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The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and its members are proud to announce the re-election of Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. as Vice-Chairman and Harold Pierite, Sr. as a council member, in addition to the election of James Craig, III as a council member.

“We’re excited to have all three of these men serving on our Tribal Council,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “I am confident that Marshall Ray and Harold will continue to serve the Tribe well, just as they have always done, and I am eager to see the fresh perspective James will bring to our council.”

Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr. has served on the Tribal Council as a Council Member-at-Large since the spring of 1997 and most recently, as Vice-Chairman. Over the years he has worked on budgeting, educational development, political development, community development and has experience in marketing, operations, budgeting, employee training, business development, community relations and expense control. Sampson has more than 23 years of experience in Tribal Government Operations, Gaming, Information Systems, Marketing and Hospitality Administration. He has also served on numerous community and pan-Native American boards on local and regional levels. An employee of the Paragon Casino since 1995, Sampson now holds the position of Assistant General Manager of Operations.

Harold Pierite, Sr. was also re-elected as a Council Member-at-Large. Pierite serves as board member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and has been a member of the tribal council for more than 15 years. Currently serving as the chief of police for the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department for more than 20 years, Pierite also sits on the board of directors for Mobiloans, LLC. In 2017 and again in 2020, he was appointed to the Louisiana State Police Commission, representing the State’s 5th Congressional District.

James Craig, III, who is from Chicago, IL, is the newly elected council member. Before Craig was elected, he was a Relationship Manager at Bank of America, where he helped low income and high-income clients by educating them on day to day personal finances, established new relationships with high clientele and created business relationships with business owners. Craig holds the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Illinois National Guard. His Military Occupation Specialty is Interrogation Operations Sergeant, where he oversees a special team of soldiers that conducts interrogations for international matters. During his tenure with the military, he has deployed two times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, leading soldiers at the front lines. He has previously worked for MB Financial, Fifth Third Bank and Harley Davidson.

Dear Citizens of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana,
 
The global pandemic of Novel Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has hit our home state of Louisiana hard with an infection rate that is exceeding the rest of the country. We now must take urgent additional steps to protect our Community.
 
After careful deliberation, and in consultation with healthcare authorities and our local, state and federal partners, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council advises all Tribal Members to self-isolate by remaining at home for a period of at least two weeks. Please only leave your home for emergencies, such as seeking necessary medical attention or to purchase essential goods and services. Also, please refrain from any unnecessary gatherings. Tribal members are allowed to vote on April 5^th for the Tribal Council elections, however.
 
We recognize this stay-at-home request, along with prior orders closing schools, canceling Tribal events and enacting other restrictions, impacts each of our daily lives. Everyone has seen the devastation in communities where COVID-19 has become prevalent. We must do everything we can to stop the spread of this illness to protect our elders, children and fellow Citizens. Lives are at stake.
 
The good news is we as individuals can do our part to help break the chain of virus transmission by doing something simple: staying at home. This will help prevent Tribal and regional healthcare facilities from becoming overwhelmed with patients requiring attention.
 
This is a time for smart action, not fear or panic. Measures already enacted have closed or canceled non-essential Tribal offices and events and eliminated non-essential travel by Tribal employees. Please check Tribal and State websites for the latest on services and programs.
 
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a monumental task, but this is something we can – and must – do together. Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses and other members of the medical community who are fighting at all hours to contain the spread of COVID-19 and treat those who have tested positive. Thank you, also, to the first responders, essential personnel and employees who are joining in this effort to protect our community. The small sacrifice we make together will help ensure our community emerges from this challenge stronger and more unified than ever.
 
Sincerely,
Chairman Marshall Pierite

Tribal Members,

As you all know, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council declared a state of emergency on March 12, 2020 in response to the spread of COVID-19. Due to continued safety concerns, the Tribal Council has made the decision to temporarily close Paragon Casino Resort beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17.

While Paragon serves as an essential economic driver for Marksville, LA and the surrounding area, safety and health are top priorities for our community at large and our Tribe. We believe it is in the best interest of Paragon’s employees, patrons and Tribal members, to close Paragon facilities out of an abundance of caution.

Additionally, the Tunica-Biloxi reservation will remain open, but only essential Tribal employees will be working on the reservation. In the interim, we are still available to assist with any needs you and your family might have. We urge you to communicate with the Tribe and Tribal Council accordingly.

As mentioned in previous updates, the Tribal Council is continuing to coordinate with local, state and federal agencies including the Federal Center for Disease Control and the Louisiana Governor’s Office to address ongoing concerns, especially those of our Tunica-Biloxi families. To view our previous update on the Tribe’s response to COVID-19, click here.

For updates and announcements from the Tribe, please visit our website and official Facebook page. Additionally, for the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Louisiana Department of Health website and the Center for Disease Control website.

Sincerely,
Your Tribal Council

March 12, 2020

Dear Tribal Members,

On March 12, 2020, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Tribal Council declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, the general membership meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 14 has been officially postponed until further notice.

In an effort to prevent potential spread of the virus, a travel ban has also been issued for all employees of the Tribal Government. The Tribe is currently coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies including the Federal Center for Disease Control and the Louisiana Governor’s Office to address ongoing concerns of Tunica-Biloxi families. 

The Tribe encourages members to follow official updates from the Federal Center for Disease Control to prevent the spread of the virus, including, but not limited to: following strict handwashing procedures, performing routine environmental cleaning, and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Our priority is ensuring the health and well-being of our Tribal members. We also ask that you take a moment to check on all of our families, especially Tribal Elders and our most vulnerable. In the interim, please communicate with the Tribe and the Tribal Council if there is anything that may be needed.

For updates and announcements from the Tribe, please follow our official website and Facebook page. Additionally, for the latest information on COVID-19, visit the LDH website and the CDC website.

Sincerely,

Your Tribal Council

Tunica-Biloxi Police Chief Re-Appointed to Commission

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is proud to announce that Gov. John Bel Edwards has re-appointed Chief Harold Pierite to the State Police Commission. Pierite, who was nominated by Loyola University, will represent the 5^th Congressional District, which covers most of the northeastern and central portions of Louisiana and includes major cities like Monroe and Alexandria.

The State Police Commission is comprised of seven members that have exclusive jurisdiction and final authority over the administration of the state police service. The commission’s purpose is to serve as an impartial review board that authorizes and resolves State Police Commission Rules in order to regulate state police personnel activities, while also hearing appeals from hired, full-time law enforcement officers.

“I’m honored that Gov. Edwards continues to instill his trust in me to fulfill this role,” said Pierite. “I promise to serve the 5^th Congressional District of Louisiana to the best of my abilities and to consistently and effectively perform my duties as a member of the commission.”

Pierite serves as board member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and has been a member of the tribal council for more than 15 years. He currently serves as the chief of police for the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department and has done so for more than 20 years. He is a 1992 graduate of the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy and received his Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in the same year. Prior to his role as chief of police with the Tunica-Biloxi Police Department, Pierite was employed as a Mansura patrol officer, Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol officer and a Tunica-Biloxi police officer.

TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA TO HOST EDUCATION DAY AHEAD OF ANNUAL POW WOW

Tribe Encourages Local Schools To Participate In Native American Arts, Storytelling, Music and Dance

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana invites area children, students and families to come out and discover the diverse and vibrant traditions of Native Americans from across the U.S. at the Education Day ahead of their annual Pow Wow. The event will take place Friday, May 19, 2017 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Mari Showroom in the Paragon Casino in Marksville, LA. Admission is free.

The event will include Pow Wow dance demonstrations where dancers will perform and explain various dance styles and adornments from numerous Native American tribes. Attendees are invited to participate in the dance demonstrations. Additionally, the Tribe invites children to try their hand at using traditional tools and toys as well as learn about basketry, clothing and jewelry of tribes from various regions. The Tunica- Biloxi Singers & Legend Keepers will also share tribal folklore, language and songs with participants.

For reservations please contact Elisabeth Mora at emora@tunica.org or call (318) 240-6432.

 

To see a full list of all our upcoming events click here.

 

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has announced the hiring of Kurt W. Schmidt as Chief Financial Officer of Paragon Casino Resort. Schmidt will be responsible for the accounting and financial functions of the property.

Schmidt brings to Paragon over 35 years experience as a CPA and 25 years experience as a CFO. Schmidt has an MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has served as the CFO or CEO for 6 different Native American tribal gaming organizations in the Midwest and Southwest.

Most recently Schmidt served as the Interim CEO for the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona, overseeing all existing operations in addition to a project manager role for the construction of a brand new casino. Prior to Arizona, he served for 3 years as the gaming CEO for the Omaha Tribe of Iowa and Nebraska, where he again oversaw the construction of a new casino. While his CEO experience has significantly expanded his overall knowledge of gaming operations, Kurt says he is very happy to return to his CFO roots.

“This is an exciting time to join Paragon Casino Resort,” said Kurt Schmidt. “The refresh of our gaming floor along with a new marketing and branding campaign will plant the seed to grow the business and better serve our valued guests. I have been very impressed with both the friendliness and work ethic displayed by the staff here at Paragon. This is a team I’m really looking forward to working with.”

“We are proud to have Mr. Schmidt join and lead the finance efforts at Paragon Casino Resort,” said General Manager Michael Hamilton. “Kurt’s experience working in all aspects of tribal gaming along with his extensive background in improving both operational and financial efficiencies will be of great value to the resort, our team members, and ultimately our guests as well.”