
- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Join us as Levi Rickert of Native News Online sits down with Chairman Marshall Pierite, the dynamic leader from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and a front-running candidate for the presidency of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
Pierite from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has dedicated his career to advancing his Tribe and community. As a Marine Corps veteran, Chairman Pierite’s 30 years of Tribal leadership and service were built from the ground up working in several roles within Tribal administration. Throughout his tenure on the Tribal Council, Pierite has worked extensively on various aspects of tribal government, including budgeting, infrastructure development, economic development, community development, and tax policy development. He also possesses a strong track record in corporate governance, having served as the CEO of MobiLoans and Chairman of its Board of Directors, overseeing its growth into a multi-million-dollar financial service institution. Additionally, he is the founder and owner of The Pierite Group, LLC, co-founder of Tribal Solutions Medical, and a founding member of Tribal Communications. His commitment extends to various board and committee roles, and he has received recognition as the 2022 Tribal Leader of the Year by the Native American Finance Officers Association.
Get an in-depth look into Pierite's vision of how the NCAI can propel Indian Country even further. With a sterling record from serving in the Marine Corps to 30 years in Tribal leadership, and an accolade as the 2022 Tribal Leader of the Year, Chairman Pierite's insights are not to be missed.
Tune into Native Bidaské stream on the Native News Online Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube social media accounts, and subscribe to our channel.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
AIANTA Seeks International Travelers to Visit Indian Country at Conference
Native News Weekly (June 22, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher