Cyril Neville Is Chahta Indian Ambassador

One of New Orlean's musical ambassadors now a genuine cultural ambassador.

By Blurt Staff

Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers was formally introduced as the new ambassador of  the Chahta Indian tribe.  All his life, his mother, father and uncle taught him that he was a Choctaw Indian, which he said is correctly pronounced "Chahta." But he only recently found the historical records that document his ancestry. 

Check out this clip via the the Times-Picayune as Cyril Neville sings 'Indian Red,' during his reception as the new ambassador of the Chahta Indians at Bonfouca near Slidell LA.

"I feel humbled and empowered at the same time," Neville said, in a statement. Neville's new role as ambassador will be to speak for the tribes that are centered in St. Tammany and include descendents of the 125 Chahta, Creek and Cherokee who did not leave during the forced relocation under Andrew Jackson, called the Trail of Tears. Members are spread throughout the Florida Parishes, and since Hurricane Katrina, are scattered in 29 states.

Brand New Blues, Neville's first release in eight years, was released in April on MC Records.