Wild Opelousas of Martin Behrman Charter School created their first Mardi Gras Indian suits in 2016. Students are able to take a class to about this important New Orleans cultural tradition and share in making the suits, under the guidance of Teacher Liz Arias and members of the Indian community. The tribe presents their new suits to classmates, teachers, and family, with a parade around the school the Thursday before Mardi Gras. They will be making their second public appearance by invitation of the Mohawk Hunters during West Fest (West Bank Super Sunday) on April 22, 2018.
Tribe members are elected by their classmates and move up the ranks based on leadership qualities and appreciation for the culture. Big Queen Regine Roberts took over the role from her older sister, with great enthusiasm from her family as she continued her sister’s legacy. Big Chief Tycen Grant moved up from the title of Wild Man, and has found the experience to be a confidence booster that keeps him busy and engaged. Grant’s mother Takisha Wright and his sisters helped with sewing over the months, and have found new understand of the culture and catharsis in the process of sewing.
Teacher Liz Arias has contracts with the students in the tribe mandating weekly after school Indian practices and requirements for academic achievement in order to participate. She hopes to give them a sense of accomplishment, deeper understanding of the tradition, and a sense of community around their tribe. Students in the class learn about Mardi Gras Indians from Mardi Gras Indians, with a full curriculum Arias designed under the guidance of Mohawk Hunter Jamal Casby and others in the community. They also enjoy coaching and guidance from Indians throughout the year.
The Big Chief, Big Queen, Little Queen Cass and the rest of the tribe have discovered that the process of sewing has helped their concentration and conviction in life. Taking on the Indian spirit taught the Big Queen about letting go of negativity when she takes on the responsibility of masking in this tradition. Each member feels a solemn responsibility to represent the culture, while they continue learning from each time they put the feathers on or work the needle and thread.
This series follows the making of their 2018 suits leading up to Thursday before Mardi Gras on February 8, 2018. Their second public appearance will be the this Sunday with the Mohawk Hunters during West Fest or West Bank Super Sunday on April 22, 2018.
by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
Interviews with Wild Opelousas cofounder and Martin Behrman Charter teacher Liz Arias, little Queen Cass Antione, Big Chief Tycen Grant, his mother Takisha Wright, and Big Queen Regine Roberts
360 Video of Wild Opelousas presenting their new suits on February 8, 2018
Wild Opelousas of Martin Behrman Charter school Big Chief Tycen Grant, Big Queen Regine Roberts, Spy Boy Kyllon Martin, Princess Amiya Awogboro, and Little Queen Cass Antione during West Fest on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Martin Behrman Charter school Liz Arias helps student and Big Queen Regine Roberts into her suit before the West Fest parade on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Wild Opelousas Spy Boy Kyllon Martin gets help with his face paint before West Fest parade on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Wild Opelousas Big Queen Regine, Big Chief Tycen, and their teacher Liz Arias meet with Mohawk Hunter Big Chief Tyrone Casby before the West Fest parade on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Wild Opelousas get ready for the West Fest parade on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Wild Opelousas Big Queen Regine during West Fest on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen, Big Queen Regine, and Little Queen Cass walk in the West Fest parade on April 23, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee www.rhrphoto.com
Cass, Tycen, and Amiya chat while sewing after school on September 5, 2017.
Regine sews a patch for her 2018 Wild Opelousas suit on September 5, 2017.
Members of Wild Opelousas sew as a group after school on September 5, 2017. Along with help from younger classmates on smaller patches and weekly after school get togethers, Tribe members sew with at home and often worked with their families to complete the suits in time. They must be ready for the unveiling at their school the Thursday before Mardi Gras, while maintaining good grades.
Regine, Tycen, and Cass of Wild Opelousas sew as a group after school on September 5, 2017.
Liz Arias classroom on November 16, 2017.
Big Queen Regine works on a large piece while classmates help with the smaller patches on November 16, 2017.
Lis Arias talks with her class about the goals for the day on November 16, 2017. Younger classmates work on smaller patches for the tribe, while learning about the history of the tradition.
Liz Arias classroom on November 16, 2017.
Students learn to sew small patches that will contribute to the 2018 Wild Opelousas suits on November 16, 2017.
Students learn to sew small patches that will contribute to the 2018 Wild Opelousas suits on November 16, 2017.
Students learn to sew small patches that will contribute to the 2018 Wild Opelousas suits on November 16, 2017.
Big Queen Regine works on a large piece while classmates help with the smaller patches on November 16, 2017.
Liz Arias classroom on November 16, 2017.
Tycen sewing at home with his sister on November 29, 2017.
Tycen sewing at home with his family on November 29, 2017.
Tycen sewing at home with his family on November 29, 2017.
Wild Opalousas Big Chief Tycen Grant with his patches on November 29, 2017.
Wild Opalousas Big Chief Tycen Grant's boot sit complete after school on January 9, 2018.
Members of Wild Opelousas and teachers Liz Arias and Jamal Casby work on suits and get ready for practice on January 9, 2018.
Flag Boy Tory Butler crown on January 9, 2018.
Teacher Liz Arias works with Flag Boy Tory Butler on his crown, while Jamal Casby addes feathers to another members crown on January 9, 2018.
Mohawk Hunter and Martin Behrman Charter teacher Jamal Casby addes feathers to a crown on January 9, 2018.
Indian practice on January 9, 2018.
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen gets help from his mother Takisha as the tribe prepares to show their suits their classmates and teachers on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Princess Amiya gets help with her braids while the tribe prepares to show their suits their classmates and teachers on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas show their suits their school after months of work on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen gets help from his mother Takisha while Teacher Arias helps Big Queen Regine as the tribe prepares to show their suits their classmates and teachers on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas excitedly prepares to show their suits to classmates and teachers on Febuary 8, 2017.
Members of the Mohawk Hunters play traditional Mardi Gras Indian songs for the suited Wild Opelousas tribe on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Queen Regine dances during Indian Red on Febuary 8, 2018.
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen dances during Indian Red on Febuary 8, 2018.
Wild Opalousas Big Chief Tycen Grant, Flag Boy Tory Butler, Little Scout Sevyn Anderson, Big Queen Regine Roberts, Princess Amiya Awogboro, Little Queen Cass Antione, Spy Boy Kyllon Martin ready to show their Indian suits to the school on Febuary 8, 2018.
Wild Opelousas Little Queen Cass presents her new suit to teachers, classmates and family on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas present their new suits to teachers, classmates and family on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Queen Regine presents her new suit to teachers, classmates and family on Febuary 8, 2017.
Princess Amiya and Little Queen Cass walk infront of classmates the Thursday before Mardi Gras on February 8, 2018.
Princess Amiya on February 8, 2018.
Wild Opelousas Spy Boy Kyllon Martin on Febuary 8, 2018.
Wild Opelousas Spy Boy Kyllon Martin leds the tribe along Opelousas Avenue on Febuary 8, 2018.
Wild Opelousas present their new suits to teachers, classmates and family on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Flag Boy Tory Butler shows his suit to classmates after months of work on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Little Queen Cass on Febuary 8, 2018.
Wild Opelousas Big Queen Regine show her suit to classmates after months of work on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Queen Regine Roberts on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen Grant shows his suit to classmates after months of work on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen Grant on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas show their suits their school after months of work on Febuary 8, 2017.
Wild Opelousas Big Chief Tycen, Big Queen Regine, Flag Boy Tory, Little Queen Cass, Princess Amiya, and Spy Boy Kyllon in front of Martin Behrman Charter school on Febuary 8, 2017.