Month: August 2017

Timeline:
1998 – present- Cyrill Green Big Chief Iron Horse (deceased)
1998 – Present – Kenneth Young Big Chief klik – 2nd Chief

To date Chief Klik is the first chief that we have interviewed that can trace his bloodline back to Aboriginal America, not only that, but his family still owns their land where he is the modern-day Chief of his village. That land is in Bayou Lacombe and surrounding areas in Louisiana and that aboriginal tribe has many names. To say the least I was past intrigued and could hardly contain my composure. They were a million and one questions going through my mind! Unfortunately, this is an article and not a novel, so what I reveal will only touch the surface. I urge all that read this article to do more research about America, before Columbus. More than a majority of New Orleans’ Blacks are of Aboriginal or Indian Heritage. Yes, your history books were false, now they use the term outdated. The late Big Chief Cyril Green named the tribe the Black Seminoles to pay respect to the Indigenous Tribes of the area. Also taking his name Iron Horse from the Black Seminole freedman Chief John Horse. Continue reading →

Timeline:
Present – 2013 – Big Chief Demond Young Seminole Hunters
2013 – 1994 – Spy Boy – Seminoles

As a young chief, Big Chief Demond is a strong, well read, humble, student of Black Masking Culture and confident contemporary artist that embodies the spirit of “Bras Coupe.” Sitting down with Chief Demond, it is obvious the strength in his leadership comes from his knowledge of this culture and years working up the hierarchy. As he says, no one beat him as a Spy Boy.

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TIMELINE:

Big Chief Tyrone “Pie” Stevenson – Monogram Hunters
Timeline: monogram hunters
Chief Pie -Present – 1992
Chief Becate Batiste – 1850’s – 1930’s

Chief Tyrone Pie Stevenson is well-known, well respected and holds the banner for one of the original tribes in New Orleans the Monogram Hunters. This storied tribe was headed by the father of Tootie Montana from the famed Yellow Pocahontas. The tribe disbanded after Big Chief Becate Batiste passed, but the Congressional Library has Big Chief Becate Batiste masking early as 1855 in Treme’. In 1992 Chief Pie with the blessing of his than Big Chief Tootie Montana and his second Chief brother Edward Montana to bring back their father’s tribe namesake. Chief Pie and his 30 plus tribe members holds the honor and history close to their hearts and Deep in their Soul!

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Timeline:
Present – 2002 Washitaw Nation (MGI)
2002 – 1956 Yellow Pocahontas
David Peters Montana comes from the storied Montana Black Masking Bloodline of New Orleans. The first tribe of the 7th Ward ran by the Montana Brothers Tootie and Edward, the Second Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe. Together they entrenched the culture of Black Masking downtown and set the tone for being pretty across the City. Sitting down with Chief is a roller coaster that goes up to the history of his family in the congressional library down to his earliest memories in the Lafitte Project as a child watching Indians threw the venetian blinds down the court yards to Orleans and Claiborne. As he watched Famed of old days Performer “Google Eyes” recite his opening act for the Municipal Auditorium. Then, through a loop, beating the drum of the tambourine giving you the soundtrack and illustration of his life story and culture.
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Timeline:
Present – 1984 Mandingo Warriors
1965 – 1984 Yellow Pocahontas (Flag boy)
Chief Fi Yi Yi has been a part of the Black Masking Culture (BMC) for over 50 years in New Orleans. Well respected amongst his peers and the community for his warrior spirit. For twenty years he was a Flag Boy for a legend. It is often said but rarely valued “in order to lead you must learn to follow”. Chief Fi Yi Yi’s devolution and dedication as flag boy has made him a Mighty Chief that has created his own banner under the Mardi Gras Indians (BMC). The Mandingo Warriors Tribe is an African Banner, the fourth. This humble warrior’s community investment has been as mighty as his great spirit.

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