Campaign Platform
A comprehensive vision for the future of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe
Economic Development and Opportunity for All Tribal Citizens
25 years ago, our tribe was strong and prosperous. Today, we have lost much of our wealth.
Something has to change.
Too many of our Tribal citizens are struggling, living paycheck to paycheck. As Tribal Chairman, I will make Tribal economic sovereignty a priority and commit to ensuring that financial well-being and flourishing are fundamental rights for every Tribal citizen.
Policy Proposals:
- Five-Year Plan for Tribal Enterprises — Any Tribal citizen whose business has been successful for five consecutive years will have the opportunity for it to become a Tribal enterprise.
- Legalization of Medical Cannabis, with accompanying research about the viability of recreational legalization.
- Launching a job guarantee program for all Tribal citizens.
- Launching an entrepreneurship fund with private and federal funds to make capital available to Tribal citizens who are business owners or are hoping to start a business.
- Leverage Tribal enterprises to support Tunica businesses.
- Redirect revenue from Paragon Casino and other Tribal enterprises to build a robust post-gaming economy for our people, fueled by businesses and job creation in tourism, agriculture, film, digital media, the arts, manufacturing, and technology.
Fighting Corruption and Ensuring Transparency
Our Tribe receives millions of federal dollars, but too many Tribal citizens are in the dark about how this money is allocated and who the largest beneficiaries are. Often, we don't even have the opportunity to ask our leadership questions because our monthly meetings are routinely canceled.
As Tribal chairman, I will change this immediately–no more nepotism, no more corruption, and no more exploitation of OUR money to benefit a small few. Every member of the tribe has a right to know how they are being governed.
Policy Proposals:
- Make the salaries of Council members and all executives in Tribal enterprises public to all Tribal citizens.
- Release detailed financials of tribal enterprises.
- Tribal meetings monthly, no matter what the weather is.
Constitutional Change and Tribal Sovereignty
As one of the first Tribes to gain federal recognition and a pioneer in Tribal sovereignty, our Tribe must innovate and remain on the frontline in Tribal law and constitutional governance.
Policy Proposals:
- Formally separate the Judicial and Executive powers of the tribe
- Have Tribal law experts review the Tunica code of ordinances and constitution.
- Council as a Stepping Stone to Federal Politics — Use our Tribal Council to cultivate leaders who can represent us on a state, national, and international level.
- Tribal Expert Assessment — Invite Indigenous governance experts to evaluate our Tribal Nation. If we do not measure ourselves, we cannot grow.
Empowering our Next Generation of Leaders
The youth are our future and our most important investment. If we want them to succeed, we must give them as many opportunities as we can. The Youth Council is just one step in the right direction; we must be training the Youth to be the next generation of leaders, not just for the Tribe, but also the world.
Policy Proposals:
- Create more extracurricular enrichment programs for Tunica youth during the school year, during summer, and after graduation, including in arts, sports, language, and mixed martial arts.
- Formalize the role of the Youth Council.
- Ensure Seventh Generation Youth Council-to-Council leadership.
- Educational assessment– Bring in Education experts to craft a comprehensive plan to increase our educational facilities and programs.
Cultural and Linguistic Revitalization
We must recognize that our Nation must be led through our ancestral languages and implement their use in all aspects of governance and community life.
Our artists deserve greater support, and our story must be recorded.
Policy Proposals:
- Work with local schools attended by Tribal youth to make the Tunica language available to future generations.
- Begin preliminary implementation of the Tunica language in governance.
- Launch a Tunica Digital Media and Arts Department to create job opportunities for Tunica artists under official Tribal structures and enterprises to support their financial well-being and promote our art to the world.
- Work with Indigenous scholars who seek to study our history, culture, and language.
Land Back
Our Tribal lands measure 1717 acres, 1% of the average size of Tribal land. It's time to start restoring our ancestral homeland and increasing the scope of our sovereignty.
Policy Proposals:
- Beginning the acquisition of Marksville, something we should have done years ago.
- Advocacy on behalf of our tribal members in Illinois and Texas to secure trust lands.
- More efficient utilization of Tribal lands for tourism and the environment.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join our movement for change. Together, we can build a brighter future for all Tribal citizens.