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