Tunica-Biloxi Chairman delivers invocation at White House conference, strengthens partnerships and explores housing opportunities for Tribal communities
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Marshall Pierite recently participated in several engagements in Washington, D.C., strengthening relationships with federal officials and fellow Tribal leaders while advancing priorities that can benefit the Tribe and Indian Country.
On Tuesday, September 22, Chairman Pierite attended the White House Tribal Leadership Conference, where he delivered the invocation and provided remarks before Tribal leaders and senior federal officials from across the country.
The conference offered opportunities to hear directly from administration officials and engage on issues affecting Tribal nations, including sovereignty, economic opportunity, infrastructure, public safety, federal services and stronger government-to-government coordination.
Speakers included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, Treasurer of the United States Brandon Beach and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs William “Billy” Kirkland. Kathy Burgum also addressed addiction and recovery efforts in Native communities.
“Our responsibility is to make sure our citizens’ needs and our Tribe’s priorities are heard at the national level,” said Chairman Pierite. “These relationships create opportunities to protect our sovereignty, strengthen our economy and explore solutions that can improve life in our communities. We want to turn those conversations into lasting benefits for the Tunica-Biloxi people and Indian Country.”
The evening before the conference, the Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity hosted a mixer in partnership with Colusa Indian Energy and the Coalition of Large Tribes. The gathering brought together Tribal leaders, administration officials and partners to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration. As NACEP’s founder and president, Chairman Pierite continues to connect Tribal nations and expand economic opportunities throughout Indian Country.
While in Washington, Chairman Pierite also attended HUD’s 2026 Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall. The “Made in America” showcase featured manufactured, modular, 3D-printed and other housing technologies designed to increase supply, lower construction costs and make homeownership more attainable. The showcase provided an opportunity to explore approaches that could help address housing needs in Tribal communities.
Chairman Pierite’s participation reflects the Tribe’s continued commitment to maintaining a strong federal presence, building partnerships across Indian Country and identifying opportunities that can produce meaningful, long-term benefits for Tunica-Biloxi citizens.
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