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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97
BY SENATOR LAFLEUR
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its many contributions made to the
state with its history, culture, and people, and to proclaim Wednesday, May 2, 2012,
as Tunica-Biloxi Day at the Senate.
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana was accepted as a member of the
federation of Indian tribes recognized by the Congress of the United States in 1981; and
WHEREAS, since that time the state of Louisiana has enjoyed a productive,
amicable, and mutually beneficial relationship with the tribe; and
WHEREAS, the historic significance of the Tunica and Biloxi tribes dates back
numerous millennia to the original inhabitants of the Americas; as their ancestors resided in
the territory that later became the state of Louisiana since time immemorial; as they were the
first Native Americans to greet French colonizers, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, in 1669; and
WHEREAS, separate components of the two groups later amalgamated into the
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in the latter portion of the eighteenth century; and
WHEREAS, members of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe fought alongside Don Bernardo de
Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana, and celebrated the victory over British military
forces in the Battle of Baton Rouge in 1779, the only battle of the American Revolution
fought outside of the original thirteen colonies; and
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe now resides on its Indian reservation lands
located in Avoyelles Parish, ceded to the tribe by the King of Spain in 1778; and
WHEREAS, historically, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has preserved key elements of the
anthropology of the Americas within its sacred burial mounds, including a treasure trove of
artifacts dated back to before recorded history that remain a rich chronicle of the past; and
WHEREAS, these antiquities indigenous to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe have greatly SR NO. 97 ENROLLED
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enriched the cultural, artistic, and spiritual heritage of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, some of these artifacts, known as the "Tunica Treasure", were the focus
of litigation to reclaim tribal property pilfered from burial sites, which resulted in the largest
recovery of archaeological relics ever unearthed in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, these items went on exhibit in the tribal burial mound museum
to be studied by scholars and enjoyed by visitors from around the world; and
WHEREAS, construction of a new museum is now underway as part of a unique
educational and cultural complex, the Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resources
Center, to include such elements as a library, conservation laboratory, auditorium, gift shop,
conference rooms, and long-distance learning classrooms; a unique facility, second to none,
located on a Native American reservation; and
WHEREAS, future plans for conservation and academic exploration of Tunica-Biloxi
archaeology will be developed in partnership with state universities that will offer higher
education curricula and degree program opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has contributed to the
rejuvenation of service economies in central Louisiana and has brought much needed
employment and prosperity to citizens of the state as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Paragon Casino and Resort, operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, is a
vital partner in the commerce of the region; and
WHEREAS, the political leadership of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has
consistently exhibited great honor, integrity, foresightedness, honesty, and solicitude for its
people, thus constituting a major force for progress in the state of Louisiana, the parish of
Avoyelles, and those municipalities surrounding its reservation, to the benefit of all; and
WHEREAS, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has shared its outstanding contributions of
economic stimulus and of a wealth of sacred anthropological antiquities with all of
Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana for its spirit of community and
culture and does hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 2, 2012, as Tunica-Biloxi Day at the
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE