Gina Montana, Big Queen of the Yellow Pocahontas, grew up in a family and community rich with unique culture and tradition. 

 

Gina's passion to mask Indian arose in the 1990s. With the guiding hand of Big Chief Tootie Montana, her second cousin and "Chief of Chiefs," she learned sewing technique as well as the art of design, and passed on the tradition of masking as a Mardi Gras Indian.

 

Queen Montana believes that is is important to honor and respect the culture, "by teaching the sewing and masking traditions to children." Gina Montana celebrates her 20th anniversary with the Yellow Pocahontas in 2015.