Prima Ballerina Maria Tallchief in NYC

The Osage dancer follows her dreams at the age of 17

An early portrait of Osage dancer Maria Tallchief, ca. 1940. From the photo scrapbook of dancer Nora Kaye. “In 1942, at the age of 17, Maria Tallchief moved to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming a dancer.”

📷 The New York Public Library Digital Collections.

"In many ways, I was a typical Indian girl — shy, docile, introverted. I loved being outdoors and spent most of my time wandering around my big front yard, where there was an old swing and a garden. I'd also ramble around the grounds of our summer cottage hunting for arrowheads in the grass. Finding one made me shiver with excitement. Mostly, I longed to be in the pasture, running around where the horses were..." - Maria Tallchief

Osage prima ballerina Maria Tallchief warming up in the dance studio. Photographed in 1950.

📷 Everett Collection

Maria Tallchief (right) and her sister Majorie at the benefit Gala Matinee of Ballet at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in December, 1960.

📷 Keystone Pictures