In 1987, Te Ata (1895-1995) became the first person ever declared an "Oklahoma Treasure."Throughout a 60-year career, her performances of American Indian folklore enchanted a wide variety of audiences, from European royalty to Americans of all ages, as well as Indians across the American continents from Canada to Peru.

Richard Green sets the inspiring story of Te Ata against the historical, political, economic and social upheavals of the Dawes Act, the federal government's allotment program designed to abolish tribal governments and assimilate the Chickasaw and other Indian tribes into the American mainstream.  Although Te Ata grew up in Tishomingo and at Bloomfield, a tribal boarding school, rather than on a reservation, she was raised on her father's Chickasaw stories.  In time, Te Ata recognized the wit and wisdom of those stories and found she had a special talent for collecting and adapting them and other American Indian folktales into dramatic performances.

Green's research is extensive, drawing on his position as tribal historian for the Chickasaw Nation and the support of Te Ata's family to access Te Ata's personal papers, memoribilia and the letters and photographs exchanged between Te Ata and her husband, Clyde Fisher. (excerpt from inside cover of Te Ata Chickasaw Storyteller American Treasure)

"Te Ata was a true national treasure of the Chickasaw Nation. She taught us to show respect for others as she taught the world about Chickasaws.  Her touch shall be forever engraved in our hearts."

Bill Anoatubby, Governor
Chickasaw Nation

"Masterfully researched by Richard Green, Te Ata's story engages the reader in the complexity of acculturation and the talent and ambition that enable her to bridge two worlds with Indian lore that reached into the White House and across the ocean."

Betty Price
Executive Director,
Oklahoma Arts Council