Barbie honors prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief

OKLAHOMA (KFOR) —Barbie celebrates women with different careers and backgrounds. Her latest adventure is honoring Oklahoma's own, Maria Tallchief.

Tallchief was the first American prima ballerina. She was born on the Osage Nation Reservation in Fairfax.

After studying ballet from a young age, she danced her way to international fame, while also still embracing her Native American heritage.

For Native American heritage month, the team at Barbie worked with Tallchief's family and the Osage Nation to create a doll celebrating her inspiring story.

The doll is wearing her red tutu inspired by the iconic firebird debut.

Tallchief also has a day named after her. In 1953, the Oklahoma Legislature declared June 29 as Maria Tallchief day.

She retired as a prima ballerina in 1966, later serving as the director of Chicago's Lyric opera ballet and the Chicago City Ballet.

Tallchief passed away in 2013 and now Oklahoma's firebird is being honored through an inspiring doll.

The Osage Nation is having a big celebration Monday morning to celebrate the launch of the doll. It's at 10am at the Constantine Theater in Pawhuska.