Back in 1994, before smart phones and social media, there was a series of historic, even miraculous, events. Some would call it prophecy, others say that it is a distant cry from our ancestors. Regardless of how people describe these events, they need to be documented for the historic record. The story revolves around distinct cultural traditions from different regions that converged in a sacred ceremony in New Orleans. A Ghost Dance Pipe Carrier, a Renegade Cherokee Medicine Man, and a Black Indian Chief called together a Sacred Medicine Circle in Congo Square on August 27. Their prayer was to bring attention to some very important history that was on the verge of being forgotten forever. Unbeknownst to them the first White Buffalo was being welcomed into the world on that day hundreds of miles away.
“Our ancestors will rise from the graves to bring songs and dances to heal the nations of the world.” -Local Native Prophecy as told by Goat Carson
What is The Ghost Dance?
Ghost Dance is often considered the first pan-cultural shared “religion” of the Native People of North America. It wasn’t a “religion” like Christianity, Hinduism, or Judaism as it did not come from a book. Instead it came from the vision of a Paiute Medicine Man named Wovoka. His vision came during a solar eclipse on New Year’s Day in 1889
The Ghost Dance is a belief that our ancestors are close, we should not fear death, and we shall live again. They believed that the Ghost Dance would reunite the spirits of the dead with the spirits of the living. Participants would dance for hours, chanting until they became entranced. Some would faint and have visions while all said that their ancestors would join them in the dance.
The tradition spread throughout the country as this was during the height of the Indian Wars. They believed that the Ghost Dance and ancestors would help the fight against westward expansion of colonialism. The last major confrontation in the Indian Wars was at Wounded Knee in December of 1890. The Lakota People were massacred, unarmed while doing the Ghost Dance. Many say that this was the end of the Ghost Dance movement but time may tell a different story.
We shall live again. -Ghost Dance Chant
What is White Buffalo?
The story stretches back 19 generations in the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota traditions. It is the story of the first Peace Pipe that was brought to the people by White Buffalo Calf Woman. The stem of the pipe represents the masculine. The bowl represents the feminine. The sacred herbs and tobacco placed in the pipe represent the earth. The fire that is pulled through the pipe represents purification. The words spoken upon the exhale in smoke are considered a prayer sent to Creator. This was also considered a form of contract used for treaties by oral traditions people.
The prophecy says that after White Buffalo Calf Woman gave the people the pipe she promised to one day return. The story says that she would return during a time of great turmoil and destruction. She would represent a great blessing and a warning for the people. The stories say that she would return in the form of a White Buffalo. If people remembered the teachings she gave them then they would recognize her return.
What is Congo Square?
Congo Square is located in what is now called Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans in the Treme Neighborhood. Goat and Tootie picked as the place for Sacred Medicine Circle at High Noon because of its historical significance. During the times of slavery The drum was used to communicate between plantations during times of slavery. There were different rhythms for planting, harvesting, births, weddings, and for war. When war drums were played local natives would raid plantations to free the slaves. You can learn more about this early solidarity between slaves and natives here.
As the result of various uprisings, stretched animal-skin drums were outlawed on plantations. Claude Treme was a progressive French slave owner who still allowed drumming and dancing on Sundays in Congo Square. People danced Kalinda from the Caribbean and Bamboula from Africa to polyrhythmic beats. Similar to the Ghost Dance the dancers would become entranced from these ancestral sounds. When these polyrhythms mixed with the traditional 4-beat pow-wow drum this is where blues and jazz music was born.
New Orleans Congo Square is the birthplace of modern music. The blues evolved into jazz, rock, gospel, funk, hip-hop and beyond. When rock-n-roll gained popularity in the 50’s, young listeners would become entranced and even faint. Church-goers tried to outlaw rock-n-roll, calling it the Devil’s Music. Yet maybe it was just a distant call from the ancestors? Regardless, it was because of this history that Chief Tootie Montana and Goat Carson picked Congo Square for their Medicine Circle at High Noon in August of 1994.
What are Black Indians?
The gradation of melanin for native people varies greatly. Colonial authorities manipulated classification systems to justify slavery, land dispossession, and segregation. African and Indigenous people’s legal status became interchangeable. Colonial laws often classified enslaved people simply as “Negro,” a category that also included Indigenous People.
Laws in Southern states redefined mixed-race individuals as “Black” or “Mulatto,” erasing Native identity. This forced many Indigenous people into the legal category of enslaved Africans. Native Americans, especially those who lived among and intermarried with Black people, were deliberately reclassified as “Negro” or “Colored”. This was an effort to strip them of their ancestral claim to the land.
“As I delved more into Caribbean Carnival culture, I quickly recognized the connectedness of our Black Masking Indian culture. The diaspora of African culture is vast and expands to and influences things in culture that we subconsciously overlook. I didn’t want to do that so this suit shows women of color in different complexions because we are a diverse people.” -Queen Tahj Williams
Colonial authorities sold many Indigenous Americans from the Carolinas in the Caribbean. Meanwhile they also sold Caribbean Natives as slaves in Louisiana. By the 20th century the concept of paper genocide emerged. This was the systematic erasure of Native identity through legal records. Many people classified as “African Slaves” were actually Indigenous Americans and their descendants are waking up to this truth today.
In New Orleans these Black Indians with mixed Creole Heritage continue to celebrate their ancestry. Through masking, feathers, and fancy bead-work they took to the streets during Mardi Gras and carnival season. Many famous songs from New Orleans sing about this history but the general public rarely understand the meanings and context. Though today through Tik Tok and social media, discussions about this history have become more popular. Yet back in 1994 this history was practically unknown or forgotten altogether.
Who is Big Chief Tootie Montana?
Big Chief Tootie Montana is one of the most legendary chiefs of the Black Indian masking tradition of New Orleans. In the old days the Black Indian Gangs would often have violent encounters and street wars. Tootie Montana transformed the culture with the beauty, craftsmanship, and artistry of his Indian suit and headdress each year. Over time the other chiefs dropped their weapons and the tradition became a battle of pageantry. Each chief trying to make the prettiest suit as a show of pride for their ancestry and lineage. Many called Tootie “The Peace Chief”. A gorgeous statue of him now stands in his honor at Louis Armstrong Park in Congo Square.
Who is Goat Carson?
Goat Carson along with Chief Tootie Montana had the vision to host the Sacred Medicine Circle at High Noon. Goat called himself a Renegade Cherokee because his ancestors escaped during the Trail of Tears. They settled in Mineral Wells Texas near my mother’s family and continued to practice their cultural traditions. You can learn more about the Trail of Tears and see a video with powerful wisdom about that era here.
Goat was a Dream Walker who had a small harp made from the jaw of a buffalo. He played it each morning and sang before the sun came up. This is where he received prophetic visions that he shared in poetry and song lyrics. He was also a lyricist for the late great Dr. John.
Medicine Ceremony at High Noon
Goat Carson and Big Chief Tootie Montana wanted to commemorate this important history in a public ceremony. Goat called on David Carson, author of Medicine Cards, and Kam Nightchase, a Ghost Dance Pipe Carrier to join. There was much controversy due to racism. Some people did not want to acknowledge the blurred history between Africans and Natives in the region. For this reason Goat Carson asked for a sign from the Buffalo Nation as a sign that this ceremony was good medicine in Creators eyes.
The White Buffalo was born on August 20th but nobody knew it on that day. It took 3 days for Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of White Buffalo Pipe to be notified. Then it was 4 days of rites and ceremonies to acknowledge the return of the buffalo. It was officially announced on that 4th day, August 27 that a White Buffalo named Miracle was born . This happened to be the same day as Sacred Medicine Circle at High Noon in Congo Square.
City Proclamations
You can download these city proclamations in PDF form by clicking the link. Feel free to use this information for educational purposes.
- August 24, 1994
Sacred Medicine Circle at High Noon - September 18, 1994
The City of New Orleans Recognizes The Birth of The White Buffalo and Declares White Buffalo Day - August 27, 1995
The Great and Common Aspirations of the Heart of All Human-Kind For Unity, Peace, and Healing - August 27, 1996
Chief Arvol Looking Horse Did Bless and Recognize Congo Square as Sacred Grounds - August 27, 1997
Lighting of The Sacred Fire of The Spirit of The Maroon Nation - August 27, 1998
Honors the Beloved Woman and Joins with The Lakota Pipe Carrier, Kam Night Chase, and the Sacred Pipe of Peace - August 27, 1999
This council recognizes the work of Jacob Devaney and The Living Folklore and joins people around the world in Honoring The Sacred Drum At Congo Square - August 27, 2000
Honoring The Sacred Pipe and Praying for The Healing of The Wounds of The People - August 27, 2001
Honoring The Children of The Seventh Generation and The Healing Power of Their Innocence - June 21, 2002
City of New Orleans Recognizes World Peace and Prayer Day on June 21, 2002 - August 27, 2002
In These Times When Trouble and Violence Are Increasing We Have No Choice But To Face The Mounting Chaos As One Family Of People - August 27, 2003
Chief Victor Harris of The FiYiYi Mardi Gras Indians His Drum and His Children Did Come To The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation Home of The Sacred Pipe and Chief Arvol Lookinghorse - August 27, 2004
A Wiping of The Tears Ceremony - August 27, 2005
Chief Arvol Lookinghorse And The People of New Orleans Welcome Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana As a Guide and Council for The People
Closing
I often think about those Ghost Dancers over a century ago chanting, “We shall live again.” If reincarnation is real, maybe they’d return to New Orleans and proudly dance through the streets in full regalia. Regardless, the Ghost Dancers have fulfilled their promise to live again through these stories and culture. The blessing and warning of White Buffalo reminds us of our part to create that future of unity and healing we dream of.
When you are in New Orleans, go visit The Backstreet Cultural Museum to take a deep dive into the history and culture. The songs and dances to heal the nations of the world continue to this day. If you listen closely to the drum, the ancestors may whisper stories for your ears only.
