Preserve the Tradition. Protect the Culture. Keep the Feathers Flying.
The Big Chief Feather Trust is a fund protecting New Orleans' Black Masking (Mardi Gras Indian) tradition for generations to come.
Passing the Feathers Forward
For generations, the Black Masking Indians of New Orleans have created breathtaking works of art—intricate, hand-sewn suits of beads, rhinestones, and feathers. This tradition, born from resistance and resilience, is far more than an art form. It is a sacred cultural inheritance and the spiritual backbone of our communities.
Today, that inheritance is at risk. Essential plume feathers can cost up to $600 per pound, and a single chief's suit often requires several pounds.
This staggering cost is forcing the tradition's most venerable keepers, our elders, to step back. It is barring the next generation from participating. This threatens to break the vital, intergenerational chain of knowledge. When a culture bearer can no longer afford to mask, we don't just lose a suit—we lose a piece of the living soul of New Orleans.
A Lasting Legacy
The Big Chief Feather Trust is a collaborative partnership with New Orleans & Company and stewarded by the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Its single purpose is to secure and distribute feathers and essential materials so makers can sew, teach, and mask. Your gift fuels year-round, bulk procurement to stabilize prices and provides rapid material support when a suit is at risk. We ensure the artisans who are the lifeblood of this culture have the resources they need to thrive.
Big Chief Shaka Zulu
Keepers of the Culture
Our work is about community continuity, not personality. The fund's priorities to support elders, youth, and active sewing circles are guided by seasoned culture-bearers.
This includes advisory leadership from Big Chief Shaka Zulu of the Golden Feather Hunters, who has long championed this mission. This collaborative structure ensures the Trust serves the community's needs directly and authentically.
Be a Part of the Legacy
Your support is vital. A donation of any size contributes directly to the endowment, securing the future of the Black Masking tradition. All donations are tax-deductible and processed securely by the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
This is a unique opportunity to align with the most authentic, resilient, and enduring part of New Orleans' cultural identity. The Big Chief Feather Trust offers a tangible, high-impact way to invest in community preservation.
Your support helps underwrite bulk feather orders, fund our "Kits for Kids" program, or provide in-kind logistical and material support. This is more than a donation; it is a visible, long-term commitment to protecting a priceless American art form admired around the world. Use the form, and our team will follow up to discuss a bespoke partnership.
Big Chief Shaka Zulu's Coral Suit
VOLUNTEER
Give Your Time. Sort the Legacy. Procuring the feathers is only the first step. Once received, these precious materials must be meticulously sorted, graded, and prepared for distribution to the artisans. This hands-on work is a critical part of the mission, ensuring the right materials reach the right hands at the right time.
We are building a list of dedicated volunteers to help us manage our inventory and connect the artisans with the materials they need. Join us and be a part of a lasting legacy.
