Morgan R. Lewis
@morganrlewis.bsky.social
I'm an 80s kid, an Osage, a left-winger, a dog lover, a senior programmer, recently an educational assistant, an amateur baker, reader of fantasy and sci-fi, movie addict (mostly older releases), and sundry other things. I live in Eugene, Oregon. He/him.
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
#NAHM
(Been forgetting my tags. This is what comes from not planning things out in advance.)
#NAHM
(Been forgetting my tags. This is what comes from not planning things out in advance.)
November 9, 2025 at 10:12 PM
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
#NAHM
(Been forgetting my tags. This is what comes from not planning things out in advance.)
#NAHM
(Been forgetting my tags. This is what comes from not planning things out in advance.)
They've also been the subject of a ballet themselves. With music by Quapaw-Cherokee composer Louis Ballard, "The Four Moons" features a solo for each dancer's tribal heritage (as sisters, the Tallchiefs' Osage heritage is given one solo.) It debuted at the 1967 Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
They've also been the subject of a ballet themselves. With music by Quapaw-Cherokee composer Louis Ballard, "The Four Moons" features a solo for each dancer's tribal heritage (as sisters, the Tallchiefs' Osage heritage is given one solo.) It debuted at the 1967 Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival.
The Five Moons, individually and collectively, have a legacy of honors for inspiring people through their art. The Tulsa Historical Society has a set of five sculptures to honor the women, and a mural by Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen hangs in the Oklahoma State Capital rotunda dedicated to them.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The Five Moons, individually and collectively, have a legacy of honors for inspiring people through their art. The Tulsa Historical Society has a set of five sculptures to honor the women, and a mural by Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen hangs in the Oklahoma State Capital rotunda dedicated to them.
Chouteau and Terekhov also established the dance department at the University of Oklahoma; it was the first fully-accredited dance department in the United States.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Chouteau and Terekhov also established the dance department at the University of Oklahoma; it was the first fully-accredited dance department in the United States.
Some of her acclaimed performances include roles in "Giselle", "Romeo & Juliet", "Gaite Parisienne", and "Coppelia", where she had her first solo performance in 1945 as Prayer.
Chouteau co-founded the Oklahoma City Ballet in 1963 with her husband Miguel Terekhov; it is still active today.
Chouteau co-founded the Oklahoma City Ballet in 1963 with her husband Miguel Terekhov; it is still active today.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Some of her acclaimed performances include roles in "Giselle", "Romeo & Juliet", "Gaite Parisienne", and "Coppelia", where she had her first solo performance in 1945 as Prayer.
Chouteau co-founded the Oklahoma City Ballet in 1963 with her husband Miguel Terekhov; it is still active today.
Chouteau co-founded the Oklahoma City Ballet in 1963 with her husband Miguel Terekhov; it is still active today.
Yvonne Chouteau, of the Shawnee Tribe, was the youngest dancer to be accepted into the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at age 14. It would take only 4 more years for her fame in her roles to lead to her being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, also as the youngest person to do so.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Yvonne Chouteau, of the Shawnee Tribe, was the youngest dancer to be accepted into the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at age 14. It would take only 4 more years for her fame in her roles to lead to her being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, also as the youngest person to do so.
Larkin, however, may be best known as a dance director and an educator in the field. After the birth of her son, she retired from performance and co-founded the Tulsa Ballet and its associated school; the ballet company still operates today. She also taught at public schools and Tulsa University.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Larkin, however, may be best known as a dance director and an educator in the field. After the birth of her son, she retired from performance and co-founded the Tulsa Ballet and its associated school; the ballet company still operates today. She also taught at public schools and Tulsa University.
Moscelyne Larkin, of the Eastern Shawnee and Peoria nations, joined the Original Ballet Russe in 1941 at age 15, one of the youngest dancers to do so. She would later join the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, where she would have numerous lead roles, and was often featured at Radio City Music Hall.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Moscelyne Larkin, of the Eastern Shawnee and Peoria nations, joined the Original Ballet Russe in 1941 at age 15, one of the youngest dancers to do so. She would later join the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, where she would have numerous lead roles, and was often featured at Radio City Music Hall.
When the de Cuevas ballet disbanded after 14 years, Hightower opened the École supérieure de danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower in 1962. The school became one of the leading ballet schools in Europe.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
When the de Cuevas ballet disbanded after 14 years, Hightower opened the École supérieure de danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower in 1962. The school became one of the leading ballet schools in Europe.
Rosella Hightower, of the Choctaw Nation, had her breakout role as a last-minute replacement for the title role in "Giselle" in 1947. Followed by the lead role in "Swan Lake" a few days later, she was catapulted to stardom and joined the de Cuevas ballet dance troupe.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Rosella Hightower, of the Choctaw Nation, had her breakout role as a last-minute replacement for the title role in "Giselle" in 1947. Followed by the lead role in "Swan Lake" a few days later, she was catapulted to stardom and joined the de Cuevas ballet dance troupe.
Marjorie Tallchief also served as director for several ballet companies, including Dallas, the Chicago Ballet School, and the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton. The two Tallchiefs together founded and directed the Chicago City Ballet during the seven years of its existence.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Marjorie Tallchief also served as director for several ballet companies, including Dallas, the Chicago Ballet School, and the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton. The two Tallchiefs together founded and directed the Chicago City Ballet during the seven years of its existence.
Marjorie Tallchief, younger sister of Maria by one year, was the first Native American to hold the title of "première danseuse étoile" (first star dancer) at the Paris Opera Ballet. Her roles included "Annabel Lee", "Romeo & Juliet", and "Giselle", and she often performed in front of dignitaries.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Marjorie Tallchief, younger sister of Maria by one year, was the first Native American to hold the title of "première danseuse étoile" (first star dancer) at the Paris Opera Ballet. Her roles included "Annabel Lee", "Romeo & Juliet", and "Giselle", and she often performed in front of dignitaries.
For her achievements, the Osage Nation bestowed Maria Tallchief with the name, 𐓏𐒰𐓐𐒿𐒷-𐓍𐓂͘𐓄𐒰, Wa-xthe-thomba, "Woman of Two Standards"; standards in this instance referring to her ability to remain true to two worlds, traditional Osage culture and the European art of ballet.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
For her achievements, the Osage Nation bestowed Maria Tallchief with the name, 𐓏𐒰𐓐𐒿𐒷-𐓍𐓂͘𐓄𐒰, Wa-xthe-thomba, "Woman of Two Standards"; standards in this instance referring to her ability to remain true to two worlds, traditional Osage culture and the European art of ballet.
Maria Tallchief was also credited with popularizing "The Nutcracker" as a Christmas classic in her performance in George Balanchine's version of the ballet. She also had acclaimed roles in "Swan Lake", "Orpheus" and many more, and was acclaimed ballet artist Rudolf Nureyev's partner in his US debut.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Maria Tallchief was also credited with popularizing "The Nutcracker" as a Christmas classic in her performance in George Balanchine's version of the ballet. She also had acclaimed roles in "Swan Lake", "Orpheus" and many more, and was acclaimed ballet artist Rudolf Nureyev's partner in his US debut.
Maria Tallchief was not just the first Native American to hold the title of prima ballerina, she was the first American period to do so, earning the title with her performance in "Firebird"; the ballet would be associated with her for life, as she was known as "Oklahoma's Firebird" thereafter.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Maria Tallchief was not just the first Native American to hold the title of prima ballerina, she was the first American period to do so, earning the title with her performance in "Firebird"; the ballet would be associated with her for life, as she was known as "Oklahoma's Firebird" thereafter.
Maria and Marjorie Tallchief of the Osage Nation studied ballet from an early age; their family were among the Osage who had significant oil wealth. Maria, who was born Betty Marie, changed her first name slightly to conform to the ballet company's wishes, while refusing to change her surname.
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Maria and Marjorie Tallchief of the Osage Nation studied ballet from an early age; their family were among the Osage who had significant oil wealth. Maria, who was born Betty Marie, changed her first name slightly to conform to the ballet company's wishes, while refusing to change her surname.
Deb Haaland is currently campaigning for the role of governor of New Mexico, with the position being up for election in 2026.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Deb Haaland is currently campaigning for the role of governor of New Mexico, with the position being up for election in 2026.
She also approved a new Cherokee Nation constitution with protections for Cherokee Freedmen, dedicated funds to bison conservation, participated in designating new national monuments, and directed a task force to find new names for monuments using anti-Indigenous names.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
She also approved a new Cherokee Nation constitution with protections for Cherokee Freedmen, dedicated funds to bison conservation, participated in designating new national monuments, and directed a task force to find new names for monuments using anti-Indigenous names.
Haaland's time as Secretary of the Interior included several efforts to improve longstanding issues for Native Americans. She created a unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs for investigating Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and an initiative to investigate residential boarding schools.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Haaland's time as Secretary of the Interior included several efforts to improve longstanding issues for Native Americans. She created a unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs for investigating Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and an initiative to investigate residential boarding schools.
Incoming President Joe Biden nominated Deb Haaland for the position of Secretary of the Interior; on March 15, 2021, she was confirmed in a Senate vote of 51 to 40. Haaland was the first Native American to serve as a Department Secretary (and second Native cabinet member, after VP Charles Curtis).
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Incoming President Joe Biden nominated Deb Haaland for the position of Secretary of the Interior; on March 15, 2021, she was confirmed in a Senate vote of 51 to 40. Haaland was the first Native American to serve as a Department Secretary (and second Native cabinet member, after VP Charles Curtis).
During the 116th Congress, Haaland co-sponsored more bills than any other freshman member of Congress, and served on the Committees for Armed Services, Natural Resources, and Oversight & Reform. She was re-elected in 2020, but had little time to serve in her second term; another position came up.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
During the 116th Congress, Haaland co-sponsored more bills than any other freshman member of Congress, and served on the Committees for Armed Services, Natural Resources, and Oversight & Reform. She was re-elected in 2020, but had little time to serve in her second term; another position came up.
After a failed run for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico, Haaland served a two-year term as chair of the Democratic Party in New Mexico, helping to rebuild the party in the state. She then ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the 2018 election for New Mexico's 1st district.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
After a failed run for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico, Haaland served a two-year term as chair of the Democratic Party in New Mexico, helping to rebuild the party in the state. She then ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the 2018 election for New Mexico's 1st district.
She served as chairwoman of the board of the Laguna Development Corporation, which serves to strengthen the Laguna Pueblo community's economy, and served as vote director for Native Americans in New Mexico for Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
She served as chairwoman of the board of the Laguna Development Corporation, which serves to strengthen the Laguna Pueblo community's economy, and served as vote director for Native Americans in New Mexico for Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.
Haaland earned her Bachelor's Degree in English in 1994, and entered law school in 2000. She earned her Juris Doctor in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006, but after narrowly failing the bar exam (by 5 points) she decided to go into politics.
November 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Haaland earned her Bachelor's Degree in English in 1994, and entered law school in 2000. She earned her Juris Doctor in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006, but after narrowly failing the bar exam (by 5 points) she decided to go into politics.