The Krewe of Choctaw once again transformed the ballroom of the Jean Lafitte Auditorium in Lafitte into the Sacred Tribal Grounds of the Mighty Chief Choctaw in a gala performance Saturday.
The chief presented his traditional tableau in celebration of the krewe's 89th anniversary and the 40th annual Big Pow-Wow, with the theme "Choctaw Visits Versailles."
Reigning as Princess Choctaw 2024 was Mrs. Monique Sutherland Massi, wife of Mr. Christopher M. Massi. Her majesty's gown of burgundy dupioni silk with crystal inlays was trimmed with eggplant and gold accents. She wore the traditional Choctaw feathered headdress to match her gown.
Maids to her majesty were Miss Londyn Juliet Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lance Lee; and Mrs. Kathie Bourg, wife of Mr. David Bourg.
Papooses to the princess were Misses Ramsey Brooke Hess, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hess; Harper Grace Janis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Janis; and Rylie Camille Marcotte, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Marcotte.
The Indian Maidens were Misses Kaitlyn Martine Janis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Janis; Ivy Lee Michelle Massi, daughter of Mr. Jonathan Massi and Ms. Glenda Waugh; Cali Jordan Mitchell, daughter of Mr. Jeston Mitchell and Ms. Regina Terranova; Avery Rose Tutwiler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hess; and Blair Therese Winter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Winter.
Dr. John Pasteur Hamide reigned as Mighty Chief Choctaw. His majesty personified the leader of a Native American tribe that flourished in the Southern states. His costume and headdress, also made of burgundy dupioni silk, was trimmed in burgundy and gold and matched his princess.
Papooses were Masters Alexander James Janis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Janis; and Isaac Stan Lee Massi, son of Mr. Massi and Ms. Waugh.
The Indian Braves and Guardians of the Great Tribal Tee-Pee were Messrs. Michael Francis Croft, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Croft; and Ernest Leroy Mabes IV, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mabes III.
Portraying the all-knowing, all-seeing Medicine Man was Mr. Peter Ochello.
Pushmataha, the great Choctaw leader of the 19th century, was portrayed by Mr. Stanley LeBlanc Jr.
The recipient of the Godfrey Boudreaux Memorial Award for outstanding service to the krewe was Mrs. Sheila Holt Mabes.
The coordinator for the Big Pow-Wow was Mr. Scott M. Holt and the court committee chairman was Mr. Janis. Narrator was Mr. Ricky DeCastro Jr.
The captain is Mr. DeCastro. Board members are Messrs. Holt, Daniel Meeks, James Ortego, Kim Ellingburg and Mrs. Toni Sisung. Float lieutenants are Mesdames Charel Baldasarro, Terry Breaux, Jina Ellingburg, Britney Furbush, Nicole Jefferson, Kristie Livingston, Jennifer Messa, Dana Newsom, Mia Posey, Kristen Sepulveda and Messrs. Winter, Ken Pellegrin and Walter Sisung III.
The krewe will parade on the traditional Uptown route Feb. 3.