AtD and the Wild West

[David Morris]

The mardi Gras Indians lived in the poorer neighborhoods, but in New
Orleans those neighborhoods are scattered all over the City.  There
have long been two MG Indian "associations" of tribes, one centered in
"Uptown" and one centered in the Treme (a very old neighborhood next
to the French Quarter).  And remember, though huge areas of the City
flooded, the oldest heighborhoods built before there were any levees
at all did not flood at all.  Water depth also varied greatly, so if
you lived in a house raised 3 feet off the ground (as are MANY houses
here) your house may have been untouched.  Also remember, the MG
Indians were yearly making "new suits" to parade anew each year, so
that which was lost will be replaced if the Indians themselves remain.

I don't know any statistics, so I can't say how many MG Indians remain
in the City or will return.  They are groups who are largely poor, but
also who have great love for the City and its traditions.  The City
also greatly loves them, so I predict they will recieve help to return
to some degree.  That is our hope...

David Morris

On 8/29/06, Ray Easton <kraimie at kraimie.net> wrote:
>
> Much of the art of the Mardi Gras Indians was lost forever in the flood  waters.  And they are now in serious danger of extinction -- the  neighborhoods in which they lived are among the most storm-damaged  parts of the city.
>