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Te Ata Thompson Fisher, whose name means "Bearer of the Morning," according to family accounts, was born Dec. 3,1895, near current-day Emet, Oklahoma. A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Te Ata was an accomplished storyteller and actress. She received her early education at Chickasaw Nation schools near Tishomingo and attended the Oklahoma College for Women. While there, she discovered her love for performance. Her career as an actress and storyteller spanned more than 60 years. She told Chickasaw and other First American oral traditions. After attending the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for one year she moved to New York City. In the prime of her career, she performed in England and Scandinavia, at the White House for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for the King and Queen of Great Britain, and on stages across the United States. During her life, she also co-authored several First American-themed children's books. Te Ata died on October26, 1995. Her legacy and influence on the First American storytelling traditions continue to this day.

Image courtesy the Chickasaw Nation Collection

1919 Class Ring
Oklahoma College for Women
2014.012.0002

Te Ata began her career in performance as a student at the Oklahoma College for Women. Starring in several theater productions, Te Ata formed a close bond with Professor Frances Dinsmore Davis. Davis recognized Te Ata's talent and encouraged her interest in the arts and heritage preservation. At one of the performances where Te Ata was introduced to American composer Thurlow Lieurance, who invited her to join the Chautauqua circuit. Thus began her lifelong career in theater and traditional storytelling.

Artifact courtesy the Chickasaw Nation Collection 

Oklahoma College for Women "As You Like It" play program featuring Te Ata (Mary Thompson). May 4, 1922. 

Artifact courtesy Te Ata Collection, Nash Library, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Drawstring Bag
Seminole Artist unknown
Cotton fabric patchwork; woven palmetto fiber
2014.012.0027

Te Ata made connections with First American communities across North America, often traveling to meet with traditional storytellers or fellow performers while performing in nearby cities. She collected stories to be retold to her audiences and textiles representing the communities; often wearing the regalia of other tribes to represent their oral stories and traditions. Te Ata developed a reputation for her elaborate performances and extensive repertoire of First American music, dances and cultural information.

Artifact courtesy the Chickasaw Nation Collection

Beaded Moccasins
Lenape Artist unknown
Glass beads, brain tan hide, and cotton thread
2014.012.0031 a-b

During the 1930s, Te Ata performed throughout New England and upstate New York including at the private home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park during a visit by King George VI. In 1933, Te Ata married Clyde Fisher - a well-known naturalist and scientist employed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Two years later in 1935, he was named the inaugural curator of astronomy of the Hayden Planetarium.

His work took the couple all over the world and Clyde often brought First American oral stories into his programming at the planetarium. In addition to making connections with First Americans across the world, Te Ata built relationships with people indigenous to the place now known as New York. The moccasins are an example of the material culture of Lenape people, who were also removed to Indian Territory during the 19th century like the Chickasaw.

Artifact courtesy the Chickasaw Nation Collection