Te-Ata

A traditional Native Storyteller, TeAta, also known as Mary Frances Thompson Fisher, was born in Emet (Post Oak), Chickasaw Nation, near Tishomingo, on December 3, 1895. Her parents were members of the Chickasaw Nation. Her father, Thomas B Thompson, was the last Treasurer of the old Chickasaw Nation. He owned several stores through out the old Chickasaw Nation. TeAta's uncle,was Douglas H. Johnston. Governor of the old Chickasaw Nation.

She attended Bloomfield Academy and later attended high school in Tishomingo, encountering "white" children for the first time. Then attended Oklahoma College for Women now the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, in Chickasha. She also attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for one year.

Many of her performances in the 1930’s were at summer camps throughout New England and New York State. In 1933 TeAta performed for the first state dinner given by Pres. Franklin Roosevelt. In 1939 she performed again for the Roosevelt’s at their home in Hyde Park, New York, on the occasion of a state visit by the king and queen of Great Britain. Later, TeAta toured Europe, giving performances for royal families and heads of state.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, together with the Chickasaw Nation and Judy Lee Oliva, Chickasaw Playwright, created a play based on the life of Chickasaw storyteller Mary Thompson “TeAta” Fisher.

Her Chickasaw name TeAta means "Bearer of the Morning." "She was a cultural icon for Chickasaw Nation and other Native American cultures. During her career she shined a light on Native American culture throughout the United States and basically the world. She was an Oklahoma treasure and a Chickasaw treasure" said Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby.

TeAta, achieved national and international acclaim as a traditional native storyteller. In 1958 she was recognized by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 1976 she received the Governor's Award of Oklahoma, and was named "Woman of the Year" by the Ladies Home Journal. In 1987 she became the first person to be declared "An Oklahoma Treasure" by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon

             (update)TeAta Filming COMPLETED 10-10-14  

              family Only viewing Dec 2015

• A movie of Te Ata's life is being created and you can find more information at this site: https://www.facebook.com/TeAtaMovie/videos?fref=photo
• https://www.chickasaw.tv/historic-figures/video/te-ata-a-judylee-ol...

___________________________________

https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=TE001

___________________
Mary "Te Ata" Thompson Fisher
1895 - 1995
Te Ata Thompson Fisher, whose name means “Bearer of the Morning,” was born Dec. 3, 1895, near Emet, Oklahoma. A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Te Ata was an accomplished actor and teller of Native American stories.
She received her early education in Tishomingo, and eventually went to the Oklahoma College for Women. While there, it was evident Te Ata had a natural talent for drama.
Her career as an actor and storyteller spanned more than 60 years. She worked as a storyteller to finance her acting career. She would tell Chickasaw legends, myths and chants, including performing rituals in native regalia.
Te Ata attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for one year. From there, she moved to New York City, where she met and married Clyde Fisher. During the 1930s she performed at summer camps in New York and New England.
In the prime of her career, she performed in England and Scandinavia, at the White House for President Franklin Roosevelt, for the King and Queen of Great Britain, and on stages across the United States.
Although Te Ata worked as an actor and drama instructor, she is best known for her artistic interpretations of Indian folklore, and for her children's book she co-authored on the subject.
Her world-renown talent has won her several honors including induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1957, being named The Ladies’ Home Journal Woman of the Year in 1976, being named Oklahoma's Official State Treasure in 1987, and having a lake near Bear Mountain in New York named in her honor.
She is also the subject of a video, God's Drum, the proceeds of which have supported the Te Ata Scholarship Fund for Indian students at her alma mater, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Te Ata died Oct. 26, 1995, in Oklahoma City, though her legacy and influence on the Native American storytelling traditions continues to this day.