Please join us for "Queens Rule X: It's a Family Affair"

Please join us as we celebrate The Year of the Spy Boy at our Second Annual Blue Linen Monday

2013 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Honorees

2013 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Honorees


Crystal Feather

Big Chief Alfred Womble, Jr.

Cheyenne Hunters


Queens' Choice

Big Queen Patrice Gordon

Golden Blade


Peace Queen Award

Big Wild Queen Patrina Peters

Red Hawk Hunters



Community Supporter Award

Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation



Cultural Preservationist Award

Freddi Williams Evans



Capturing the Spirit

Bishop Ezelda Booker Coleman



Outstanding Volunteer

Wild Man Quintrell Johnson



Music Heritage Award

Big Chief Donald Claude, Sr.



Capturing the Flash Photographers' Award

George LeBeaud AKA Sekou Fela



Scribe Award

Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes 

Daniel Wolff



It's a Family Affair Award

Harris (Fi-Yi-Yi ~ Victor ~ Mandingo Warriors), Montana (Allison and Edward – Yellow Pocahontas), and Watson (Kentrell and Zenda ~ Wild Mohicans) Families 



Congratulations to our honorees!


Please plan to join us for the 15th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Memorial, Awards and Induction Ceremony
 
Sunday, August 11, 2013
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Ashe Cultural Arts Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

There is no charge for admission and the public is welcome. For additional information, please call 504-214-6630.


The 15th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame celebration runs through a variety of events happening August 1-11, 2013. Access the full schedule here.

The social media tag for the week's events is #mgihof2013

Young Guardians of the Flame Spy Boy Dondrell Cage, Jr Has Become an Ancestor

Dondrell Cage, Junior (1996-2013)

Photo copyright Jeffrey Ehrenreich

Young Guardians of the Flame Spy Boy Dondrell Cage, Jr. became an ancestor on July 3, 2013. He was sixteen years old.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Thursday, July 11th

8:30 am Visitation
10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial
Traditional Mardi Gras Indian Funeral

St. Paul Catholic Church
6828 Chef Menteur Highway
New Orleans, LA 70126

Dondrell Cage, Jr.

Photo copyright Jeffrey Ehrenreich

Dondrell was a good child who took a misstep, got lost, and it cost him his young life. Please lift his family and the Bruer family up in prayers during this difficult time.

He was our Spy Boy!

Rest in peace, Drell.

Cherice Harrison-Nelson
Maroon Queen, Guardians of the Flame

15th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Week Schedule of Events

15th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Week

Please join us as we gather in recognition and celebration of the artistry and leadership of the individuals and groups who make and hold the culture. All events listed below are free and open to the public.

The social media tag for the week of events is #mgihof2013

Sunday, August 4
Curator’s Kickoff in Historic Congo Square
3:00 – 4:00 pm

Monday, August 5
Blue Linen Monday @ New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation Gallery
Co-Hosted by the African-American Museum and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation Gallery
1205 N. Rampart St.
6 - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Spy Boy Year Book Signing
Community Book Center
2523 Bayou Road
6:00 – 7:30 pm

Thursday, August 8
2013 Honorees’ City Council Recognition
City Council Chambers
1300 Perdido St.
9:00 am – 10:00 am

Thursday, August 8, 2013
Queens Rule! Panel Discussion and Reception
Joan Mitchell Center ~ Indigo Building
 2285 Bayou Road
6:00 – 7:30 pm

Sunday, August11
15th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Memorial, Awards, and Induction Ceremony
Ashé Cultural Arts Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
3:00 – 4:30 pm

Questions? Please contact Cherice Harrison-Nelson at (504) 214-6630.

Black Seminoles Big Chief Cyril "Iron Horse" Green has become an ancestor

Big Chief Cyril "Iron Horse" Green, 2004. Photo by Eric Waters.

Big Chief Cyril “Iron Horse” Green of the Black Seminoles died unexpectedly of natural causes on March 20, 2013 hours after celebrating St. Joseph Night by visiting and singing with his friends and fellow Big Chiefs.

Cyril was born to Joanne (Williams) Goodman and the late Dominick (Jesse) A. Goodman August 26, 1966, the sixth child and fifth son of nine children. 

Cyril was educated in the New Orleans Public School System at Valena C. Jones Elementary, Andrew J. Bell Junior High, and Nicholls Senior High Schools. He went on to earn a Associate Degree in Computer Science from Delgado Community College.

An active member of his community, Cyril dedicated his time with various organizations including the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians as ‘Big Chief Iron Horse’ of the Black Seminoles Indian Tribe. His journey began as Second Chief of the Flaming Arrows in 1992. The following year, he joined the Young Cheyenne Indian Tribe as their Second Chief. Cyril later formed his own tribe, the Black Seminoles. As part of his service within the community Cyril performed several years at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and visited area schools were he shared his knowledge and cultural teachings with our youth. He was the first Big Chief to mask in a wheelchair.           
   

Big Chief Cyril "Iron Horse" Green (on right with tamborine) at the 2008 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame
reception at Basin Street Station. Photo by Eric Waters

Cyril was inducted into the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame in 1999. He is the 2006 recipient of the Crystal Feather, our highest honor. He served the Nation as Vice President of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Circle of Chiefs.

He is preceded in death by his father Dominick ‘Jesse’ Goodman, and two brothers, Wendell and Toby Goodman. He is survived by his mother, Joanne Goodman, a sister Troylynn (James) Morse, Deangello Goodman, Michael (Tara) Williams, Nathaniel Green, Terrel (Evelyn) Goodman, Ryan (Crystal) Goodman, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Relatives, friends, priest and parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, members of Black Seminole Tribe and all Mardi Gras Indian Tribes are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1835 St. Roch Ave beginning 11 am. Rev. Anthony A. Anala, S.V.D. celebrant. Church visitation 10 am until service time. 

The family of Cyril Green has requested that there be no photography in the church during the services. Please honor this request and be respectful of Mardi Gras Indian grieving and funeral rituals outside of the church. Videographers and photographers are requested to remain mindful and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Please do not interfere in ritual space while seeking "the perfect shot."

You may make a secure and tax-deductible donation Big Chief Cyril Green's burial fund through the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame fiduciary agent, National Performance Network. You must select Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame from the drop down menu and include "burial fund" in note section.


For more information about going home ceremonies honoring the life of Big Chief Cyril Green, contact family member, Michael Goodman at (404) 951-1870 or Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Curator, Cherice Harrison-Nelson at (504) 214-6630.


Links:

RIP Cyril "Big Chief Iron Horse" Green of Black Seminoles
by Brett Milano, Offbeat Magazine | Monday, March 25, 2013

Big Chief Cyril 'Iron Horse' Green Becomes Ancestor
NOLA Defender | Tuesday, March 26, 2013 

SOUNDCLOUD: In-Studio Tribute to Big Chief Cyril Green during the WWOZ New Orleans Music Show
Hosted by Danielle Smalls | WWOZ New Orleans, Tuesday, March 26, 2013 

Cyril 'Big Chief Ironhorse' Green, leader of the Black Seminoles, dies at 46
by John Pope, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune, Wednesday, March 27, 2013