This Saturday, September 21 the relatively new Joan Mitchell Center (JMC) for art on Bayou Road presents a screening of the rare documentary film from 1976, The Black Indians of New Orleans, along with a talk-back to immediately follow the film. The Black Indians of New Orleans has received international acclaim and attention and is considered the first definitive film looking at the origins and rituals of the Black Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans, long before the barrage of films that undertook this adventure after Hurricane Katrina. The screening takes place as part of its new locally-focused fall cultural programming under new JMC Director, Gia Hamilton.

This film’s focus is on two tribes: the Yellow Pocahontas, led by Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana, and the White Eagles, led by Big Chief Gerald “Jake” Milon. The film reveals the socio-cultural history of the Mardi Gras Indians, their costume preparation, music, songs, dance, and gatherings for a ritual practice. The second half is a sunrise to sunset visual account of the processions and street culture of the Black Indians on Mardi Gras Day.

The filmmaker, Dr. Maurice Martinez is a New Orleans-born poet, photographer, musician, and filmmaker and is presently a Professor in the Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Secondary Education at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Glancing at his body of work, it is evident that he is steeped in African American culture through both his natural heritage and his scholarly endeavors. In addition to The Black Indians of New Orleans, he has written numerous articles about the Mardi Gras Indians over many years. He returns home this weekend to present his ground-breaking film as part of a multi-day retreat for many of New Orleans’ Black Mardi Gras Indian Chiefs at the JMC.

The discussion after the screening is with the filmmaker himself, and will be led by yet another esteemed poet, writer and New Orleans culture-bearer, Kalamu Ya Salaam. Salaam was also a steady contributing writer to OffBeat Magazine during the first 10 years of its lifetime, covering local culture throughout the 1990s. Salaam will interview Martinez and the floor will be open to Q&A. The film screening event is free and open to the public.