VIDEO: Meet Ronald Lewis, past Council Chief of the Choctaw Hunters and founder/curator of The House of Dance and Feathers

  2-part interview from 2009 with Ronald Lewis,
past Council Chief of the Choctaw Hunters Mardi Gras Indian Gang,President of the Big Nine Social Aid and Pleasure Club,
and Founder and Curator of The House of Dance and Feathers

Videos by iching64   

 Learn about and get a copy of the book via The Neighborhood Story Project

Cultural Exchange Pavilion at 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to feature arts and practices of Mardi Gras Indians

Semolian Warriors perform on the Jazz and Heritage Stageat the 2011 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival  Video by kpsoundadvice from the crowd  

From "Eagles, Tom Petty to perform at 2012 Jazz Fest"
by Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press

The Mardi Gras Indians will be given an entire pavilion to showcase their photos, costumes, and music, [Quint] Davis said.

Davis said the HBO television series "Treme" brought national attention to the Mardi Gras Indians, so next year the festival plans to include a lecture series, costume demonstrations and a photo display showing the history of the Mardi Gras Indian culture in New Orleans.

"'Treme' was probably the first national look at the Mardi Gras Indians," Davis said. "Millions of people saw that for the first time, and it generated interest. It made more people aware."

The lineup will include performances by the Mardi Gras Indians as well as the city's popular brass bands.

The Cultural Exchange Pavilion is a wonderful addition to the Mardi Gras Indian performances on the Jazz and Heritage Stage and the daily infield parades.

Visit the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival site for updates about the Cultural Exchange Pavilion programs and to plan your personalized Fest schedule.

We look forward to seeing you out there April 27-May 6, 2012!

Yellow Pocahontas Flagboy Charles "Bubblegum" Robertson has become an ancestor

Charles "Bubblegum" Robertson, Flagboy of the Yellow Pocahontas, has become an ancestor.

Indian practices in his honor will take place at 5 pm on Friday, December 9 and at 7 pm on Sunday, December 11 at The Cultural Cafe at 1300 St. Bernard Avenue in New Orleans.

Participants are requested to bring their tambourines.


Obituary and funeral coverage from Offbeat Magazine:
Memorial for Flagboy Charles Anthony “Bubblegum” Robertson of the Yellow Pocahontas (Photos by Kim Welsh)

The Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian tribe paid respect to its late Flagboy, Charles Anthony “Bubblegum” Robertson, on Saturday, December 17 at a funeral service at Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion Funeral Home in Treme.

Born on September 19, 1955 in New Orleans, Robertson graduated from McDonogh #35 High School and worked for the Sewerage & Water Board for over 20 years. Since Hurricane Katrina, he had lived in San Antonio, Texas, where he passed away on Tuesday, December 6 in his home.

Big Chief Darryl Montana, the son and successor of the great Tootie Montana, and other members of the Yellow Pocahontas, as well as Big Chief Victor Harris, Spirit of FiYiYi and other Mardi Gras Indians were present at the funeral service. After the hearse left the funeral home, a procession led by the Indians marched to the Treme Center.

VIDEO: Mandingo Warriors Big Chief Victor Harris is crowdsourcing his 2012 suit via Kickstarter

Video by AXEL KAPPES

From the "Beads for the Chief" project Kickstarter page:

Every year, New Orleans' Mardi Gras Indians make and wear a "new suit." These are elaborately decorated, fantastically feathered costumes generally somewhat reminiscent of the attire of Native Americans, as seen on the HBO series "Treme." Big Chief Victor Harris and his Tribe, the Mandingo Warriors, are distinctive: they mask in an African style.

Many thousands of hours and dollars are required to create these works of art. When completed, they may be valued at $50,000 or even more. Many people donate their time and energy to help with the sewing, but funds are needed to purchase beads, feathers, and other supplies. It's hard to find the money in today's economy.

The Chief and his Tribe also work hard to keep the young people of the city off the mean streets, providing school supplies, sewing classes and mentoring. The video tells the story: sewing, masking, performing, and teaching the culture to young people.This is an endangered tradition. Many Indians, among thousands of others, have been unable to return to New Orleans since the flood following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Victor Harris didn't miss even one Mardi Gras. He has masked every year for 47 years. Let’s help him make it 48!

The Chief's New Suit is dedicated this year to the memory of Mandingo Warrior Collins "Coach" Lewis, who was the Chief's spiritual brother and friend, a cultural warrior, artist, teacher, drummer, and soulful singer. He had sewn with the Chief for all 47 years before passing unexpectedly this fall. We miss you, Coach!

Carrollton Hunters Big Chief Lionel J. Smith, Senior has become an ancestor

Lionel J. Smith, Senior was the Big Chief of the Carrollton Hunters.

The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame extends all respect and sympathy to his family, friends, and gang.

His obituary in the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

SMITH Lionel J. Smith, Sr. "Big Chief Lionel" passed away peacefully on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 6:30 pm. Beloved husband of Sherlene Parker Smith. Son of the late Reuben and Annie Mae Smith. He was raised by his grandmother, the late Clara B. Smith. Loving father of Lionel Jr., James and Kenneth Smith, Lee, Greg, Mark and Donald Parker and Troy Lindsey. Brother of Davis Jr., Alvin, Chris, Curtis and Arsell Barquet, Yvonne Robinson, Janet Ann Barquet and Linda Robinson, the late Michael and Bruce Smith, Vincent and Dennis Robinson, Alfred and Terrin Barquet. Loving grandfather of nine and great grandfather of four. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends also survive him. Relatives, friends of the family, also members of The City of Love, the Carrollton Hunters Indian tribe and all Indian tribes in the New Orleans area are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Monday, November 21, 2011 for 10:00 am at The City of Love Church, 818 Sixth St., NOLA. Bishop Lester Love, officiating. Interment is in St. Mary's Cemetery--Spruce St., NOLA. Visitation begins at 9:00 am. CHARBONNET-LABAT-GLAPION 581-4411 

Read, Read, Read: Sixth Annual Big Chief and Big Queen Book Presentation Ceremony

For a second year, actor Clarke Peters, "Guardians of the Flame Big Chief Albert Lambreaux" on the HBO television series Tremé, will join the membership of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame at McDonogh 42 Elementary Charter School for our Annual Big Chief and Big Queen Holiday Book Presentation Ceremony in cooperation with the Big Chief Donald Harrison, Senior Book Program of the Guardians Institute.

This year, our program features John Henry, 

the 1990 Caldecott Honor Book by Julius Lester, 

illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.

When: Thursday, December 1, 2011

Time: 9:30 - 11:00 am

Where: Auditorium, McDonogh 42 Charter Elementary School

All Mardi Gras Indians, supporters, and friends from the public are welcome to join us in this ceremony sharing the joy and importance of reading with McDonogh 42 students.

We request that everyone participating conduct him or herself in accordance with and with respect for school rules and student safety.

The Guardians Institute is a non-profit organization founded by Herreast J. Harrison and the late Big Chief Donald Harrison, Senior through the spirit of the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indian gang. It has worked for over 20 years to preserve, celebrate, and advance the indigenous cultural arts of New Orleans. Its outreach programs utilize comprehensive arts and literacy activities in service to New Orleans children in grades K-12. Since 2006, the Big Chief Donald Harrison, Senior Book Program of the Guardians Institute has distributed over twenty-eight thousand books valued at over a quarter-million dollars to children in the Greater New Orleans area. Contributions to the Book Program and other projects of the Guardians Institute are tax-deductible. 

The 2011 program is made possible with support from Basin Street Station, New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation, NOLArize, NDM, Kerry Clayton, and Paige Royer.

For more information, please contact Cherice Harrison-Nelson (504) 214-6630



SNAPSHOTS FROM PAST PROGRAMS


"Read, Read, Read!" Creole Osceolas Big Chief Clarence "Delco" Dalcour takes the lead supported by Chiefs, Queens, and Indians of the Nation at McDonogh 42 Charter School in New Orleans (December 2009)


 Listen to Clarke Peters reading to students at McDonogh 42 New Orleans (Dec 2010)

2011 Backstreet Cultural Museum annual All Saints Day Tribute Parade to honor Collins "Coach" Lewis and all culture bearers who became ancestors this year

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
The Louisiana Weekly

Remembering Loved Ones

Often, the simplest gestures, the little touches best express the love, joy and respect that people have for each other. In New Orleans, like no other place in the United States, we adhere to the tradition of remembering those who’ve passed on November 1, All Saints Day. People here tend to the graves of their loved ones by bringing flowers, perhaps a broom and a shovel and maybe even a picnic basket to the area’s cemeteries. They make sure that their families’ and friends’ final resting places remain in good repair.

Twelve years ago, a new tradition was born. The Backstreet Cultural Museum presented its first annual All Saints Day Tribute Parade, a small though caring affair that honors musicians, Mardi Gras Indians and all those involved with the culture who died throughout the year. Often, one close to the heart person is paid special tribute with photographs and memorabilia associated with their life placed on top of a simple, wooden, horse drawn wagon that is the centerpiece of the parade.

This year, Collins “Coach” Lewis, who sewed for the Fi-Yi-Yi Mardi Gras Indian gang and was active in numerous aspects of the Black street traditions and died on August 5, 2011, will hold that position of honor.

As is tradition, the parade, led by the Treme Brass Band, will leave from the D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 1716 N. Claiborne Avenue at 3 p.m. 

Read more about the All Saints Day Tribute Parade (including the full route) on The Louisiana Weekly website

FILM CLIP: "The Black Indians of New Orleans" (1976)

Enjoy a 10-minute excerpt from "The Black Indians of New Orleans," a half-hour documentary by cultural historian Maurice Martinez from 1976 that stands as the first in-depth film about the Mardi Gras Indians.

The Queens Council invites all children of the Nation to the Mardi Gras Indian Halloween Party!

Mardi Gras Indian Nation Halloween Party
and Costume Contest

Theme: Come as your favorite pop star!

When: Saturday, October 29th
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: 4625 St. Ferdinand Drive
Hosted by: Mardi Gras Indian Nation Queens Council

All children of the Mardi Gras Indian Nation are invited. Each child is invited to bring one guest.

RSVP by Monday, October 25th to Queen Gaynell at 504-782-7929

Please help spread the word among our families.

2011 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Roll Call

Video by nolamml of 2011 rollcall at the 2011 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame ceremony 

The ceremony took place on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Ashe Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans. 

Launch of Operation Saving Our Sons

Mayor Landrieu invites all leaders and members of the Mardi Gras Indian Nation to participate in the September 17 crime summit launching the "Saving Our Sons" (S. O. S.) Program in the City of New Orleans.

The summit is free and open to the public.

It will take place 10am-Noon on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena, with resource sharing and networking starting at 9 am.

Link to details and information


Please help spread the word.

By US Congressional Proclamation, Sunday is Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Day

Wild Magnolias Big Queen Laurita Barras Dollis and Guardians of the Flame Big Queen Cherice Harrison Nelson display the Congressional Proclamation of Sunday, August 7, 2011 as Mardi Gras Indian Day in the United States of America. The proclamation was realized thanks to Senator Mary Landrieu, Barbara Lacen-Keller, and Anastasia Shaw.

Collin "Coach" Lewis has become an ancestor

Drummer Collin “Coach” Lewis became an ancestor on the evening of Friday, August 5. He supported Big Chief Victor “Fi-yi-yi” Harris of the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi and Mandingo Warriors. A Mardi Gras Indian drum tribute in Lewis's honor will be held at the Backstreet Museum at 5 pm, Saturday, August 6, 2011. The Backsteet Museum is located at 1116 Saint Claude Avenue in New Orleans.

The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame will acknowledge and pay tribute to Mr. Lewis during the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Crystal Feather Awards at Ashe Cultural Arts Center from 4-5:30 pm on Sunday, August 7, 2011. Ashe Cultural Arts Center is located at 1712 Oretha C Haley Boulevard in New Orleans.

If you have any questions, call Wesley at 504-250-5244.

Spotlight on "Bury the Hatchet," a film by Aaron Walker

Bury the Hatchet trailer from cine-marais on Vimeo.


Aaron Walker's widely-acclaimed documentary Bury the Hatchet features the work and commentary of Golden Eagles Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Flaming Arrows Big Chief Alfred Doucette, and Fi Yi Yi Big Chief Victor Harris.

Bury the Hatchet played in New Orleans this year at the Chalmette Theater through both weekends of Jazzfest. Your next opportunity to see it in New Orleans is in October at the New Orleans Film Festival.

Thanks to Aaron and his team for their contributions to documentation and understanding of Mardi Gras Indian culture.

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND SCREENING and DISCUSSION of MARDI GRAS INDIAN FILM (6-8 pm Friday August 5 at McDonogh 42)

Queen B: A portrait of Littdell Banister, Tribal Queen of the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indian Gang (2010) from Sophielab as screened at the 2010 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Ceremony on Vimeo.

The Thirteenth Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Weekend presents

PREMIERE OF 2010-2011 QUEENS RULE! PROJECT PORTRAITS and DISCUSSION OF MARDI GRAS INDIANS ON SCREEN

featuring the premieres of Queens Rule! project profiles of Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame honorees Mercy Stevenson, Patrina Peters, and Laurita B. Dollis.

Elder Queen Mercy Stevenson is former Queen of the Wild Tchoupitoulas and the White Cloud Hunters. Laurita Barras Dollis is Big Queen of the Wild Magnolias. Partina Peters is Wild Queen of the Red Hawk Hunters. 

Please join us at the 2011 Mardi Gras Indian Film Fest on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm hosted by McDonogh 42 Charter Elementary School, 1651 N. Tonti, New Orleans, LA. An event of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Weekend, the screening and discussion is free and open to the public.

The Queens Rule! documentary project of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame is supported in part by funding from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Kerry Clayton and Paige Royer, with production supervised by Betsy Weiss via the "Feminist Documentation and New Media" class in the Tulane Department of Communication and Center for Public Service, and by Crystal Kile via Sophielab at Newcomb College Institute (2006-2010) and now for the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame. 

There will be a Q & A following with Guardians of the Flame Big Chief Brian Nelson, Director of the award-winning 2011 short Keeper of the Flame, and Greg Anderson, screenwriter of award-winning Stomp the Yard, joining Betsy Weiss and Crystal Kile.

For more information please phone 504-214-6630 or 504-231-5780.

Big Chief Alfred Doucette teaching in the Positive Vibrations Foundation Salon Series

Big Chief Alfred Doucette Salon // "Strange Fruit" Indian Suit and Katrina Story from Positive Vibrations Foundation on Vimeo.


Big Chief Alfred Doucette Salon // Cost of Indian Suits from Positive Vibrations Foundation on Vimeo.


Big Chief Alfred Doucette // History of Violence Among Indians from Positive Vibrations Foundation on Vimeo.


For the past two summers, Flaming Arrows Big Chief Alfred Doucette has served as part of the faculty of the Positive Vibrations Foundation fellowship program that brings young musicians from across the world to spend the summer studying music and culture in New Orleans.

In collaboration with the Canary Collective, the Positive Vibrations Foundation records and shares video of its "Salon Series" conversations and musical encounters with New Orleans musicians and culture bearers, including Guardians of the Flame percussionist Luther Gray, and Congo Nation Big Chief Donald Harrison, Jr.

Year in Review: Wild Magnolias Big Chief Bo Dollis, Senior named 2011 National Heritage Fellow

Wild Magnolias Big Chief Bo Dollis, Senior on Mardi Gras Day 2009 (Photo by Derek Bridges)

In July, the National Endowment of the Arts recognized the life work of Wild Magnolias Big Chief Bo Dollis, Senior by naming him as a National Heritage Fellow for 2011.

In 2009, Offbeat Magazine honored the Big Chief with its Best of the Beat Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music. Learn more about Wild Magnolias Big Chief Bo Dollis, Senior and the influence of his art and leadership via this series of video interviews produced on that occasion by the Loyola University Center for Music and Arts Entrepreneurship.



Press play to watch 2009 Offbeat Magazine "Best of the Beat Lifetime Achievement Award video

Black Feather Big Chief Lionel Delpit has become an ancestor

The Mardi Gras Indian Nation celebrated the life of Black Feather Big Chief Lionel Delpit in New Orleans,  Saturday, July 16, 2011. Photo by Michael Luke for WWL-TV.

After a long and courageous battle with several health issues, Black Feather Big Chief Lionel Delpit became an ancestor on July 7, 2011.

Big Chief Delpit started masking as a member of the Yellow Pocahontas group before establishing the Black Feather in 1992. He was known for his elaborate three-dimensional suits, spirited dancing, and soulful singing. He performed as part of numerous events throughout his lifetime, as local as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and as far away as a festival in Martinique. Recently, he was one of the Big Chiefs honored as part of the City of New Orleans Katrina V commemoration. He appeared in Season One of the HBO series Tremé in the scene in which real Big Chiefs join "Big Chief Albert Lambreaux" in singing "Indian Red" at the home of his Wild Man who perished in Katrina.

Memorial Indian practices/community processions will be held daily on the corner of Frenchmen and North Robertson Streets until the funeral.

Trouble Nation Big Chief Markeith Tero is serving as the funeral liaison for the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame.
 
All condolences to Big Chief Delpit's family, gang members, and friends.

Funeral for Big Chief Lionel Delpit


Friday, July 15, 2011
6-8 pm Visitation

Professional Funeral Services
1620 Elysian Fields Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70117


Saturday, July 16, 2011
9:00 am Visitation
10:00 am Service
Followed by a traditional Mardi Gras Indian funeral ritual and procession

Abiding Faith Temple
2501 Urquhart St.
New Orleans, LA 70117

Big Chief Delpit's feature obituary in the New Orleans Times-Picayune

 Photo essay on Big Chief Delpit's Funeral Processsion
(Photos by Michael Luke for WWL-TV)

 New Orleans Times-Picayune coverage of Big Chief Delpit's funeral

Louisiana Weekly: "Lionel Delpit, icon of the Mardi Gras Indian
community, dies at age 54"

Offbeat: Big Chief Lionel Delpit Funeral Procession Photos
(Photos by Kim Welsh for Offbeat) 

Roll Call of 2011 Honorees and Invitation to the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Memorial, Induction, and Awards Ceremony

The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame invites you to the 2011 Memorial, Induction, and Awards Ceremony.

Please plan to join us 4:00 - 5:30 pm Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame program highlights the role of Big Chiefs, all Mardi Gras Indians, and those who assist in supporting the tradition.

Former Haley Elementary School principal Dr. Roslyn J. Smith put it beautifully when she said, "The Big Chiefs are community leaders, and in many ways they are social warriors, struggling to preserve traditions of beauty in the community while working to make the communities better places."

We hope that you are able to join us for this very special Sunday afternoon in New Orleans.

2011 Crystal Feather Award Honorees

Chiefs' Choice

Big Chief Romeo Bougere

Ninth Ward Hunters

Queens' Choice

Queen Mercy Stevenson

Wild Tchopitoulas

Special Recognition Awards

Jan "Mojo Mouth" Ramsey

Scribe Award

Barbara Lacen-Keller

Community Supporter Award

Big Chief Clarence Dalcour

Creole Osceolas

2011 Peace Chief

(Recognized for ceremonial release of doves to promote peace in our city)

Big Chief Brian Nelson
Keeper of the Flame Movie
Capturing the Spirit Award

State Senator Cynthia Willard-Lewis

Honorary Ambassador Queen

Jo Cool Davis

Living Musical Heritage Award

Jeffrey David Ehrenreich

Capturing the Flash

Photographers' Award

Andrew Wiseman

Drumbeat Award

Anastasia Shaw

Outstanding Volunteer

Benjamin Mark

Outstanding Youth Volunteer

Jordan Hirsch

Service Award

For more information please call 504.214.6630 0r 504.231.5780.

Save the date for the 2011 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Ceremonies

Save the Date!

2011 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame
Memorial, Induction and Awards Ceremony

Sunday, August 7, 2011
Ashe Cultural Arts Center
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

For additional information please call, 504-214-6630