January 24, 2022 • By Christine Pasalo Norland

Maria Tallchief

The late prima ballerina and Osage member Maria Tallchief was born on January 25, 1925. Her life and career included turns with the Ballet Russe, the Paris Opera Ballet, the New York City Ballet, and the founding of the Chicago City Ballet with her younger sister, ballerina Marjorie Tallchief.


Watch Maria Tallchief perform as the Swan Queen in the video below, which was originally telecast in 1954.


Learn more about Tallchief from our January 2022 Word Search, which is free to download.


1954 NEWSWEEK COVER IMAGE FROM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS • TAGS: COMMUNITY, HISTORY

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White text says "Whale Rider: 20th Anniversary. Our latest Word Search centers this moving intergenerational story of family, community, and acceptance. Released in 2002, the film is adapted from the novel Whale Rider by Māori author Witi Ihimaera. Read our movie synopsis and see the original trailer!" Text on a darkened color film still featuring the young girl Paikea in Maori regalia speaking at a school cultural event.
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