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.