Horace Pierite, Jr.
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Horace Pierite, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Organizer and Incorporator of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana | |
| In office 1974-1981 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Horace Pierite Jr. March 17, 1908 |
| Died | June 15, 1985 (aged 77) Marksville, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Tunica Biloxi Cemetery, Marksville, Louisiana |
| Spouse | Sedonia Gaspard [1] |
| Children | Richard Pierite, Marceline Pierite, Ruby Leo Dauzat, Herman Pierite Brevelle, Villere "Pete" Brevelle Jr. [2] |
| Occupation | Farmer, Politician, Native American Rights Activist |
| Known for | Native American rights activist. Original incorporator and director, first Vice Chairman, and Councilman of the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. |
Horace Pierite Jr. (1908 − 1985) was an American politician, farmer, and Native American leader. [3]. Horace served his tribe and sovereign nation of the Tunica Biloxi Indians as Vice Chairman, Councilman, and Director. [4] [5]
Raised on the Tunica-Biloxi Indian reservation, in Marksville, Louisiana, Horace was the son of Chief Horace Pierrite Sr. of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe of Louisiana. The Tunica-Biloxi Indians were unable to obtain either attention or recognition of the State of Louisiana or United States Government. As a result, much of the tribe's land that was issued under Spanish Land Grant and treaty was illegally seized by local white farmers in the 19th and 20th centuries. [6] [7]
In 1974, Horace along with Joseph Pierrite, Jr., Sam Barbry, Jr., and Rose Marie Gallardo organized and incorporated the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Indians of Louisiana. Joseph Pierrite became the chairman and registered agent. Horace was elected Vice Chairman of the tribe. [8] Louisiana state recognition was achieved in 1975. In 1981, the Tunica-Biloxi tribe received federal recognition from the United States Government. This was a significant accomplishment and precedent in Native American rights. The Tunica Biloxi tribe was the first Native American tribe to be recognized by petition by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. [6] [9] [10]
Legacy[edit]
Horace's descendants carried on his fight for the rights of Native Americans and continued to help lead the indigenous peoples of Louisiana. Herman Brevelle was raised on the reservation and was the last family to farm the tribal lands with siblings Pete, Richard, Marceline, and Ruby. He participated in excavations of Native American sites and other archaeological research and is a decorated 24-year retired veteran of the US Army and Vietnam War Veteran. Grandson Robert Brevelle is the registered agent and tribal councilman at-large of the Adai Caddo Indians of Louisiana and Chairman of the Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society.[11] [12] Granddaughter Donna Jean Pierite Gilmore is the Ambassador at Paragon Casino and Resort of the Tunica Biloxi Tribe. [13]
See Also[edit]
- Tunica-Biloxi
- Marksville, Louisiana
- Mansura, Louisiana
- Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
- Isle Brevelle
- Horace Pierrite Sr.
References[edit]
- ^ "Mrs. Pierite Obituary". Alexandria Town Talk Newspaper. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ "Mrs. Pierite Obituary". Alexandria Town Talk Newspaper. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ "Horace Pierrite". Ancient Faces Genealogy. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE TUNICA - BILOXIE INDIANS OF LOUISIANA,INC". The University of Oklahoma Law Library. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "The-Tunica-Biloxi-Tribe-its-Culture-and-People". Hancock County Historical Society. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "1980 Bureau of Indian Affairs Summary Evidence for the Tunica Biloxi Tribe" (PDF). United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ "Petition #001: Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe, LA". United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ "ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE TUNICA - BILOXIE INDIANS OF LOUISIANA,INC". The University of Oklahoma Law Library. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Petition #001: Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe, LA". United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ Madeline Bordelon. "Tunica Biloxi celebrates 38 years as a federally recognized Indian Tribe". KALB News. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ "Tribal Council Biographies". Adai Caddo Indian Nation. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ Burleigh, Emily (2024-05-04). "Meet Your Neighbor: Robert Brevelle to head La. Genealogical and Historical Society". American Press. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ "Paragon Casino and Resort". Tunica Biloxi Tribe Casino and Resort. Retrieved February 18, 2024.