MARKSVILLE, LA – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, in partnership with the Marksville and Avoyelles Parish communities, will host the second annual Healing Tribal Strong 5k Walk/Run on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 8:00am at the Chief Joseph Alcide Pierite Pow Wow Grounds, located at 150 Melacon Rd. in Marksville. Registration and vendor setup will begin at 7 a.m., followed by the race starting at 8 a.m.
This event will bring together survivors, caregivers, families and supporters for a day of unity, remembrance and encouragement. The Healing Tribal Strong 5K is a movement dedicated to honoring those touched by cancer and building a culture of healing that embraces fitness, nutrition and spiritual and emotional well-being. Last year, the tribe donated $5,000 to the American Indian Cancer Foundation. This year, proceeds will benefit the Mary Bird Perkins Foundation as an opportunity to reinvest not only in the tribal community, but also in the surrounding community.
“Hosting the Healing Tribal Strong 5K for a second year is a privilege and a responsibility we hold close to our hearts,” said Chairman Marshall Pierite. “This event allows us to come together as a community to lift up those impacted by cancer, to honor the ones we have lost and to continue our shared commitment to health, resilience and healing.”
The Healing Tribal Strong initiative is rooted in creating safe spaces for connection and support. Weekly gatherings bring together tribal citizens and their families to share experiences, offer encouragement and strengthen bonds in the face of life’s challenges. The 5K extends that mission, offering an opportunity for the wider community to walk or run side by side in solidarity.
“Events like the Healing Tribal Strong 5K bring people together in powerful ways,” said a representative from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Avoyelles Hospital. “By joining forces with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and the local community, we are helping to provide critical support for patients, survivors and families while fostering a spirit of hope and healing.”
Registration is now open for participants of all ages and abilities, and donations are welcome to further the impact of the event. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations that wish to support the cause. For more information about the event and to register, visit Healing Tribal Strong 5k Rez Run Website.
