TUNICA-BILOXI

 

·       French and Spanish colonial governments relied on the Tunica for trade, diplomacy with other tribes and as a barrier between the British.

 

·       Tunica formed a relationship with the French as early as 1699.

 

·       The English and English armed Chickasaw slave traders brought the French and Tunica together and prompted the Tunica to move from the Yazoo River basin halfway to New Orleans.

 

·       They establishing themselves at the juncture of the Red River and Mississippi rivers, this gave them a commanding position on trade routes between the two river valleys and New Orleans.

 

·       The Grand Tunica Village provided a buffer between the French and Natchez tribe and would later serve as the French headquarter during the Natchez wars.

 

·       The Tunica participated in the Pontiac rebellion by attacking an English settlement party in 1764 not long after France had lost their North American colonies.

 

·       The transfer of the French colonies to Spain was a convenient one since the Tunica favored the Spanish for their promise to honor previous agreements established with the French and

·       The Indian nations.

 

·       In 1779, Tunica warriors fought during the American Revolution side by side with Spanish Governor Bernardo de Galvez by attacking British post at Manchac and Baton Rouge.  After the battle Governor Galvez invited the Tunica and allies Ofo and Biloxi to settle on the Avoyelles Prairie area in present day Marksville, Louisiana.