Tootie was the Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe and made the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians about pageantry rather than combat display.

The art of masking in Indian suits at Carnival is a way to pay respect to the people who looked after escaped slaves.

[1] Originally, the Mardi Gras Indians were a violent group of people fighting over lands and wards surrounding the parishes.

[5] Tootie spoke out against Indian gang violence and turned to music and dance as a way to express competitive showmanship.

Tootie would use vibrant colors and ostrich feathers to display his pride to be a Mardi Gras Indian.

Tootie eventually removed the violent nature of Mardi Gras Indians by replacing it with a competition of beauty, and of love and sightseeing.

In the late 1950s, Tootie regained his title of Big Chief for the Yellow Creole Pocahontas tribe.

[11] The start of Carnival involves the Chief marching in the back of his tribe, while non-costumed followers trail behind the Indians, known as a second line.

This battle no longer involves bloodshed and weapons, but chanting and dancing, as well as an informal competition as to which chief has the "prettiest" suit.

The relationships between the tribes have become calm since the work that Tootie did with changing the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians.

On June 27, 2005 Tootie was making a speech at the New Orleans City Council Chamber against the NOPD abuse of the Mardi Gras Indians.

For most of his adult life, Montana worked as a lather, building wood or metal frames for plaster structures.

[9] In 1956, Montana married Joyce Francis, who never masked with the Mardi Gras Indians, but who did help Tootie with his suits over the years.