Star Native American Ballerina Statue Stolen and Sold as Scrap


At the end of a series of statues in Arrow, Tulsa, Marjorie Tallchief, a famous Native American ballerina, has been standing in a bronze, en pointe tutu since 2007.

But the museum’s executive director, Michelle Place, said Friday that her statue on the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum grounds was cut from its base, dismembered and sold for cash.

“It’s just a punch,” said Mrs. Place.

Ms. Place said Monday that workers at a local recycling center found fragments of Ms. Tallchief’s statue, including parts of the torso, tutu and legs. They called the police.

Tulsa Police Department said in a statement. expression He said he was investigating the theft but did not immediately respond to emails or phone calls on Monday.

Credit…Tulsa Historical Society and Museum

Miss Place said that when five statues were installed in 2007, including that of Miss Tallchief, their total value was $120,000. Someone sold pieces of Miss Tallchief’s statue at a recycling center for $266, which paid for the bronze pieces per pound.

However, Ms. Place said museum staff believe two people may have stolen the statue and taken the pieces to two different recycling centers. The head and arms of the statue were not found.

“I’m guessing they had no idea about the significance of these bronze statues,” he said.

Miss Tallchief was a lithe and versatile dancer and an international star who had worked for major French and American companies.

French critic Irène Lidova Told Miss Tallchief As a bright and dynamic artist in 1950. “Through her semi-acrobatic prowess she embodies the perfect dancer for our time,” wrote Ms. Lidova.

Ms. Tallchief grew up on the Osage Nation reservation in the Oklahoma oil family and died in November 2021 at the age of 95.

He and his sister Maria TallchiefShe was part of a group known as the Five Moons, Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma who rose to the top of ballet in the 20th century when many famous ballerinas were white.

They and three others – Yvonne Chouteau, Rosella Hightower and Moscelyne Larkin – are commemorated in rows of statues outside the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.

Ms Place said it’s not clear why the statue of Miss Tallchief was chosen, but it may have been because it was at the end of the row and near a tree that could hide it from view.

Alexander Skibine, one of Ms. Tallchief’s two sons, said she didn’t believe it when she heard that her mother’s statue had been stolen.

“Why would anyone do that?” He said Monday night.

The Tulsa Police Department had not released the names of any suspects as of Monday night, but speaking to police, Ms. Place said the department was following “really good leads”.

The museum plans to reconstruct Miss Tallchief’s statue. Ms. Place said the statue’s maker, Gary Henson, told her she would “bring it back to life”.

Ms. Place said the museum is trying to raise $10,000 to cover the statue’s deductible, and $5,000 to install security cameras near the Five Moons.

In a statement Monday night, Tulsa mayor GT Bynum said the statues were “a source of pride” celebrating the city’s Native American heritage.

“It’s a shame that someone stole one and destroyed it to sell it as scrap metal,” he wrote.



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