Our Tribe.
About & Founders
Tchoupitoulas was originally the name of a Louisiana Indian tribe (the “Chapitoulas Indians”), who formed Chapitoulas – later Tchoupitoulas – Street along the Mississippi River for trade. The formation of the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indian tribe took place in the early 1970s. Their 1976 album made with The Meters popularized Mardi Gras Indian chants to listeners across America and beyond.
The original inhabitants of the land that New Orleans sits on were the Chitimacha, with the Atakapa, Caddo, Choctaw, Houma, Natchez, and Tunica inhabiting other areas throughout what is now Louisiana.
Joseph H. De Grange in Historical Data of Spanish Fort (Louisiana Quarterly) tells us, “In1699, Iberville, then located at Biloxi, was informed of a bayou that was an Indian route to the river and his guide piloted him in a pirogue to an Indian portage...The Choctaws, the Biloxis, Bogue Chittos and Chinchubas, made long, hazardous trips across Lake Pontchartrain in birchbark canoes. From this portage, now Esplanade street, was a pathway worn from the travel of Indians from Bayou St. John, who, journeying overland, carried their canoes over Bayou Road to Rampart street, thence through Hospital street to the highlands on the Mississippi river. Bayou St. John was the route of traffic between Mobile, Biloxi and the Mississippi river. The various tribes of Indians, — the Tchoupitoulas, Choctaw and Natchez Indians, — were wont to make an annual visit to New Orleans on New Year's day to exchange compliments with the Governor and city authorities and to receive presents stipulated by treaty”. This 1720 map designates Native American territories as they existed at that time.
Hbishi Opa Luksi
Principle Minko (Chief)
Hopoksia Talako Luksi
Deputy Minko (Chief)
Umbuku Lusa Luksi
White Minko (Chief)
Shikoba Hatukchaya Luksi
Council Minko (Chief)