Horace Pierite, Jr.

Horace Pierite Jr. (1908 − 1985) was an American politician, farmer, and Native American leader.^[3] Horace served his tribe and sovereign nation of the Tunica Biloxi Indians as Vice Chairman, Councilman, and Director. ^{[4] [5]}

Raised on the Tunica-Biloxi Indian reservation, in Marksville, Louisiana, Horace was the son of Chief Horace Pierrite Sr. of the Tunica-Biloxi tribe of Louisiana. The Tunica-Biloxi Indians were unable to obtain either attention or recognition of the State of Louisiana or United States Government. As a result, much of the tribe's land that was issued under Spanish Land Grant and treaty was illegally seized by local white farmers in the 19th and 20th centuries. ^{[6] [7]}

In 1974, Horace along with Joseph Pierrite, Jr., Sam Barbry, Jr., and Rose Marie Gallardo organized and incorporated the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Indians of Louisiana. Joseph Pierrite became the chairman and registered agent. Horace was elected Vice Chairman of the tribe. ^[8] Louisiana state recognition was achieved in 1975. In 1981, the Tunica-Biloxi tribe received federal recognition from the United States Government. This was a significant accomplishment and precedent in Native American rights. The Tunica Biloxi tribe was the first Native American tribe to be recognized by petition by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. ^{[6] [9] [10]}