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)