
Past Chiefs


Chief “Tunnie” Gilmer Bennett
April 02, 1932 – October 22, 2015
He was a native of Monroe. Chief Bennett served his country proudly in the Korean War as a U.S. Marine. He was a retired carpenter. His commitment to his heritage was his bond. Chief Bennett awakened the existence of the Apalachee tribe, after contacting a veteran archaeologist who considered the mission-era Florida tribe missing for centuries, who was believed to have gone into hiding in the 1800’s. Chief Bennett’s story is recorded in the “Handbook of North American Indians” at the Smithsonian Institute. He was a strong believer of preserving nature. He left a strong legacy of commitment of work and family values and ethics to his family.
Chief Gilmer Bennett, Sr., age 83, of Libuse, entered eternal rest on a Thursday, October 22, 2015 at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana.

Chief Julian Vallery
Born 1900 –

Chief Gilmer “Boy” Vallery
Born 1875 –

Chief Benjamin “Benoit” Vallery
Born 1840 – Death 1875

Chief Antonio Vallery
Born 1814 –

Chief Jacques Vallery
Born 1804 –

Chief Jean Baptiste Vallery
Born 1777 – Death 1853

Chief Solomon D’ Apalachee Vallery
Born 1747 – Death 1776

Chief Dennis Apalachee

Chief Martin Apalachee

Chief Pierrot Apalachee
History shows that a small band of Apalachee Indians made their travel from Florida to Louisiana. The Chiefs that lead our people had hopes of surviving persecution and hostile environments, to finally finding a peaceful place to call home.
