Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Marksville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1991-01-11

Duration: 00:09:26

Subjects: Tunica Treasure | Tunica-Biloxi Tribe | Native Americans

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Day, William Interviewee
• White, Rose Interviewee
• Ducote, Juanita Interviewee
• Byrd, Kathleen Interviewee
• Hunter, Donald Interviewee
• Sefcik, James Interviewee

This segment from the January 11, 1991, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Jeff Duhe’s report on the growing concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Tunica Treasure, priceless artifacts that were dug up from a Tunica-Biloxi cemetery by an amateur archaeologist. Duhe reports that the artifacts have not been handled properly in the years before they were given back to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and the tribe has been unsuccessful in their fundraising efforts to conserve the pieces. Duhe’s report also touches on the lack of funding to conserve items in the state museum system. He interviews: William Day, a tribal planner and curator; Rose White, Tunica-Biloxi tribe member; Juanita Ducote, Tunica-Biloxi tribe member; Kathleen Byrd, state archaeologist; Donald Hunter, archaeological conservationist; and James Sefcik, the state museum director. Host: Robert Collins