Project Background
The Original Big 7 Cultural and Heritage Division is an incorporated, non-profit organization, which is also an established community-based arts neighbourhood program centre, located in the 7th ward; one of New Orleans most challenging neighbourhoods.
Where there is such a rich cultural history within this great city of New Orleans, current residents struggle to survive with limited monetary and civic resources. Because of the limited resources the community residents find it difficult to earn a living and raise children in a safe, peaceful, productive and flourishing environment.
All of the Cultural and Heritage Division programming is focused on allowing the youth, not only from the 7th ward, but the entire city of New Orleans and surrounding areas, to express themselves and connect to their neighbourhood and what they see as hopeful and promising in their personal futures and the community’s future. We continue the efforts of renewing the members of the community, by coming together to encourage social change.
Project Aim
The project aim is to educate as many of our youth as possible in the art and history of New Orleans Indians. The community is very grateful because our program keeps kids off the street, out of trouble and safe.
Key Project Outcomes
Project funds went to facilitate the activities of the Red Flame Hunters Children’s Mardi Gras Indian Tribe in 2015-2016. With the funding we were able to expand to include more youth up from 8 to 19 kids.
Youth ages 3-17 were able to explore and expand their personal strengths and talents through participating in various workshops including:
- Beading and sewing sessions (for their Mardi Gras Indian costumes)
- Fun, educational field trips
- Hands on experience in interacting with other legendary Indian Tribes in parades around the city on Mardis Gras day and St. Joseph's Night
Challenges
Challenges were not having enough funding to include all kids that wished to participate.
Successes
Our successes are that with the funding we were able to educate all youth that did participate. Another one of our successes is we graduated 4 of our Indians from High School - these kids are some of our elder members they have been with us for 5 years.
What's Next?
The project is expected to continue however we are in a year to year struggle for funding.
Can I Visit This Project?
Yes we have an open door policy to all visitors, supporters and any one that wishes to learn about the art and culture of the New Orleans Indians.
Project Objectives
Our mission is to support at-risk youth through engaging them in New Orleans cultural traditions and events. The Red Flame Hunters is a traditional Mardi Gras Indian tribe in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, and is comprised of vulnerable teens from the neighbourhood.
The goal of this project is to provide young men and women in New Orleans with an opportunity to:
- come together in a safe space as a community
- learn the methods of the Mardi Gras Indian culture including beading, African drumming, drum circles, and dance
- be introduced to a rich culture that has been forged between the Africans and the Native Indians to help keep the legacy alive
During their time with the Red Flame Hunters, the participating youth will be able to remove themselves and helpfully rise above many everyday issues that they face including school workload and competition, teenage peer pressure, difficult home situations, teen pregnancy and youth violence.
Participating with the Red Flame Hunters, especially the beading and drumming activities, helps keep kids off the streets, build up their self esteem, aid in conflict resolution skills, and enable them to become wiser, stronger individuals.
We strive to encourage a creative atmosphere, where the kids are allowed to showcase their artistry and exhibit their elaborate suits on Mardi Gras morning and St. Joseph’s Night. We hope to make the children feel proud about their hard work and artistry.
The 7th Ward is a centuries-old Creole neighbourhood that has suffered systematic neglect and oppression for decades proceeding Hurricane Katrina. Continuing this tradition in our neighbourhood with young people is a way of celebrating resilience and empowerment in the face of oppression and catastrophe.
Photo by Brian Rapsey
What’s covered in the project cost
Project funds are being requested to facilitate the activities of the Red Flame Hunters Children’s Mardi Gras Indian Tribe in 2015-2016.
Youth ages 3-17 will be able to explore and expand their personal strengths and talents through participating in various workshops including:
- beading and sewing sessions (for their Mardi Gras Indian costumes)
- fun, educational field trips
- hands on experience with interacting with other legendary Indian Tribes in parades around the city on Mardi Gras day and St. Joseph’s Night.
Background on this Project
The Original Big 7 Cultural and Heritage Division is an incorporated, non-profit organization, which is also an established community-based arts neighbourhood program centre, located in the 7th ward; one of New Orleans most challenging neighbourhoods.
Where there is such a rich cultural history within this great city of New Orleans, current residents struggle to survive with limited monetary and civic resources. Because of the limited resources the community residents find it difficult to earn a living and raise children in a safe, peaceful, productive and flourishing environment.
All of the Cultural and Heritage Division programming is focused on allowing the youth, not only from the 7th ward, but the entire city of New Orleans and surrounding areas, to express themselves and connect to their neighbourhood and what they see as hopeful and promising in their personal futures and the community’s future. We continue the efforts of renewing the members of the community, by coming together to encourage social change.
Photo by Brian Rapsey
Expected Outcomes
The outcomes of this project culminates on Mardi Gras morning each year when the youth involved in the Red Flame Hunters are able to showcase their year's work of creating, decorating, and constructing beautiful Mardi Gras Indian suits.
The intangible benefits however are far more important. The Red Flame Hunters represent the next generation who will keep the culture and tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians alive while at the same time learn self worth, stay away from the temptation of the streets and are provided with a support network of positive influences.