Black Indians & the Art of Freedom in New Orleans
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The Black Masking Indian Tradition during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, developed through early encounters between the region's Indigenous and Black communities. This tradition has continued within the Black communities of New Orleans, with many participants being mixed race descendants of Black and Indigenous ancestry who self-identify as Black Indians. In this episode we highlight Flagboy Giz is an innovative musician, internationally-celebrated bead artist, and member of the Wild Tchoupitoulas Black Masking (Mardi Gras) Indian tribe who has been a leader in keeping up this undertold history and tradition.