Donald Harrison Sr. Family papers

The family papers of long-time Mardi Gras Indian, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. mainly consists of ephemeral items, such as posters, announcements and flyers, invitations and programs, certificates, and promotional publications covering lectures and performances by Donald Harrison, Sr., and the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians. Additionally, performances and promotional materials for his son, Saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr., and his grandson, Trumpeter Christian Scott are significant within the collection. Ephemera of the Guardian Institute, the administrative arm of the Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum and Legacy Performance Pavilion established by Herreast Harrison in 2006 are also a significant portion of the papers. A small amount of correspondence for Herreast Harrison contained with the collection mainly focuses on her work with the institute and museum. A large portion of the papers encompass articles and news clippings regarding the activities of the Harrison family, particularly performances and reviews highlighting the music of Donald Harrison, Jr., the Blanchard-Harrison duet, and Christian Scott. There are some articles regarding Big Queen Cherice Harrison-Nelson and her performances and work with the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame. Photographs include images of Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr.; Herreast Harrison; Donald Harrison, Jr. and Terrance Blanchard; Cherice Harrison-Nelson; Big Chief Edwin Harrison, Jr.; Christian Scott; Guardians of the Flame; Young Guardians of the Flame; and images of the Harrison home post-Hurricane Katrina. Of interest are draft manuscripts of Al Kennedy’s biography of Donald Harrison, Sr., “Barkin’ out Thunder! Roarin’out Lightning! Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr. and his life in the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans,” as well as a copy of the book, Big Chief Harrison and the Mardi Gras Indians (Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing Company), 2010. Audiovisual materials within the collection include moving image and sound recordings of performances for the Young Guardians of the Flame; music by Donald Harrison, Jr. and Christian Scott; Brian Harrison-Nelson’s documentary, Keeper of the Flame; and a three disk memorial to Donald Harrison, Sr., Spirit Ties. Topics covered include: Post-Hurricane Katrina recovery, Mardi Gras Indians art, history, and culture, and literacy and education.