The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is marking 45 years of federal recognition, honoring the generations of Tribal citizens and leaders who worked to preserve the Tribe’s identity and secure its relationship with the United States.
The Tribe’s federal recognition became effective on September 25, 1981, following years of work to document the Tunica-Biloxi people’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.
Among those who helped lead the effort was the late Chairman Earl J. Barbry Sr., who guided the Tribe through the federal recognition process and into a new era of Tribal self-government and economic development.
When the federal recognition process was completed, the Tribe had approximately 200 members. Today, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has approximately 1,700 enrolled citizens living throughout the United States.
The Tribe’s reservation remains in Marksville, where the Tunica-Biloxi people have deep ancestral roots. Significant communities of Tribal citizens also live in the Houston and Chicago areas.
“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.”
Pierite said the anniversary is an opportunity to honor previous generations while preparing for the future.
“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,” he said.
Building a Stronger Tribal Nation
Federal recognition established a formal government-to-government relationship between the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and the United States and provided a foundation for the Tribe to expand governmental services and opportunities for its citizens.
Over the past 45 years, the Tribe has developed programs and services addressing education, housing, health, public safety, language, culture and economic development.
The Tribe has also expanded its economic presence in Central Louisiana.
In 1994, the Tribe opened what is now Paragon Casino Resort. The facility has become a major employer in the region and an important source of economic opportunity for Tribal citizens and the surrounding community.
Economic development has been accompanied by efforts to preserve Tunica-Biloxi culture.
The Tribe continues language revitalization efforts and operates the Cultural and Educational Resources Center, known as CERC, which supports the preservation and transmission of Tribal history, language and traditions.
Those efforts have helped strengthen the Tribe’s presence in Avoyelles Parish and throughout Central Louisiana while maintaining connections to its ancestral homeland.
Looking to the Next Generation
The 45th anniversary is also a time for the Tribe to recognize its relationship with the broader Central Louisiana community.
“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.
Deshotel said the Tribe has been a valued partner in Avoyelles Parish, working with local leaders and residents to create opportunities and improve the quality of life in the region.
“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,” he said.
For the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, the anniversary represents more than a date marking federal recognition. It reflects decades of work by Tribal citizens to maintain their identity, strengthen their government and create opportunities for future generations.
As the Tribe looks toward the next 45 years, its priorities include strengthening Tribal sovereignty, expanding opportunities for citizens, preserving Tunica-Biloxi culture and ensuring future generations inherit a strong and thriving Tribal Nation.
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