Notable New Orleanians: A Tricentennial Tribute
An illustrated history of New Orleans paired with the histories of companies that have helped shape the city.
An illustrated history of New Orleans paired with the histories of companies that have helped shape the city.
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Michael P. Smith, Allison "Tootie" Montana, Big Chief, Yellow Pocahontas<br />
Michael P. Smith’s photograph of Allison “Tootie” Montana (q.v.) captures the essential beauty of Montana’s all pink “Indian” costume on Mardi Gras Day, 1991. Montana channeled the<br />
beauty of sewing art into a vehicle of peace for an important segment of the African-American population of <strong>New</strong> Orleans. For decades they had fought among themselves for dominance<br />
among the “Mardi Gras Indian” groups, some of whom claimed descent in some manner from Native Americans of south Louisiana. The descendants increased in numbers and associated in<br />
neighborhood bands with increasing confrontation. Tootie’s contribution was to persuade the bands to make costume representations of their ancestors with the finest winning honors for their<br />
art instead of for physical dominance. His Mardi Gras Indian costume set the standard for the “prettiest,” as the tribes still march on various routes in their finest attire on Mardi Gras Day.<br />
Tootie’s plan is a model for conflict resolution to this day.<br />
COURTESY OF THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 2007.0103.2.122, PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL P. SMITH, 1937-2008. COPYRIGHT HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION.<br />
BIOGRAPHIES<br />
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