Overview:
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Marshall Pierite has been appointed to the U.S. Treasury’s Tribal Advisory Committee to advocate for federal tax policies that strengthen Tribal sovereignty, economic self-determination and opportunities for Native communities.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Marshall Pierite has been appointed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC), a seven-member committee that advises the federal government on tax policies affecting Tribal nations, enterprises and citizens.
Pierite is one of three new members appointed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The committee provides Tribal leaders with a direct forum to recommend federal tax policies that affect Tribal economies, government operations and economic self-determination.
“Federal tax policy may be decided in Washington, but its impact is felt in our communities, in the businesses we build, the services we provide and the opportunities we create for our children,” Pierite said.
“I’ve spent more than 30 years working to strengthen our Tribe, and I know how much is at stake. Tribal sovereignty has to mean something in practice. I intend to make sure the realities facing Tribal governments are part of these conversations and advocate for policies that respect our right to determine our own future,” he said.
Established under the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014, the TTAC advises the Treasury secretary on issues related to Tribal taxation, training for Internal Revenue Service field agents and technical assistance for Tribal financial officers.
The committee’s work provides an opportunity for Tribal leaders to raise concerns and offer recommendations on federal tax policies that can affect Tribal government services, business development and the financial well-being of citizens.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Pierite brings more than three decades of experience in Tribal governance, economic development and public service to the committee. During his leadership of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, he has worked to advance Tribal sovereignty, expand economic opportunities and strengthen partnerships between Tribal governments and federal agencies.
His experience includes Tribal government operations, budgeting, infrastructure development and tax policy. In recognition of his leadership and contributions to Tribal economic development, Pierite was named the Native American Finance Officers Association’s 2022 Tribal Leader of the Year.
Pierite also brings experience representing Tribal interests in federal policymaking. He previously served on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s inaugural Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, which was established to strengthen government-to-government relationships and elevate Tribal perspectives in federal housing policy.
“Every Tribe has its own history, priorities, and economic circumstances, and the best federal policies are informed by the people who understand those realities firsthand,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach wrote in an Oct. 13 letter welcoming Pierite to the committee. “That is why your service to the TTAC matters.”
As the committee prepares to establish its priorities for the coming year and coordinate its next public meeting, Pierite will work alongside other Tribal leaders to develop recommendations addressing the challenges facing Tribal governments, strengthen economic self-determination and expand opportunities for future generations.
