Big Chief · In Memoriam
Donald Harrison Sr.
In Memoriam (1933-1998). Founder.
Oddusee · New Orleans
Guardians of the Flame was founded in 1988 by Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr. (1933-1998), who had masked with several gangs and helped ease inter-tribal violence in the 1970s; the tribe first appeared publicly on Mardi Gras 1989. Harrison Sr.'s family carries it on: daughter Cherice Harrison-Nelson is Big Queen and co-founded the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame, grandson Brian Harrison Nelson became Big Chief in 2011, and son Donald Harrison Jr., the jazz saxophonist, recorded Indian Blues (1992) with the tribe and now leads Congo Nation. In recent years the gang has come out in the Musicians' Village in the Upper 9th Ward. Founded: 1988 Neighborhood: Upper 9th Ward (Musicians' Village) (Downtown) Comes out: Mardi Gras morning in the Musicians' Village, Upper 9th Ward.
The Council
Every name here carries the tribe — the council that leads the gang out, and the members who sew and mask. Council first, then the gang.
Council · The Tribe Comes Out Behind Them
Big Chief · In Memoriam
In Memoriam (1933-1998). Founder.
Big Queen
Daughter of Donald Harrison Sr.; co-founder of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame.
Big Chief
Grandson of Donald Harrison Sr.; Big Chief since 2011.
Big Chief
Jazz saxophonist; led the tribe after his father's death and now leads Congo Nation.
Masking Days · When This Tribe Comes Out