January 6 is Allison "Big Chief Tootie" Montana Day in the City of New Orleans

Photo copyright John McCusker

 At 10:00 am Thursday, January 5, 2012 a resolution
was read in City Council Chambers reaffirming the 2009
proclamation declaring that each January 6 is to be 

Allison "Big Chief Tootie" Montana Day
in the City of New Orleans.

WATCH VIDEO

The Montana family will lay a wreath

at the Chief's statue in Armstrong Park
at 4:00 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012.

WATCH VIDEO 

From 5:00-7:00 pm, The Golden Feather
on Rampart Street

will screen documentaries about
Mardi Gras Indian culture and tradition.

All Indians, supporters, and friends are invited to join the
family and the Yellow Pocahontas at all events.

On June 27, 2005, Allison “Big Chief Tootie” Montana, a cultural warrior and leader, tragically passed away while he was addressing the New Orleans City Council on the unwarranted, violent, and illegal assault on Mardi Gras Indians, neighborhood residents, senior citizens, and children. Big Chief Tootie was in the middle of recounting half of a century of history of police harassment and abuse when stricken. His last words were “I want this to stop.”

Television news cameras captured his fall as the chiefs and others who loved and respected him took up the hymn “Indian Red.”

After his passing, the public hearing was originally scheduled to reconvene in September of 2005 but, because of Hurricane Katrina, the levee breach, and the aftermath, a hearing was never rescheduled. Today, establishing the first day of Carnival/Mardi Gras as the Allison “Big Chief Tootie” Montana Day will serve as impetus for conversations among members of the New Orleans City Council, City Administration, the New Orleans Police Department, and all Cultural Bearers, namely, the Mardi Gras Indians, to address the lack of understanding and appreciation for indigenous traditions unique to our city. Most importantly, these conversations, along with policies and procedures regarding culture and traditional practices will end the harassment, disrespect, and cruelty exhibited by some police officers.

Seven years after his passing, those same cruelties Big Chief Tootie spoke of continue today. It must stop!

Allison “Big Chief Tootie” Montana died a warrior’s death in council chambers fighting for the respect of a cultural tradition that defines the City of New Orleans. Today the Indian community hopes the city will provide real and lasting protection and respect for the indigenous traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians and all Cultural Bearers as well as develop a profound understanding of those they aim to serve and see the world as the cultural community sees it. The Mardi Gras Indian community, supporters, friends and family of Allison "Big Chief Tootie” Montana appreciates the leadership and commitment of the New Orleans City Council. Collectively, we look forward to the city taking more permanent action to ensure that the sacred tradition is forever respected and protected. Moreover, the yearly acknowledgement and celebration of the legacy of Allison “Big Chief Tootie” Montana will spark the interest of the young, perpetuate the “Masking Indian” tradition, and ensure full protection and respect for New Orleans indigenous cultural traditions.

Sabrina Mays-Montana, Founder and President
Faces of Culture/Allison Montana Institute of Art, Culture, and Tradition
and Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian Tribe

 

HE'S THE PRETTIEST
A Tribute To Big Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana's 50 Years Of Mardi Gras Indian Suiting

 

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS CITATION (1987)

 CHIEF OF CHIEFS
WHY MESS WITH ME? (Interview)
MY KNEE WILL BEND NO MORE
Gambit Weekly, July 11, 2005

  A COLORFUL FAREWELL FOR THE CHIEF OF CHIEFS
New York Times, July 11, 2005

HONORING TOOTIE MONTANA
Gambit Weekly, July 26, 2005

Official Site for
TOOTIE'S LAST SUIT
the 2006 film by Lisa Katzman

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)