REMEMBERING SHAWNEE LUMINARIES AT THE 2024 FIVE MOONS DANCE FESTIVAL

By: Maggie Boyett, Shawnee Communications Officer

Over two days in late August, the tribe and the OU School of Dance produced the Five Moons Dance Festival, a remarkable celebration of Shawnee heritage and the timeless legacy of five Oklahoma Indian ballerinas—Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee), Rosella Hightower (Choctaw), Moscelyne Larkin (Eastern Shawnee & Peoria), and Osage sisters Marjorie and Maria Tallchief.

Named after these iconic figures who revolutionized the dance and theatre world in the 20th century, the festival began in 2021 with a mission to uplift these women’s stories. This year’s event coincided with the 100th anniversary of OU’s College of Fine Arts and was thus dedicated to honoring the achievements of Yvonne Chouteau, a trailblazing Shawnee ballerina and dance educator who co-founded the OU School of Dance and Oklahoma City Ballet alongside her husband, Miguel Terekhov, a Charrúa descendant from Uruguay.

Initial conversations with OU took place in mid-2023, and tribal leadership considered it crucial that Yvonne’s immediate family be engaged in the festival plans so that the event stayed true to their wishes while celebrating their matriarch’s rich legacy. After multiple discussions between the tribe, OU, and Yvonne’s daughters, Christy Conway Terekhov and Liz Impallomeni Terekhov, several events at multiple venues were planned for August 24 & 25, the first weekend of OU’s fall semester.

One of the major highlights was a Native art market showcasing artists from the Five Moons’ tribal nations. Additionally, panel discussions were held, where Yvonne’s daughters shared their memories and personal stories while Chickasaw composer Jerod Tate, who studied under Quapaw composer Louis Ballard, spoke about Ballard’s profound influence and musical genius. Ballard, notably, composed the score for The Four Moons, a 1967 ballet production inspired by the lives of the ballerinas. This production gave rise to the group’s moniker, the Five Moons. A third discussion featured four of the Five Moons tribal chiefs, including Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe. Their presence underscored the lasting importance of the Five Moons’ legacies, both for the world of ballet and for their tribal communities.

Another pivotal event was a memorial stomp dance at the First Americans Museum (FAM) in Oklahoma City. This dance was organized to honor not only Yvonne Chouteau and the Five Moons but also our late tribal Chairman, James R. Squirrel, and Troy Little Axe, Sr. (Absentee Shawnee). James and Troy were longtime coordinators of OU’s annual student stomp dance and were steadfastly committed to creating spaces for young Native students to connect and practice their cultural ways with each other. The event drew and significant turnout, and their contributions to their communities were remembered with gratitude. The dance was the first of its kind held at the museum, and there is hope that this partnership with FAM will continue with similar cultural gatherings in the future.

The second day of the festival continued with the spirit of honoring Yvonne, James, and Troy. During the festival ballet performance, dancers from OU, Oklahoma City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre presented some of Yvonne’s most beloved roles, including her variation from The Four Moons. Elisa Harkins (Cherokee/Muscogee) presented excerpts from her evening-length work Radio III. A particularly emotional finale piece brought Shawnee singers & dancers together on stage with students from the schools of dance founded by Yvonne and Miguel. The magnitude of the event, showcasing unity and pride in Yvonne’s legacy, sealed the festival’s vision and capped off months of tireless work, bringing this exciting celebration to life.

Yvonne Chouteau’s legacy exemplifies the international respect and recognition that Shawnee people have garnered, and the 2024 Five Moons Dance Festival highlighted the importance of boosting visibility for our peoples’ contributions to the arts, education, and community. As the curtain closed on the event, attendees were reminded of the indelible gifts Yvonne and the Five Moons gave their audiences and students that will continue to inspire future generations.

View Program Booklet – 2024 Five Moons Dance Festival

Back

More News

Jul 3, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: POP QUIZ!

Take the true or false pop quiz on recycling vs. landfills. True or False: 6 out of every 10 people in the US recycle? True or False: More people are employed by the landfill process than the recycling process? True or False: Recycling in the U.S. is a valuable export? True or False: Recycling can […]

Read More
Jun 4, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: GLASS

Source:  www.recycleacrossamerica.org  Read about the recycling trailer available for citizen use.

Read More
May 30, 2025

CHIEF BEN BARNES AND UINO RELEASE STATEMENT ON HB 1137

“This override tells Native families that their lives matter, their grief has been felt, and that Oklahoma is committed to justice for them and their loved ones,” said Ben Barnes, Chairperson for United Indian Nations of Oklahoma and Board President of National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. “Many hands helped lift this veto override over the finish […]

Read More
May 22, 2025

CONGRATULATIONS, SHAWNEE GRADUATES!

We are looking forward to celebrating the following grads at the 2025 Honor Banquet on Saturday, June 7. Rylee Adams, Afton Public High School Ava Adkinson, Miami Public Schools Averi Anderson, Fairland High School Averi Attocknie, Quapaw High School LaCinda Attocknie, Haskell Indian Nations University Landon Bedell, Minot High School Kelsie Boyd, Fairland High School […]

Read More
May 1, 2025

COBELL SETTLEMENT TRUST - FINAL DEADLINE FOR HEIRS IS JUNE 30

Indian Money (IIM) account holders whose Cobell settlement awards were not distributed must file claim documentation by June 30, 2025. Search the list of IIM account holders and learn more information at cobellsettlement.com.

Read More
May 1, 2025

BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BRINGS AWARENESS TO SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

Social and emotional well-being is the ability to understand and manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. It’s an important part of developing healthy identities and achieving goals.  Tips to improve social and emotional well-being: This message brought to you by the Shawnee Tribe Behavioral Health Department.

Read More
May 1, 2025

KIWIITAMAAKONAAKI HOKIMAAKI – MESSAGES FROM THE CHIEFS SUMMER 2025

Messages from the Chiefs — Summer 2025: Chief Barnes relays a story about a special corn variety and operational growth, and Chief Baldridge highlights how tribal partnerships are providing stability despite widespread federal government restructuring.

Read More
Apr 16, 2025

SHAWNEE DEVELOPMENT LLC ANNOUNCES CREATION OF SHAWNEE GLOBAL LLC TO EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITES

Tyler Levier Tapped for CEO Role MIAMI, OK — Shawnee Development LLC, the enterprise division of the Shawnee Tribe, is proud to announce the formation of Shawnee Global LLC, a tribally owned holding company designed to lead the tribe’s entry into the federal contracting space through the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Program. Shawnee Global will operate alongside Shawnee Development, […]

Read More
See All News