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Artist: Keelian Boyd & Shawmika Boyd
Big Chief Dump (Keelian Boyd) and Queen Mimi (Shawmika Boyd) are both educators and advocates for the Mardi Gras Indian sewing tradition, history, and culture. The couple, who turned their passion and hobby into an empire, host the beloved NOMGI Sip and Sew classes. Many Mardi Gras Indians are fascinated with beating other Indians of their same position. However, Chief Dump is fascinated with beating himself. His motto is: “I have to build a suit better than my last suit. I have to beat myself.” Color scheming, and street dances is far from his main focuses. His forte is the artistic elements, construction, and comfortability of his massive master pieces. He demonstrates his skills by making sure the constructions are solid, straight and balanced and as he notably says “My costume fits me like a tailor made suit from Rubenstein Brothers.”
Big Chief Dump was born and raised in the 7th ward of New Orleans and Queen Mimi was born and raised in the Lafitte Housing Project in New Orleans. Both reared in neighborhoods plagued with drugs and violence. They were determined to not become a product of their environment and gravitated to the culture of masking as Indians as an outlet to showcase their talents and become great citizens of their community.