h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Maria Tallchief died this week. She was 88 years old. She was one of the top ballerina's America had. Her father was a chief of the Osage Indians in Oklahoma, who lucked up when oil was found on his farm. Since Maria and her sister showed early dancing talent--the family moved to Los Angeles.

Here is a link to Open Culture with videos showing her role in 'Firebird' by Igor Stravinsky and her dancing with Rudolph Nureyev four years before she retired.

http://www.openculture.com/2013/04/remembering_maria_tallchief_americas_great_prima_ballerina.html

She was very fond of her father and proud of her Native American heritage so despite all pressure to Russianize her name for professional reasons, she refused.

I am imagining her as 'Marya Tallchieva'. Nope.