City of Chicago

Incorporated 4th March 1837

[Emblem]

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF CHICAGO

Richard M. Daley

MAYOR

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Maria Tallchief is recognized throughout the world as one of the first and greatest American-trained ballet dancers of international importance; and

WHEREAS, Maria Tallchief is one of the greatest Native American dancers of all times, the daughter of an Osage Indian born in Fairfax, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Maria Tallchief founded the Chicago City Ballet in 1980 and served as its director until 1987; and

WHEREAS, Maria Tallchief was one of Robert Joffrey’s most revered ballerinas, a source of ongoing inspiration and a tribute to the American Art of Dance; and

WHEREAS, Maria Tallchief created roles in many ballets, including Balanchine’s THE FIREBIRD, ORPHEUS and SCOTCH SYMPHONY; and

WHEREAS, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago is performing its tribute to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Native Americans, Peter Pucci’s MOON OF THE FALLING LEAVES with specially commissioned score by Brent Michael Davids, a composer of Mohican descent, which incorporates Native American instruments and includes a traditional Mohican children’s story read by the composer in Mohican:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD M. DALEY, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim March 12, 1998, to be Maria Tallchief DAY IN CHICAGO, in recognition of all her contributions to the world of dance and to the cultural life of the city of Chicago.

Dated this 27th day of February, 1998.

Richard M Daley [Signature]

Mayor