Carcieri Fix Critical to Tribal Sovereignty
For decades, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has worked tirelessly to repurchase land that was stolen from our Tribe. Having these traditional tribal lands back in rightful control has been essential to the efforts developing economic enterprises that greatly benefit both Native American citizens and non-Indian neighbors.
But a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling undermines the U.S. government’s ability to place stolen lands (that have been repurchased) into a trust for tribes. This situation has had a harmful impact on tribes across the country in their efforts to strengthen and build economies.
This ruling in Carcieri v. Salazar calls into question the historic sovereign control of tribal lands. The fallout from this ill-considered decision has disrupted the lives and local economies of Native American tribes across the nation, clouding the process with legal challenges and interfering with Native American tribes capability to fully develop tribal land in support of tribal citizens.
National tribal work provides a clear example of the profound importance of the tribal trust process in place before the ruling in Carcieri v. Salazar. Using tribal resources to repurchase land that was stolen from us allowed us to move on from the crimes of the past and focus on ambitious economic plans and building positive relationships with non-Indian neighbors and friends.
Thanks to the repurchase of land through the trust process, we have created several economic enterprises that protect and enhance the welfare and culture of tribal citizens. Without a tax base to fund governmental services, the tribal government operates several businesses to generate necessary revenue, including the Paragon Casino Resort, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The resort has welcomed millions of visitors over the past three decades and reinvested millions of dollars into our broader community.
Through strategic economic diversification, including our MobiLoans venture that provides direct-deposit credit line access, we continue to strengthen our financial stability while positioning ourselves for success in the years to come.
This experience has shown that success is shared by neighboring communities. The opening of Paragon Casino in 1994 stimulated an area-wide economic revitalization. Local unemployment rates fell to the national average, home prices rose, new roads were built, schools improved, and new businesses emerged. This benefited both tribal citizens and the broader community in central Louisiana.
Recent renovations and upgrades to the casino complex ensure its position as a premier entertainment destination, providing sustained employment opportunities and a resilient economic stimulus for our Tribe and the local community. It is a shining symbol of our determination to build a better future for our people.
Revenue from economic enterprises is critical to protecting and improving the welfare and culture of tribal citizens. And Native American businesses create substantial benefits for non-native neighbors and contribute to state and local government revenues. Our Tribe purchases more than $10 million annually in goods and services from local vendors, and we pay out more than $26 million in wages to predominantly non-Indian employees. We also have donated more than $3 million to local charities and paid the local Parish government over $25 million to assist with covering the costs associated with the demands placed on the community from the increased economic activity.
Native American tribe’s continued success hinges on the repurchase of land stolen from us. We call on Congress to amend the Indian Reorganization Act to restore its original purpose – empowering tribes to reclaim and manage their historic lands, driving economic growth and providing stability for tribal and non-tribal communities alike.
The negative impacts of the Carcieri v. Salazar ruling are clear. Restoring the ability of tribes to reclaim and manage their own lands will foster economic growth and create hope for the hopeless.
Let’s reverse the damaging effects of this decision, allowing us all to continue on the path toward justice and healing. With hope comes faith, and with faith, communities can thrive.
Marshall Pierite is the Chairman and CEO of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.
