Native Americans

The Firebird: Maria Tallchief, America's First Prima Ballerina

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Maria Tallchief was the first American prima ballerina and the first Native American or Indigenous prima ballerina! What does it mean to be a prima ballerina? Maria Tallchief was the best dancer, and brought great fame to herself and her ballet company. Since "prima" is an Italian word that means "first," Maria performed all the lead roles in the ballets.