Rising Together
The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council defines and documents the cultures of the Mardi Gras Indians and New Orleans – creating a lasting legacy that lives for generations to come. We create opportunity for our youth and community to keep the proud tradition of masking Indians marching on.
Campus
In 2019, the NOMGIC officially opened a Mardi Gras Indian campus in the New Orleans’ LaSalle corridor – the historic neighborhood that hosts the Super Sunday Festival each year. The creation of this campus builds on the history of the African American community that defined the city’s Civil Rights history and was the birthplace for many traditions associated with Brass Bands and Mardi Gras Indians.
The NOMGIC campus is more than a physical space, it is opportunity. The chance to create economic growth within our community. The campus is home to professional development opportunities for Mardi Gras Indian members, the local community members, and neighborhood children.
Role of the Council
The Mardi Gras Indian campus is an anchor institution for continued civic activities and home for the NOMGIC and tribes across New Orleans. The campus is a place where Mardi Gras Indians from across the region can hone their crafts and a repository of the Mardi Gras Indian traditions.
Current activities of the NOMGIC includes Mardi Gras Indian Chief lectures at local schools and universities as well hosting youth sewing classes at the AL Davis community center and other local venues. The NOMGIC campus aims to continue to support and promote the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians and serve as a physical space for exhibitions, performances, archiving the Mardi Gras Indian oral history.
Bertrand Butler, executive director formed the Mardi Gras Indian Council in the 1980s at the request of legendary Chief of Chiefs Robbe (Robert Lee) and a group of other elders. These elders asked Bertrand to “go out and see if he can organize a council.” The mission was to bring highly independent and fierce rival tribes from all over the city together. Realizing the importance of unity in preserving and perpetuating their tradition.
NOMGIC gives the chiefs of the various tribes an opportunity to get to know each other, share knowledge.
The NOMGIC organizes the Super Sunday Parade from LaSalle Street into historic A.L. Davis Park, which known as sacred ground for Native Americans and Mardi Gras Indians.
Come in and catch the spirit
Call or email to schedule a visit.