nPostednDecember 3, 2013
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Fornmore than 70 years, Te Ata Fisher brought to life the stories andnfolklore of indigenous peoples to audiences in the U.S. and Europe.
Fornmore than 70 years, Te Ata Fisher brought to life the stories andnfolklore of indigenous peoples to audiences in the U.S. and Europe. n
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nMorenthan 70 years! No wonder Te Ata was named Oklahoma’s first “OfficialnState Treasure” – and no wonder she was inducted into Oklahoma’s Hallnof Fame!
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nTenAta was born on this date in 1895 in the Chickasaw Nation (in whatnwas then called “Indian Territory”). She was born Mary Thompson,na very boring non-Chickasaw-sounding name, huh? “Fisher” is hernmarried surname, and “Te Ata,” which means “Bringer of thenDawn” (or Morning), is the native name she adopted.
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TenAta began to develop her talent for acting in college, and she becamena professional actress, performing on Broadway and other places. As you can imagine, she faced difficulties because she was a woman and because she was Chickasaw – and most especially because she was a Chickasaw woman! However, she took what made success difficult – what seemed to be a liability – and turned it into an asset! She began to perform one-person shows in whichnshe shared native legends, myths, chants, and rituals. She worenauthentic traditional costumes, and she used tribalndrums and rattles, music and dance. Te Ata also wrote some of thisnfolklore in books for children.
TenAta began to develop her talent for acting in college, and she becamena professional actress, performing on Broadway and other places. As you can imagine, she faced difficulties because she was a woman and because she was Chickasaw – and most especially because she was a Chickasaw woman! However, she took what made success difficult – what seemed to be a liability – and turned it into an asset! She began to perform one-person shows in whichnshe shared native legends, myths, chants, and rituals. She worenauthentic traditional costumes, and she used tribalndrums and rattles, music and dance. Te Ata also wrote some of thisnfolklore in books for children.n
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nAnd her shows were a hit! Te Ata performed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt andnthe King and Queen of Great Britain; she performed in England andnScandinavia as well as all across America; she taught about a variety of indigenous peoples while entertaining her audiences.
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nTenAta died just a few days before her 100th birthday. Shenreceived many awards and honors while she was alive and has earnednmany more since her death in 1995.
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nWatchnthese cool videos about Te Ata.
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nDon’tnmiss this one!
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nAlsonon this date:
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Anniversary of the first close-ups of Jupiter
Anniversary of the first close-ups of Jupiter n
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nPainternGilbert Stuart’s birthday
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Anniversarynof the demonstration of neon lights
Anniversarynof the demonstration of neon lightsn
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nScientistnand doctor Carlos Juan Finlay’s birthday
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest pages on:
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nDecembern holidays
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nDecembern birthdays
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- Historicaln anniversaries in December
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nJanuaryn holidays
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nJanuaryn birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in January
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