020) –The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana’s Police Department has been selected to receive the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Grant from the United States Department of Justice. The grant is valued at $979,000 and will be used to renovate and expand the Tribe’s police station by approximately 4,100 square feet as well as expand the court which includes the addition of a law library and conference room, and a larger file room with public access. Both the Police Station and Tribal Court are located on the Tribal reservation in Marksville, Louisiana.
“We are honored to be recognized by the United States Department of Justice and to receive this generous grant to renovate our Tribe’s police station and court,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “Our Tribal Police Department is a vital part of our community, as they help ensure a safe environment for our citizens. This expansion of their facilities will help the department to improve operations.”
The project will begin in the first quarter of 2021 and is expected to last ten months.
“The Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police Department will be able to protect our community better than ever before through the support of this grant,” said Tunica-Biloxi Police Chief Harold Pierite. “The renovation of our police department and court will be transformational for our Tribal Police and will vastly improve our day-to-day operations. We are thrilled to be able to enhance the quality of safety in our community and to better protect our beloved citizens.”
The mission of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police Department is to enhance the quality of life on the reservation by providing professional police services to the public, maintain order, protect life and property, prevent crime, apprehend criminals, reduce fear and manage a safe environment by enforcing the laws of the United States Constitution, the state of Louisiana, the Parish of Avoyelles and The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.
The primary function of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Court is to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana by applying the Code of Civil Procedure. The Tribal Court provides services to all tribal citizens living on and off the reservation as well as Paragon’s employees and guests.
To learn more about the United States Department of Justice’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Grant, click here.
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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 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.
For photos of last year’s basketry summit, click here. For a photo of special guest, Nan MacDonald, click here. For a video from the 1st Annual Basketry Summit, click here.
The LCRP aims to keep Tribal citizens connected with traditional artisans and the community, which is why the 5th Annual Basketry Summit will be hosted as a two-hour virtual weaving session. The goal of the Summit is to educate the community and younger generations on the history and culture of the Tribe through interactive, live demonstrations showcasing the unique designs the tribes are known for in an effort to keep the ancient art of basket weaving alive.
“Even though the COVID-19 pandemic won’t allow us to gather in-person for this special annual event, we are still excited to gather virtually to learn from our neighbors and come together as a community,” said John Barbry, Director of the Language and Culture Revitalization Program within the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. “There is so much to be learned about our unique Native American culture and this event is the perfect way to celebrate our shared heritage to ensure the traditions and craft of basketry lives on for generations.”
Tunica-Biloxi Tribal citizens, as well as weavers from neighboring American Indian communities will demonstrate southeast basket traditions using long leaf pine needles, river cane and palmetto. Nan MacDonald, master weaver and cultural consultant working with the Coquille Indian Tribe on the southern Oregon coast, will be the guest presenter. Nan will be joined by Mr. Kent Rilatos, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians and board member of the Siletz Tribal Museum, for the presentation. Together, the two will present about Bear Grass to explain it’s vital role in Pacific Northwest Culture and how it has been gathered and used for generations for making patterns on fine basketry, adornment on ceremonial regalia, necklaces and bandoliers.
Basketry is an enduring and distinguishing indigenous art form. For years, many Tunica and Biloxi weavers made baskets from local plants, such as dyed river cane, and sold the baskets, or lƆhka (in Tunica), for income. Each element of the weave and design are steeped in the history and heritage of the Tribe. The Annual Basketry Summit is just one of the many ways that the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe works to preserve its culture.
The event is free and open to the public. Participants are responsible for sourcing their own basket making materials which can be found here. All weavers and observers must have their own computer device with a camera and microphone to participant and are encouraged to register in advance by contacting Jessica Barbry, jabarbry@tunica.org, (318) 240-6469.
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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 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.
Flu Vaccines will be available to tribal members, their families, Mobiloans and Tunica-Biloxi employees on Friday, October 23 and Monday, October 26 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Tunica-Biloxi Health Department.
Vaccines will be administered at the back of the Health Department building. No appointment necessary.
For more information please call Tashina Pierite at (318) 240-6438 or 240-6435.
