November: Celebrating Native American Dance Heritage
Honoring the lives and careers of Native American dancers this month.
Maria Tallchief (1925-2013)
Marjorie Tallchief (1926-2021)
Moscelyne Larkin (1925-2012)
Myra Choteau (1929-2016)
Rosella Hightower (1920-2008)
Five internationally-recognized Native American ballet dancers, known collectively as the Five Moons, are honored for their artistry and contributions to the dance form in the 20th century. They include Maria Tallchief, born January 24, member of the Osage Nation, who was the New York City Ballet's first star. George Balanchine (1904-1983), her husband at the time, created his own version of The Firebird for her in 1949 and she danced the first Sugar Plum Fairy role in an obscure little ballet called The Nutcracker revived by Balanchine in 1954, popularizing it as the premier seasonal ballet. Her sister Marjorie Tallchief, born October 19, performed with the Paris Opera Ballet and married fellow dancer and choreographer George Skibine (1920-1981). Moscelyne Larkin, born January 14, of the Eastern Shawnee-Peoria Indian tribes, danced with both of the later Ballet Russe companies and founded the Tulsa Ballet in 1956. Myra Chouteau, born March 7, of the Shawnee tribe, danced with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo and founded the dance program at the University of Oklahoma in 1962. Rosella Hightower, born January 10, of the Choctaw Nation, also danced with the Monte Carlo group and founded the Rosella Hightower International Dance Center in 1961.
The Five Moons
Notorious Cree ( born November 9, circa 1985)
Like many working artists in 2020, hoop dancer Notorious Cree, born James Jones on November 9, circa 1985, turned to social media to continue performing and reaching audiences during the pandemic. He is now one of the most-followed Native American dancers on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and uses his platform to entertain and also educate folks about Native American dance. He has performed at the Olympics and Coachella as well as at many powwow gatherings.
Notorious Cree
Acosia Red Elk
Born in 1980, Acosia Red Elk, member of the Umatilla people of Oregon and jingle dress dancer, didn’t begin dancing until the age of 16 and was largely self-taught. She started competing professionally only two years later, winning multiple world championships at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque over the following two decades and appeared in several music videos. She began combining yoga training with her dance practice in 2014 and created powwow yoga to encourage her students to embrace strength, cultural pride, and healing.
Acosia Red Elk
Raoul Trujillo (born May 8, 1955)
Dancer Raoul Trujillo began studying dance in college and in 1978 decided to pursue a career in dance. He performed with postmodern choreographer Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993) from 1980-1987 and left the company to co-found the American Indian Dance Theatre that same year. The company promoted Native American dance, songs, and culture and was in operation until around 2004. Trujillo began appearing in movies in 1991 and hosted the Dancing series in 1993. Since that time, Trujillo has continued to appear in movies including The New World (2005) and Apocalypto (2006) and in TV series including Trueblood, Jamestown, and Mayans M.C.
