Photographer: Erika Goldring

Date: April 5, 2009

Monk Boudreaux is Big Chief of the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians. I’ve walked from his house to Second and Dryades on Mardi Gras with him and his family the last five years. This day in 2009 was the first time for me to approach Sportman’s Corner with Monk in a different suit. His daughters, Nokie and Natché, started the Ladies of Unity Social Aid and Pleasure Club in 2008, and 2009 was the first year for the Men’s Division, the Men of Unity. It was the first time for him to come out with a social aid and pleasure club in nearly 30 years.