Indians a-comin'

The ranks of Mardi Gras Indians are still depleted due to post-Katrina displacement. But if Sunday night's practices were any indication, they'll be out in force this year, and in better numbers than last year.

The Wild Magnolias whooped it up with fervor and plenty of embedded political messages at a new place called Handa Wanda's (The empty lot next door used to contain the H&R Bar, the tribe's revered headquarters, writer Roger Hahn informs) -- and when Big Chief Dollis arrived, the crowd parted reverentially.

More informal, and even more touching, was the scene led by Yellow Pocahontas Big Chief Darryl Montana at the former Fox's bar, on Pauger and Marais Streets, where practices were once held by Darryl's father, Allison "Tootie" Montana.