9th Ward
Navajo
Founded
2005
History
of the 9th
Ward Navajo
as told by
the tribe's Big Chief
Chief
Derrick
began
masking
as
a
Mardi
Gras
Indian
with
the
‘Wild
Magnolia”
in
1997
for
that
year.
While
holding
the
position
as
“Wildman”
with
the
Wild
Magnolias,
his
performance
kept
the
crowd
pumped
and
excited
with
the
dances
and
chants
he
performed.
As
he
sets
about
designing
his
Indian
suit,
his
ability
to
use
his
imagination,
comes
through.
During
the
making
of
his
one
of
a
kind
costume,
he
strives
to
give
the
observer,
one
of
the
most
breath
taking
views
they
can
see.
Chief
Derrick’s
patchworks
represents
the
Indian
culture
in
many
shapes,
forms
or
fashions.
His
suits
exhibits
the
skill
and
talent
with
beadwork
that
is
nearly
unequaled
in
the
nation.
His
sewn
beadwork
is
always
highlighted
with
sequins
and
beautiful
feathers.
He
is
dedicated
to
the
Indian
Culture,
and
his
beliefs
on
what
this
culture
means
to
him,
is
inspired
through
the
designs
that
are
etched
into
his
suits.
Chief Derrick made the statement, that during his masking with the
Wild Magnolias, he was taught, that hard work would some day pay off, and it
did. It wasn't long before , Derrick Hulin, the
current Big Chief of the Golden Blades, decided to start his own tribe
and asked Derrick to be his “Wildman”. Wildman
Derrick, at that time, was honored to hold the position, which required him to
guard Chief Hulin, which he did so, with dignity, and honored distinction for two
years. The primary duty of a Wildman” is
to protect his Chief and his tribe from over zealous and excited parade goers, photographers
and those that want to take souvenirs from the Indian suits, that can damage the
creations and to keep crowds at a distance.
During
this period, Chief Derrick, devoted his time in perfecting his skills and
understanding of the culture,
and mastering the power of the needle and tread.
During his tenure with the Golden Blades, Derricks’ skills were
enhanced and his sewing techniques were extremely advanced, almost attaining the
same level as the Chief of the Golden Blades.
As the Chief, continued to grow in this arena, he decided in order to move
his chosen vocation forward, he needed to spend time with another tribe, known
as the “Young Cheyenne”.
The
Young Cheyenne, headed
by Big Chief Thomas Dean, apparently admired
Derricks talents with the needle and thread, and lead him to ask Derrick to mask with
his tribe as “Wildman”. He agreed
and did so for four years.
Hard work again paid off for Mr. MaGee, that while masking with the “Young
Cheyenne”, Magee was offered 2nd Chief to the “Grey
Eagles”.
The elder chief,
Thomas Dean did not hold the young Magee back and gave permission for him to
accept the invitation if he wished. Mr. MaGee accepted the honors for two years.
During
this time young Mr. MaGee felt the need to fulfill his goal of becoming a Chief of his own tribe. After
consulting with former members, of the Golden blades, he and Mr. Alonzo Moore
made the decision to start a new tribe, named the ‘9th Ward
Navajo”
Mr.
Moore was anointed as the “Wildman”, “Spy Boy”, Mr. Henry Miller,
“Gang Flag”, Mr. Terry Carr. These
individuals were hand picked by the Chief, because of the trust, skill, talent,
and the desire to continue the tradition, beliefs of the nation and the
willingness to understand the history
of the Mardi Gras Indians and the Africans plight.
The 9th Ward Navajo Indians are looking forward to returning
to the streets of New Orleans
and masking on Fat Tuesday.
