Maria Tallchief was an American ballerina who was the first Native American to become a prima ballerina. She was born in 1925 in Oklahoma and began her ballet training at the age of three. She went on to become one of the most celebrated ballerinas of the 20th century, performing with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the New York City Ballet. She was known as the 'Tallchief of Ballet' for her grace and technical skill.