
Big Chief, Black Hawk | The Joy of Brotherhood
Clip: Season 11 Episode 1 | 3m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
The brotherhood - with love & support - of Big Chief Tee, Gang Flag Ty and Spyboy Fatman.
On Mardi Gras, Terrance Williams, Jr. is known as Big Chief Tee of the Black Hawk Hunters. But to two members of this Mardi Gras Indian tribe - Tyrell "Ty" Williams, Jr. (Gang Flag) and Simeon Israel, Jr. (Spyboy Fatman), he is their eldest brother who supports and loves them as family. And that love is extended to their mother, Tinice "Tee" Williams.
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Major funding for America ReFramed provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding provided by Open Society Foundations,...

Big Chief, Black Hawk | The Joy of Brotherhood
Clip: Season 11 Episode 1 | 3m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
On Mardi Gras, Terrance Williams, Jr. is known as Big Chief Tee of the Black Hawk Hunters. But to two members of this Mardi Gras Indian tribe - Tyrell "Ty" Williams, Jr. (Gang Flag) and Simeon Israel, Jr. (Spyboy Fatman), he is their eldest brother who supports and loves them as family. And that love is extended to their mother, Tinice "Tee" Williams.
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipEvery year, Mardi Gras Indians sew their own suit by hand, and every year, they incorporate something that matters to them on a spiritual level.
This could be a civil rights legend to help to bring awareness to the plight of the ongoing struggle of being Black in America, like MLK.
Or, someone who represents them on a personal and spiritual level, like Haile Selassie.
Or it could be a dedication to the most important person in all our lives, someone who nurtured us to become the person we are, the person who was always there to cheer for us when we're right and scold us when we're wrong.
Our mamas.
They're not gonna see that.
- Hm?
- They're not gonna see that.
Where's Fatman?
Fatman?
Fatman, come here.
Tyrell, come here.
I've gotta talk to y'all.
Both of y'all come here.
Fatman come here.
I'm proud of you, Fatman.
You're pretty.
Yeah, I know.
Listen.
I'm extremely proud of y'all, all right.
Fatman, you coming out as the first spy, the first time.
You got this, ok?
Just like you practice.
You got it.
What are you?
Fatman - Spyboy Big Chief T - What spyboy?
Pretty spot boy.
Tyrell... you do your job.
All right?
I love y'all.
I love both of y'all, all right?
Come here.
All right.
For "Indian Red" Fatman, when I call you out, when you're almost done, you go to Mommy, give her a hug and tell how much you're thankful.
OK... that you're thankful for her.
All right.
But remember, when we do "Indian Red" you go to momma and tell her how much you love her.
Your suit is for her.
All right, Your suit is dedicated her... All right.
"And you?"
Yeah, me of course.
Mm.
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Beyond the Lens with Jonathan Isaac Jackson
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S11 Ep1 | 4m 30s | A conversation with director Jonathan Isaac Jackson of BIG CHIEF, BLACK HAWK. (4m 30s)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | Appreciation, Not Appropriation
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Clip: S11 Ep1 | 1m | What is the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation? (1m)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | COVID-19: Culture Killer
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S11 Ep1 | 1m 12s | The cultural impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the city and people of New Orleans. (1m 12s)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | Dedication to Mother and Tribe
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S11 Ep1 | 43s | The dedication of brothers to their Mardi Gras Indian tribe while honoring their mother. (43s)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | Mardi Gras Indians and Music
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S11 Ep1 | 1m | One element of New Orleans culture is music, which is influenced by Mardi Gras Indians. (1m)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | Preview
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S11 Ep1 | 30s | A brief look at the youngest Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief and “the culture” in New Orleans. (30s)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | The Mardi Gras Experience
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Clip: S11 Ep1 | 54s | What was your first Mardi Gras experience? (54s)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | The Next Generation: Stepping Up
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Clip: S11 Ep1 | 4m 57s | New Orleans' young Black generation stand up to injustice after the death of George Floyd. (4m 57s)
Big Chief, Black Hawk | Trailer
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S11 Ep1 | 1m 32s | A brief look at the youngest Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief and “the culture” in New Orleans. (1m 32s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
Major funding for America ReFramed provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding provided by Open Society Foundations,...