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Indigenous Women: Maria Tallchief

Womanica

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Maria Tullchief - The First Native American Ballerina

Maria tullchief was the first indigenous ballerina in history to receive international recognition. At 12 years old, maria began rigorous training under the tutelage of the renowned polish dancer, branislava niginska. Her most celebrated performance was perhaps as the title role in firebird, an elaborate dance based on russian folk lore. Maria received special encouragement from her teacher during the height of world war too and signed on to join the ballet ruse de monte carlo in new york. From 19 54 to 19 55 maria returned home to New York where she continued dancing for another decade before retiring at age 80.

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