PRIMA BALLERINA
Maria Tallchief, whose father was a member of the Osage Nation, dreamed of being a ballet dancer from the time she was a little girl. At 17, she moved to New York City to pursue a career as a ballerina but racism stood in her way. She was advised many times to change her last name so her Native American heritage wouldn’t be readily apparent, but Tallchief refused. Her hard work, talent, and unwavering persistence paid off. Maria Tallchief eventually broke barriers as the first American to dance with the Paris Opera Ballet and the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. She became the prima ballerina at the New York City Ballet and was regarded as one of the greatest
dancers in the world.
- Maria Tallchief (Osage family name: Ki He Kah Stah Tsa) struggled with discrimination against Native Americans throughout her life and career. She spoke out about the discrimination she and her family experienced as a result of their heritage throughout her career.
