Luke for Chairman | Tunica-Biloxi Tribe

Luke has attended Tribal meetings since the age of five and has directly served the tribe ever since joining the Seventh Generation Youth Council. While serving as the Cultural Chair of the Youth Council, Luke was tasked with bringing back the culture to the tribe. Now, he plans to use everything he learned to continue that mission as Tribal Chairman.

Luke has studied how other Indigenous Nations build sustainable economies while strengthening sovereignty—he knows our wealth loss wasn't inevitable. His rare combination of language fluency, strategic governance knowledge, and connection to our youth makes him the leadership our Tribe needs now: someone rooted in our past, uncompromising about our future.

A Voice for Our Language

Luke is one of the few speakers of the Tunica-Biloxi language, and he is committed to giving every Tunica youth the opportunity to learn their ancestral tongue. If elected, Luke would be the first member of Tribal Council to speak the Tunica language.

Education and Experience

Velasquez would be the first college-educated Chairman, having graduated from WashU with a Political Science degree. During his time there, he led the school's American Indian Student Association.

For years, Luke has represented the Tribe at the national level, meeting with other Tribal Nations, Louisiana government officials, various politicians, and even at the White House.

Beyond Politics

Beyond his political work, Luke has pursued both sports and art at the highest levels.

Martial Arts

Luke has over a decade of martial arts experience that led to him receiving his blue belt from UFC veteran Kyle Watson. During his training, Luke has trained and sparred with some of the world's most accomplished fighters.

The Arts

Luke is an avid painter, dancer, and filmmaker. His art is all inspired by the Tunica-Biloxi people, culture, and history. His art has been featured in galleries, and his professionally produced documentary on the Tunica-Biloxi people was broadcast on PBS.

A Vision for Our Future

Throughout all of this, Luke is guided by a love for his people. As Chairman, his policy direction would increase the Tribe's economic power, fight corruption, strengthen opportunities for Tribal Youth, and give the Tunica-Biloxi's culture and history the attention it deserves.