This life-sized sculpture depicts Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana in full costume as a Mardi Gras Chief. Huge feathered costume covering not only his head but his entire body. He holds a tambourine with his right hand. The sign accompanying reads:
"Allison "Big Chief Tootie" Montana
December 16, 1922 - June 27, 2005
Yellow Pocohontas Mardi Gras Chief / 'Chief of Chiefs'
A New Orleans Cultural Icon and Internationally Recognized
Master Craftsman in the Building Trade, Big Chief Montana
Masked as a Mardi Gras Indian for over 50 Years. He died in
City Council Chambers Defending the Mardi Gras Indian
Tradition.
Sculptor: Sheleen Jones-Adenle
Dedicated April, 2010
This Sculpture Was Generously Funded By
The Edward Wisner Donation"
Wikipedia (
visit link) adds:
"Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana (December 16, 1922 – June 27, 2005), a lather by trade, was a New Orleans cultural icon who acted as the Mardi Gras Indian "chief of chiefs" for over 50 years. Tootie is revered in the Mardi Gras Indian culture as the Big Chief who is responsible for changing the violent way of the Indians' culture. While Tootie was Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe, he made the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians about pageantry rather than violence.
Origins and Traditions of Mardi Gras Indians
The history of the Mardi Gras Indians can be traced back to the time of slavery in New Orleans. When slaves would escape from the city, many would find shelter with the Indigenous people of America. The traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians then stemmed from what was observed while under the care of the indigenous people. The art of masking at Carnival in the Indian suits is a way to pay respect to the people who looked after escaped slaves.
Originally, the Mardi Gras Indians were a violent group of people. Tribes from different sections of town would engage in fights called humbugs in parts of New Orleans called the battlefield. Carnival was the day that any Indian revenge was executed. An angry Indian would dress as a woman and blend themselves into the crown of Carnival. When the cross dressing, Indian would approach the person they are seeking revenge upon and attack the man in the middle of Carnival. The attack would then escape to change clothes in a local bar. In an interview, Tootie said that all day during Carnival, there could be discarded dresses found in bars across New Orleans.
Tootie was outraged by the violence that the Mardi Gras Indians would present to the public and towards each other. Many nights after Carnival Tootie would come home in a battered suit, covered in blood and bruises from the night’s events.[5] Tootie is the man who spoke out against Indian gang violence and turned to music and dance was a way to express competitive showmanship. Tootie’s widow Joyce Montana says that Tootie was the first to say “Stop fighting with your guns, and begin fighting with your suits"."