Big Chief Allison ‘Tootie’ Montana Day Celebration

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

Tambourines rang out and voices rose in praise of Big Chief “Tootie” Montana, the late chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Black Indian gang, even before the official start of the annual Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana Day last week.

“Let him shine,” a group of men enthusiastically sang as they gathered on Henriette Delille Street just around the corner from where the official celebration of the noted “Chief of Chiefs” would begin at the Tomb of the Unknown Slave, located next to the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church.

It seemed appropriate that the spontaneous assemblage that filled the air with rhythms and chants happened in front of the home of Tootie’s cousin, Ms. Marion Colbert, 93, and just down the street from the Backstreet Cultural Museum, an institution dedicated to the Indian and Black Street culture. The museum, which was often a part of the tribute to Tootie, has sadly been too quiet since the pandemic and the death of its founder, Sylvester Francis. Francis was also a cousin of Montana’s wife, Joyce Montana. It’s all in the family and community.

Big Chief Darryl Montana, second from left, with Diana Honore and his sister, Denise Montana Stevenson during the Annual Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana Day celebrated each year on King’s Day, January 6.
Photo by Keith Hill

In 2012, the New Orleans City Council declared January 6 – Kings Day – which is recognized as the start of the Mardi Gras season, to be Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana Day in honor of his many contributions to the Black Indian nation. The Reverend Emmanuel Mulenga with Tootie’s son, Big Chief Darryl Montana, by his side, presided over the ceremony at the Tomb and blessed tambourines with holy water placed around the inclined cross dramatically laden with chains. Among the instruments was, significantly, the last tambourine that Big Chief Tootie, who died on June 27, 2005, had played.

Big Chief Darryl, who became the chief of the Yellow Pocahontas following his father’s death, spoke about the significance of the church mentioning that “at least four generations” of his family had been involved with St. Augustine. Big Chief Tootie Montana’s moving funeral services were held there.

“I am dressing this year,” Chief Darryl declared during the ceremony. “That’s what I feel I should do.” It will mark his 49th year as a masking Indian.

Big Chief Tootie Montana first put on an Indian suit at age seven and, in 1947, began his life-long Indian trail that included a remarkable 52 years masking. Of his many accomplishments, his son as well as many others believe his greatest contribution to the Indian tradition was encouraging the end of violence in the culture and making the competition between gangs to be based on the beauty of their suits – their magnificently skilled artwork.

“My daddy was always about the community,” declared Chief Darryl when the celebration moved to Armstrong Park to meet again around the statue of his father that resides there. At his side were his new Big Queen Dianne Honore, who will be masking for the first time in 2021, and his sister Denise Montana Stevenson. Close by was his cousin Gina Montana.

Once the chanting began again in the park, it was as if nobody wanted it to ever stop. It was apparent that despite everything New Orleans and Black Indian traditions would – have to – survive. Veteran Big Chief Clarence Dalcour, Big Chief Delco of the Creole Osceola tribe, led the traditional Indian refrain, “Get out the Way,” as Indians, followers and supporters danced and displayed joy, despite the essential coronavirus-preventative masks that hid their smiles but not their sparkling eyes.

Big Chief Tootie Montana, a family man and man of integrity, whose incredible three-dimensional style suits were revolutionary, stood before the New Orleans City Council on June 27, 2005. He was there to denounce the deplorable treatment of the Mardi Gras Indians by the New Orleans Police Department on St. Joseph’s Night, March 19, 2005. That night, when the Indians traditionally roamed the streets, out-of-control officers sped up their cars and drove them across the neutral ground to stop a small tribe celebrating on LaSalle Street. Others in the department belligerently forced Indians to disband and threatened arrest.

Big “Tootie” Montana’s last words on that fateful night in the Council chambers were, “This has got to stop.” Surrounded by Black Indian chiefs, many members of Indian gangs, his family and supporters, Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana – a Chief of Chiefs – suffered a heart attack and died at the podium.

As it should be, the final chant of Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana Day was, “Tootie Montana got a Golden Crown.” His legend and the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians lives on. “I did all that for the people.”

This article originally published in the January 11, 2021 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.