Golden Blades

Founded 1920's

One of the oldest surviving tribes

History of the Golden Blades

 as told by the tribe's Big Chief

 The Golden Blade tribe is one of the oldest tribes in Mardi Gras Indian’s tradition.  The tribe originated after World Ward II in the 1920’s in the neighborhood of N. Rocheblave, near the Calliope Project.  The original chief was the renowned Robert “Robbie” Thomas, who was also the Big Chief of the White Eagles, and the Golden Arrows.  The 1998 established charter is a spin-off of the old Creole Wild West tribe which was lead by the late Big Chief Julius “Brother” Tillman.  The Creole Wild West tribe is one of the largest tribes in Mardi Gras Indian history. Many of today’s renowned Indians previously masked with the Golden Blades. Such as, Wild Magnolias bass drummer Norwood “Gee Chee” Johnson (SpyBoy); Chief Curtis “Suge” Williams (5^th FlagBoy & 1^st chief) of the Cheyenne Hunters, Big Queen Barbara Sparks of the Yellow Jackets (Lil Queen).  Paul “Red” Lumphey was the last to hold the title Big Chief of the Golden Blades in the late 60’s.  The tribe dissolved and was reformed to become the Cheyenne Hunters.  The Golden Blades tribe was dissolved and off the streets for more than 20 years, until a young Chief by the name of Derrick T. Hulin revitalized the tribe in 1998.

 Derrick Hulin started masking in 1994 as 2^nd FlagBoy for the Wild Magnolias tribe under the leadership of Emile “Bo” Dollis.  Derrick has been involved with the tradition since he was 4 yrs old.  His father made his 1^st suit out of old rags of material and Mardi Gras beads.  From that point it has been in his blood to mask.  He studied the tradition, cutting out newspaper articles of any Indian he came across, practicing and singing along with pre-recorded songs from an old Wild Magnolia record and watching a friend of the family (Keith Barnes – SpyBoy of the Yellow Jackets then White Cloud Hunters) sewing on his costume.  Another friend of the family, Lawrence “Crip” Adams (former SpyBoy for Wild Magnolias) aware of Derrick’s desire to mask and his admiration of Chief “Bo” Dollis, introduce Derrick and his parents (Irvin & Ann Hulin) to Big Chief “Bo” Dollis of the Wild Magnolias.  With the opportunity presenting itself, Big Chief “Bo” Dollis gave Derrick an opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity to mask with the Wild Magnolias if he could sew.  A neighborhood friend, Joyce Eddie, taught Derrick how to bead patches and in return he taught his father how to bead.  Derrick worked summer jobs, weekend jobs, continued to go to school and sew in order to pay for his suit.  His first suit was created in 1994 (his Senior year in High School) and he masked with the Wild Magnolias as the 2^nd FlagBoy wearing his 1^st real Mardi Gras Indian suit in the colors of White & Red.  Derrick was a part of the Wild Magnolias for 6 years before deciding to go out on his own to become a Chief.  

   In 1999, Derrick received blessings from not only “Bo” Dollis to become a Big Chief, he also received blessings from Allison “Tootie” Montana (Chief Yellow Pocahontas); Big Chief Jake Millon of White Eagles, Big Chief Walter Cook of the Creole WildWest, 2^nd Chief Howard Miller of the Creole WildWest; Big Chief Pepe Estaban and 2^nd Chief Joe Pierre of the Golden Arrows, Big Chief Monk Bordeaux of the Golden Eagles, Gerard Lewis (Black Eagles), Curtis “Shug” Williams (Cheyenne Hunters), Charles Taylor (White Cloud Hunters), Larry Bannock (Golden Star Hunters) and Rudy Boueger (9^th Ward Hunters).  Derrick received special blessings from Curtis “Shug” Williams and Paul Lumphey to use the name Golden Blades  Derrick has been Big Chief of the Golden Blades now for 8 years and the tribe is going strong.  The GB currently has an active roster membership of 34 Indians and growing.  Because of the success of the Golden Blades, two tribes (Hard Head Hunters/Big Chief Otto De’Jean & 9^th Ward Navaho/Big Chief Derrick McGhee) have spun off from the GB to become strong forces of their own.  Big Chief Derrick has many accomplishments, but his proudest moment was when he & his tribe won the “Prettiest Indian” contest in 2001.  It wasn’t the fact they won trophies, but Big Chief Derrick was the last Big Chief that Big Chief Jake Millon of the White Eagles presented with a trophy before his death.  Big Chief Derrick was taught many things through different Indians, but he cherishes those words of encouragement given to him by Big Chief Jake…. “You’re young, you have plenty more to learn, but as long as you stay true to the game and to your gang, you will always have respect & honor.” 

 In 2005, the year of Katrina, Derrick along with many of the Golden Blades and the Creole WildWest tribes pulled together to ensure that the tradition that was a part of their heritage  to have Indian practice in Baton Rouge, LA.  To the Blades this was a very special year because many in both tribes were displaced and faced uncertain futures but the Golden Blades, the Creole WildWest along with many other tribes around the city showed up on Mardi Gras day to prove that the tradition of the Indians is a force to be reckoned with.

 Residing in Houston, TX with his fiancée and still rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Big Chief Derrick and several GB Indians prepared for Mardi Gras 2007 from cities outside of the Indians native home of New Orleans, LA.  With the obstacles of many of the Blades being displaced and a drop in participation for 2007, Big Chief Derrick still managed to prepare his tribe to participate in the Indian traditions of Mardi Gras Day; Super Sunday and St. Joseph’s Night. 

  In addition the traditional performances scheduled, the Golden Blades are also scheduled to perform at the Jazz Fest 2007 on Saturday, May 5^th @ 1:00pm with a 2007 season grand finale performance for 2007 scheduled at the Wedding of Big Chief Derrick Hulin on Saturday, October 06, 2007.