Maria Tallchief-Osage Native And America’s First Prima Ballerina: Hidden Figuras

As the country’s first prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief put American ballet on the map. She played an integral role in making the New York City Ballet world-renowned and even brought the Nutcracker from obscurity into the American zeitgeist. But in the years right before Tallchief was born, her entire family was nearly murdered when oil was discovered beneath the Osage reservation in Oklahoma.
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[@TwisterChasers]

THIS is the link Google should have provided to honor Maria Tallchief. This is beautifully done unlike the Google cartoon.

[@adeliazulaikhaazmi]

Yeah

[@googlyboogly9119]

Yes and they didn't truly tell how profound her impact was.

[@googlyboogly9119]

Yes and they didn't truly tell how profound her impact was.

[@DJ-gy3me]

This is such an amazing story and yet buried under so many years of neglect. To know an Indigenous woman was our country's first prima ballerina is something that needs to be recognized.

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

Yes. The libraries are a wealth of information.

[@laman8914]

And taught in schools

[@mariaellis2882]

No, it’s not been buried. You just never looked

[@sheilabloom6735]

I knew she was an American Indian but not Osage. Her sister Marjorie was also a ballerina.

[@CatsEyeBeauty]

I remember in elementary school, there was a (book) biography about Maria Tallchief. I actually still have that same book, oops, after over 40 years. After reading this book, and all the boundaries she broke, it instilled a fire in me to become a professional ballet dancer. Which I did. This video taught me more about her journey, thank you so much for sharing ❤

[@definitivecreations]

More than 40 years ago I wrote a report in elementary school on Maria Tallchief, and while I did not become a professional ballet dancer I was so lucky to take classes with professional ballet dancers as a teenager! I’ve always loved the dance and have so much respect for Maria and her contributions! ❤️

[@LindaMitchell]

Her story is asking for a movie or documentary. I loan so much from this channel. ❤️

[@hoibsh21]

Hopefully you won't have to pay it back.

[@cheyannelecamp226]

so happy to see a famous person with my heritage:)

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

Cheyenne, please see my posting today.

[@janedawson335]

As a little girl, I was mesmerized by this beautiful dancer - she has been largely forgotten- sad

[@patricias5122]

She will soon be featured on a U.S. quarter. I am glad to see her getting this recognition.

[@Gerbera726]

Didn't even know that a prima ballerina of Native American heritage made such an impact on modern American ballet.

[@lb2229]

Beautiful

[@clicktock]

I got goose bumps. I want more of Maria Tallchief. Like a more comprehensive biography and s detailed iteration of her life's work as a ballerina and as America's first true prima ballerina.

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

Try the library. See my posting.

[@DreDredel3]

Dancing isn't my thing, but her legacy is a testament to how perseverance & passion in what you do can get you far. She never forgot her roots at the pinnacle of her career despite the labels & stereotypes society had. Very inspiring.

[@leefiller604]

I saw Maria Tallchief in Buffalo, N.Y. in the 50s.. so beautiful

[@craigsanders227]

Being of Native American descent makes me appreciate the legacy one can leave behind for others.

[@geot4647]

She went beyond race, but today's sick revisionist historians might torch a ballet studio for her acquiescence to white imperialism.

[@lm6272]

WOW! I'm so impressed. She was full of beauty, grace and PRIDE for her heritage and her gift as a dancer. Why is this video not being shown on Google's front page? This tells it like it is for Native American Heritage month. Maria was such an incredible female inspiration for all of us to admire!

[@diegomontoya8889]

I came here simply because of the tiny part in David Grann's, "Killers of the Flower Moon"... This could have an entire biography dedicated to it.

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

Already done. See my posting today.

[@davidherringgo]

Me too

[@dr.100purrscent5]

It's always the ones they try to keep out that blow the door wide open for ALL to prosper. Well done Firebird Princess, well done 💗

[@miley4241]

Her autobiography is an amazing book her story is so romantic and inspiring!! 💕💖💕🥀🌹❤️🙏

[@Thedragonwithin]

She is so inspiring, beautiful, and mesmerizing to watch.

[@chrissystewart6268]

Wow Amazing I saw an Native American ballerina before . Maria Tallchief is the first Native American ballerina I heard today.

[@GeraKhan]

FANTASTIC!!!!! I didn't know and now I know, and I feel much richer for it! Thank you, Maria!

[@jeannecyrus1613]

An Osage dancer! How thrilling! Just read "Killers of the Flower Moon". So much respect for these First Americans. 🙏🏾

[@lareineii]

❤

[@karlos_infamous]

She's so beautiful, elegant and graceful. Her unique beauty is because of her multiracial background (Osage Native American father and Scots-Irish mother)

[@hoibsh21]

Amazing story, thank you!

[@katemcginty7565]

What an amazing and talented woman. And her smile was gorgeous!

[@ShushannaEarle359]

Marie Tallchief was a great Ballerina!!! 🥰🌴🇯🇲

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

Maria Tallchief was America's FIRST prima ballerina, and an Osage Indian. I worked for her at her home in Chicago for a day as she developed the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet concept. She was tiny, energetic, beautiful w long raven black hair. I discovered years later that she was an exquisite dancer, the best of the best. The Osage Nation was forced to move several times, then the oil strikes on their purchased land making them the world's richest people group, and then the murders of innocents, called the Reign of Terror. Maria Tallchief was the living legacy of God's love for the Osage Nation. She was born during the Reign of Terror. She is God's triumph. The phoenix who rose from the ashes. This is how I personally characterize The Firebird in retrospect, choreographed by Balanchine for his bride Maria Tallchief. The Reign of Terror is the focus of Martin Scorsese's upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon. Meanwhile see if your library will purchase the great documentary about her and the Osage Nation. Called "Maria Tallchief'' and made by Sandy Osawa, a Seattle Native American. The Reign of Terror history is given in this film. It was one of the FBI's first major cases. A more kid-friendly film starring Jimmy Stewart included the Reign of Terror. Film is "The FBI Story" from 1959. I also own the 1930 film "Cimarron" about the Oklahoma oil rush which includes a bit about the Osage Indians. Based on Edna Ferber's book, it's generally available in libraries. Also see the Google Doodle on Maria Tallchief. Of the many books about her, I love her autobiography as a children's book, with its watercolor illustrations.

[@Peaceful93754]

Outstanding video! Well organized. Excellent choice of speaker! Thank you!

[@elissapalmer5895]

Wow! Amazing story. I had never heard of her.

[@scottallencolorado]

Thank you for this story.

[@ingridllinas5612]

Beautiful story. Talented enough. Why changing her name for. Proud of her roots. Love it!

[@shirleyanne6573]

Thanks for posting this!

[@PrettyNatural92]

Beautiful just beautiful!😊😊

[@martheolesh9817]

There should be more than just one Native month in the year.

[@angelfiyah]

Quick and sweet, thank you

[@mariaphillips4538]

AWESOME and strong of heart and soul!

[@britneyborja8566]

This is so awesome, love her

[@amber7705]

Just found out about her and I am OBSESSED with her!

[@Mr_Hogfry]

that number of 60 Osage killed is much, much higher

[@markolitabays6323]

I Am Named For One Of Tallchiefs Students. My Mom Was Gena Fee Rasbury And Genius Pianist. Thanks For The Film!!!

[@janiemurphy8955]

SO GOOOD

[@rachellewalters8111]

Very impressive biography!

[@cherrygirl64]

Amazing story I have never heard. Just the fact that she was married to Ballanshene surprised me, the father of neo claasic ballet.

[@TheMadisonHang]

The American Dream, its a strange one but this one is the most accurate i've heard.

[@annjanitell]

Very nicely voiced. Who narrated this?

[@whorrorstories4485]

This is so cool. Learned about her from Google. Thank u google

[@jenniferblackwell6483]

I had to watch this for school

[@albertodiaz9853]

Real american

[@yolandaturner6169]

It’s a cool video

[@monkees777]

My dance teacher lived with her

[@bennyton2560]

coming from Killers of the Flower Moon, damm!

[@valeriejones2101]

Where is her Oscar movie?

[@ChristinaCapri25]

She was also Irish and Scottish, not only Native.

[@alazjaw.8968]

they said that sherlock

[@ChristinaCapri25]

@@alazjaw.8968 The documentary should have focused on all of her ancestral lines, not just her Native. Her Irish-Scottish mother was the parent who encouraged her, why not focus on her mother’s lineage?

[@alazjaw.8968]

@@ChristinaCapri25 she was born and raised on the reservation closer to her native family and had pride in being native when people chose to not acknowledge it and only focus on her white ancestry. her choosing to up lift native americans and american ballet was 100% intentional. it clearly had more influence on her culturally than her mother’s side.

[@ChristinaCapri25]

@@alazjaw.8968 Obviously not! She chose a very European profession. If she wanted to highlight her Native side, she would have chosen a Native tradition, not a European one.

[@alazjaw.8968]

@@ChristinaCapri25 there comes that point in an argument where you realize that the other person is simply a troll and you shouldn’t have engaged in the first place. you have a humiliation kink and I will not give you satisfaction.

[@yourcrustysocks6170]

I'm juilan

[@sevenoeightful]

Nice tribute, but she didn't die at 88. She died yesterday at age 95.

[@crystalm586]

No that was her sister Marjorie Tallchief, another famous ballerina.

[@bettetsouprake4435]

No, her sister Marjorie Tallchief, also an accomplished ballerina, died at 95!

[@floriatosca7271]

What means: “ Russian and European?”

[@Rover08]

Is English your second language?

[@silentnight9655]

This brilliant beautiful lady was mixed 50/50, not all Native American.

[@PhyllisMLeblanc]

Why are drums being played during the first part of video. Extremely racist. Narration removes respect this great lady deserves Thumbs down. Terrible video.

[@kweenme8101]

I think I am supposed to feel GOOD about an AMERICAN woman whose people were stripped of their name (AMERICAN) and land...and whose family was murdered. This same woman picks up the art of the oppressor/colonizer (non native americans/illegal immigrant) and excels. White America appludes her dancing and elegance BUT don't applaud her. They remain racist and her people remain on reservations steeped in generational turmoil. I don't feel good and you don't get to feel good cause you have an "AMERICAN" that you allow in to entertain you.