Te Ata Thompson Fisher was born Dec. 3, 1895, near Emet, Oklahoma, and was known as “Bearer of the Morning”. She was a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and an accomplished actress and storyteller. She received her early education in Tishomingo before attending Oklahoma College for Women. Te Ata demonstrated a natural talent for drama at her debut.
Te Ata’s acting and storytelling careers spanned more than 60 years. She worked as a storyteller to fund her acting career. Her performances included telling Chickasaw legends, myths, and chants and wearing native regalia. For one year, Te Ata studied at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After moving to New York City, she met and married Clyde Fisher. She performed at summer camps in New York and New England during the 1930s.
At the height of her career, she performed in England and Scandinavia, at the White House for President Franklin Roosevelt, King and Queen of Great Britain, and on stages throughout the United States. Even though Te Ata worked as an actress and drama instructor, she is best known for her artistic interpretation of Indian folklore. She is also best known for the children’s book she co-authored on the subject. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1957. She was named The Ladies’ Home Journal Woman of the Year in 1976 Oklahoma’s Official State Treasure in 1987. A lake near Bear Mountain in New York was named in her honor.
Te Ata died Oct. 26, 1995, in Oklahoma City. Her legacy and influence on Native American storytelling traditions continue to this day.
