Chief Shalyian Bennett Tyler

Duly elected on December 7th, 2025

Email: apalacheeproud@yahoo.com

I am the oldest daughter of the late Chief Gilmer T. Bennett Sr. It’s always been my desire, not just as chief, to see our people move forward in educating themselves and others of our heritage. Our bond as a tribe and family grows as we learn of our ancestors and their struggles, but more than anything, learning of the rich history of how we’ve survived through the ages strengthens our purpose. My dad and others were raised to fear telling anyone that they were Indian and in so doing were not told who they were and where their ancestors were from. After my grandmother, who was the last child of Chief Gilmer (boy) Vallery, passed away in the 1990s, our history came alive. My dad was appointed chief by the elders and was successful in being a part of putting the Apalachees back in the spotlight as we were thought to have been annihilated. That wasn’t the case however, we had survived.

Now is the time to continue to revive and preserve our history as we look for a place to call home in the hills of Louisiana where our ancestors lived after arriving to this beautiful state and grow even stronger as a tribe.