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Marksville, LA – (Oct. 31, 2022) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana hosted its 6th Annual Intertribal Basketry Summit on October 29th at Paragon Casino Resort after taking a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tunica-Biloxi Language & Culture Revitalization Program invited basket weavers from regional Native American communities to demonstrate weaving techniques that are unique to their culture and heritage. The Summit provided a space for Native Americans to showcase their weaving and basketry techniques and highlight the elements of their culture through the distinct materials, patterns and colors used in their crafts.
The art of basket weaving has endured for centuries and is easily distinguishable between tribes. Both Tunica and Biloxi weavers used local plants, such as dyed river cane, to weave baskets and occasionally sell them in markets as a form of income. Although tribal members no longer rely on basketry for a living, the cultural value of weaving is still very much alive.
Director of the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Revitalization Program John Barbry said, "Weaving is an important part of our culture, and has been for centuries. We’re proud to teach this tradition to the next generation of Weavers to ensure the endurance of our ancestors’ legacy.”
Visitors from across the state learned about the cultural differences and similarities between Louisiana tribes' weaving techniques. Those who wanted to learn pine needle weaving and display their crafted baskets could do so alongside tribal members.
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About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana:
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near Marksville, where they were skilled traders and entrepreneurs. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,500 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received federal recognition in 1981 for its reservation within the boundaries of Louisiana. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. Through its compact, negotiated by the late Tribal Chairman Earl J. Barbry Sr. and the State of Louisiana, the Tribe has assisted local governments in the area with its quarterly distribution of funds, totaling more than $40 million over two decades. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit www.tunica.org and “like” us on Facebook.
