We are a traditional Mardi Gras Indian tribe comprised of New Orleans youth. We need your help to create our suits this year!
Before we start our efforts in receiving funding, we the Original Big 7 Cultural and Heritage Organization, would like to send our sincerer apologies, for sending your gift of appreciation to you out so late, we really appreciate you and all you have done for us.
This year we would like to start earlier for raising the funds for the all children Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, The Red Flame Hunters, from New Orleans, La. We now have a total of 10 Indians. The Indians have been practicing their songs, sewing every day after school and done with their school work, they all are pumped and excited about Mardi Gras 2013
The Red Flame Hunters, a traditional Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans, is comprised of teens from our neighborhood working with family and community to hand sew suits for our fourth consecutive year. The Seventh Ward is a centuries-old Creole neighborhood that has suffered systematic neglect and oppression for decades proceeding Hurricane Katrina. Continuing this tradition in our neighborhood with young people is a way of celebrating resilience and empowerment in the face of oppression and catastrophe.
We need your help this year to supply our young tribe with the materials to complete their elaborate suits in time to parade with other Indian tribes on Mardi Gras Day (February 12). Feathers, fabric, sequins, beads, and countless hours of work go into each Indian’s suit. With your support and help from our family and friends, we can continue to preserve and develop this important cultural institution for future generations.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
The risk that comes up with completing our project is simply not being able to suit all of or one of the young Indians in the organization to enjoy and participate in a famously old New Orleans Tradition of both Mardi Gras day or St. Joseph’s Night, where the Indians party, sing and dance, in the street of New Orleans every year.
Each suit take roughly about a year to complete, the children, their parent, family and friends all help in some way, to support such a great tradition. Every year there’s a new theme the Chief of the tribe choses, for them to coordinate with together. We as the organization, is to aid help, support, security, and a place where children can come and feel safe, and not hanging out on the streets all night, not doing anything productive. We purchase the supplies for the children, such as: stones, dental floss (used to sew), tubing, feathers, beads, canvases, and much, much more. We take the Children on weekend “field trips” to art and history museums historical sites, and to many music sessions around the city, mostly the French Quarter.
We have been able to overcome all obstacles that have come across us, this is our fourth (4th) year, and we are still here, holding on strong. Keeping this old New Orleans tradition alive and introducing and influencing this tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians to the youth.
66
Backers
$4,080
pledged of $3,500 goal
0
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Funding period
Nov 13, 2012 -
Jan 12, 2013
(60 days)
- 2 created · 1 backed
- Edward Buckner 206 friends
- Website: twitter.com
Pledge $10 or more
22 backers
A Group Picture Of The Red Flame Hunters Children Mardi Gras Indian Tribe 2013
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $50 or more
19 backers
A Decorated Mardi Gras Indian Fan, designed by the children themselves
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $100 or more
4 backers
Decorated Picture Frame with photo, designed by the children themselves
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $150 or more
1 backer Limited (5 of 6 left)
A Decorated Hat, Designed by the children themselves
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $200 or more
2 backers Limited (4 of 6 left)
Decorated Hat and Picture frame with picture, designed by the children themselves
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
