ALEXANDRIA, La. – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will expand economic growth and research opportunities for both institutions. The five-year agreement will support the Tribe’s mission of developing educational opportunities for tribal members and provide vital workforce development resources for its 1,700 citizens nationwide.
“Education has always been a cornerstone of our Tribe’s vision for progress, sovereignty and innovation,” said Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. “Partnering with LSUA allows us to open more doors for our citizens and the community, ensuring that learning, leadership and cultural pride go hand in hand.”
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has long demonstrated a commitment to educational and community advancement through programming and partnerships. Through the combined efforts of the Tribe and LSUA to expand access to research and workforce opportunities, the MOU will benefit students, tribal citizens and the entire Central Louisiana region.
The agreement also promises academic opportunities for traditional students through first generation scholarships, in addition to continuing education for adult learners. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to partner with members of the Tribe to advance collaborative efforts.
“We are honored to formalize this partnership with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana,” said LSUA Chancellor Dr. Paul Coreil. “This MOU reinforces LSUA’s commitment to collaborating and building educational pathways that support Louisiana’s diverse communities.”
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is committed to furthering educational opportunities for its tribal members. They partner with universities across the state to provide fee-free education opportunities to tribal members, including Northwestern University, Tulane University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The Louisiana State University assists the Tribe with research and repatriation efforts for its artifacts and ancestral remains.
More information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana can be found at 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.
About Louisiana State University of Alexandria
Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) is a four-year public university serving Central Louisiana with programs in arts, sciences, business and education. As part of the LSU System, LSUA provides affordable and accessible education while preparing students for leadership and lifelong success. For more information about LSUA’s programs, visit www.lsua.edu.