- This event has passed.
Elders Sacred Talk Series: Chief Howard Miller and Kamau Wesley Phillips
Wed, September 3rd at 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
NOMA and the Congo Square Preservation Society present the Elders Sacred Talk Series with prolific elder New Orleanians, celebrating the lives they lead while providing the opportunity for visitors to learn firsthand about the impact they’ve had on our city. This conversation between Chief Howard Miller and Kamau Wesley Phillips will be moderated by Malik Bartholemew.
This program is included with museum admission, which is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative.
About the Speakers
Chief Howard Miller is chief of the Creole Wild West which is the oldest Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans whose origins date back to the late 1700s. Chief Miller has been masking as a Mardi Gras Indian since 1969 and first became Chief of the tribe in 1976. He currently serves as president of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council which was formed in 1983 in order to unify tribes across the city and to support the culture. As a culture bearer of this sacred tradition, Chief Miller is the leader of The Creole Wild West Youth Program teaching children the art of sewing, chanting, dancing, suit preparation and the meaning of the culture in general. Chief Miller has spoken as a guest lecturer at universities around the nation, some of which include New York University, Georgetown, Harvard, Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, Xavier University and Tulane University as well as numerous public schools and organizations locally in New Orleans. With over his 47 years of involvement in the culture, Chief Miller has grown into a masterful Storyteller and true historian of Mardi Gras Indian tradition.
Kamau Wesley Phillips is New Orleans born and raised. He began playing drums with the Desire Poets after hearing the Last Poets records during the Black Panther movement in the Ninth Ward. Kamau has studied and performed with Kidd Jordan, Sun Ra, Energy Funk Band, Desire Community Choir, Casa Samba, African Dance Groups; Free Spirit, Culu, Nkafu, and Sacred Dance Ministry, and Fiyiyi and the Mandingo Warriors. Kamau is a poet, author, drum maker, teacher, and designer with 50 years as The Ultimate Sideman. In 2013, he wrote and produced The Spirit of the Drum in Senegal, West Africa. In 2017, this production marked his Jazz Fest debut as a band leader.
About Elders Sacred Talks and Art Thrives
NOMA’s Art Thrives initiative presents creative aging programs designed to support visitors ages 55 and up. In addition to art-making workshops, courses, and opportunities for hands-on art-making, the Elders Sacred Talk Series provides a platform for older adults in New Orleans to share their experiences with audiences of all ages.
The Elders Sacred Talk Series is presented in partnership between NOMA and the Congo Square Preservation Society. Art Thrives is supported by E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.