20th Century To Present
Gradually the remnants of other local tribes (the Ofo, Avoyel, and Biloxi) merged into the Tunica. The descendants also intermarried with the local European-American and African-American neighbors. By the late 20th century, they had mostly adapted Euro-American lifeways and mostly speak English and French. They have preserved much of their ethnic identity, maintaining their tribal government and the Chieftainship up to the mid 1970s.
The modern Tunica-Biloxi tribe was recognized by the federal government in 1981. They live in Mississippi and east central Louisiana. The modern tribe is composed of Tunica, Biloxi (a Siouan speaking people from the Gulf coast), Ofo (also a Siouan people), Avoyel ( a Natchezan people), Mississippi Choctaw, European and African ancestry. Many live on the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Reservation in central Avoyelles Parish, just south of the city of Marksville, Louisiana. A part of the city extends onto reservation land.
The reservation has a land area of 1.682 km² (0.6495 sq mi, or 415.68 acres). Currently, they operate Louisiana's first land based casino, Paragon Casino Resort, opened in Marksville in June 1994. The casino is known for its contributions back to its members. The 2000 census lists 648 persons identified as Tunica.
Tribal government currently consists of an elected tribal council and tribal chairman. They maintain their own police force, health services, education department, housing authority, and court system. The tribal chairman since 1978 has been Earl J. Barbry, Sr.
Read more about this topic: Tunica-Biloxi
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