10/12/2020
It’s Indigenous Peoples Day!
But every day is a good day to remember the many contributions Ms. Maria Tallchief made to the ballet world and beyond. An electrifying dancer, she was the original Firebird, and it was she who made the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” iconic. She accomplished many firsts in her career, all while resisting pressure to erase her Indigenous heritage, including her name.
Maria, born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief, was an Osage tribal member. Throughout her career she broke down barriers. She was one of the first Americans recognized in a ballet world long-dominated by Russian and European dancers. She was the first American to dance with Paris Opera Ballet. She also danced with Ballet Russe, American Ballet Theatre, and she was the first star of the New York City Ballet.
“In 1996, Tallchief became one of only five artists to receive the Kennedy Center Honors for their artistic contributions in the United States. That same year, the dancer was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Tallchief was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government, which honors individuals who ‘are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.’ (Other recipients of the award include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Harry Belafonte and Cab Calloway.)” -Biography.com
She passed away in 2013 at age 88. Read more about her life:
Acclaimed dancer of rare talent broke down ethnic barriers and performed with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
