My name is Teata, the bearer of the morning.
I am Chickasaw and a storyteller, and this is my story.
There are horses of many colors, brown, black, yellow, white, yet they are all one horse.
There are birds of many colors, red, blue, green, yellow, yet they are all one bird.
So with cattle, so with all living things.
So with men in this land, where one was only Indians, are men of every color, yet they are
all one people that this who come to pass was at the heart of the great history.
And I solemnly promise as a duly elected governor of the Chickasaw Nation that each man, woman
and child, will have a homestead of 320 acres.
And ambition of my life to aid and secure the happiness and prosperity of our people, and
to receive the plaudits, congratulations and goodwill of our guardians, the United States
government.
You gene run ahead and get in the wagon situated, okay?
Now Mayor Francis, your daddy and I have a party in honor of your Uncle Doug, but I
want to go.
It's for grown-ups and I know you think you are, but you are not.
Now you go on with your brother and he and Selena in charge.
You hear me?
And you need to be helping your sister put baby gladest down and I don't want you back
talking or running off.
You hear me?
Where?
Mary Francis!
Now I've been meaning to ask, how do you think about treasure, but I don't know anything
about politics.
Exactly.
Honest man.
Whoa, whoa, that's so fast.
Now who's this little whirlwind?
Uncle Doug, Mary Francis, don't be bothering the governor.
No, that's all right.
Uncle Doug, can't you pass a loss when I can come tonight?
Hard to say, notice such a charming constituent, but you should be bored silly in there.
Now let's go find your brother and no more running.
But mono.
It's a special little girl you got there, T.B.
Nah.
What we're doing in this building most of all is protecting their future.
Then you're going to need a good treasure.
Your office is upstairs, it's one with your name on the door.
In the beginning everything was covered with water.
The only living were a few small animals, a float on a raft.
Not knowing what to do, the crayfish volunteered and dove off the raft into the great ocean.
He dried every day to reach the bottom and on the fourth day he did.
He built a great mud chimney that stuck up above the surface of the water.
The mud spread out and created a newly formed earth.
He has found this mud chimney that the chikisaw and the Choctaw people were allowed to come
and live upon the new surface with all the animals.
I'm going to put her down.
I'm going to get dinner boiling.
There's Gladys, she's still sleeping.
Yeah.
You see Mary?
You're not back from school?
No.
What's that Meg's about?
This is Mary's theme page love.
Again, Thomas, you hear that Kathleen outside, we got our own chickens, we got plenty of
eggs.
It's got a new mouth's feet, Birdie, it's tough on her.
How is work?
Cast wrapped.
Store of the nation.
Both.
Johnson wants to start charging ranchers a fee for grazing on our land.
It's about time.
He's going to go to Washington and get our funds released for the schools.
That's good.
Schools only where our kids are going to make something about themselves.
Both of them funds include interest.
Our door nails are coming.
Where were you?
Listening to decor and grow.
Look at you.
You are filthy.
And where are your school books?
I can't run with them books, Mom.
Well, you can't study without them and now you're making me and your daddy late.
Can I come?
No, you're going to your sister's house.
Selena's house is boring.
I want to go with you.
Well, you're too young.
Well, you're too young.
But I'm too hands old.
You're how old?
Two hands?
Thumbs are glued?
Yup.
Okay then.
You get yourself cleaned up.
Okay.
She's ready.
We are all sparks from Abba Benelli.
He scatters us out here and there to make light.
And when we die, he gathers us up.
So last, make one big place to show us the house of Abba Benelli.
No one's allowed between an elder and a fire.
I'm sorry.
Abba Benelli.
What can we do for you, Johnston?
Our funds that you hold and trust, I need them released to the Chickasaw people so we
can invest in education.
Ah, so that's what this is all about, wanting more money from the U.S. government.
I am trying to help my people.
And we are trying to build a nation, which we hope will include your people.
After they assimilate, of course you can't beat them, might as well join them.
Which brings me to another man, the Code of Indian Offensives.
And what of the Indian senator do you find so offensive?
We can't have Americans engaging in unsavory activities that the U.S. deems illegal.
Unsavory activities?
Pagan dances.
Which Dr. Rituals.
No tribal mumbo jumbo.
Come on now, Johnston, don't you want to pull your people up out of the dark ages?
We met one day with proper governor, the Indian acting and looking just like the white man.
One nation under ***, not several nations under numerous gods.
Senator Judd, we have dealt with the white man for over 350 years.
We dress like the white man, attend church.
Educate our children in schools as good, if not better, than any state in the union.
We have done all that the U.S. government has asked of us.
In return, we only ask that our funds be released so we can continue to provide for our people.
We will have a committed look into that matter.
No, yes.
Just as soon as we're back in session.
We are a patient of people.
We will get what is ours, even if it takes a hundred years.
Good day, gentlemen.
My advice to you, governor, join the American spirit of entrepreneurship.
Don't look for handouts.
Now let your people pull themselves up by their bootstraps, and join the future like
the rest of us have.
I assure you, sir, my people do not need lessons in hard work, grit, or making a living off
the land your day.
Well, what about the way we expected?
By all that is sacred, what do they want on us?
Not to exist.
We've got a history of that.
The parade looks like we might have to move out of the capital bill with TV.
I don't know what we're going to do now, but it looks not just us, governor.
A lot of people have been on that life.
We'll figure something out.
My daddy told stories of our Trail of Tears, how in 1837 we arrived in New Lands called
Indian Territory.
It was hard times, but like my daddy says, the Chickasauce will never be conquered.
But to live is to change, and that is what happened in 1906.
We now faced maybe our biggest challenge.
They were breaking up our government for one of their own.
A state called Oklahoma.
When the world was still young, there was about one man upon it, seeing that he was
lonesome, the great spirit sent the sun.
They walked upon the earth and found it good, but it was too cold.
There were no trees and no flowers to make the world beautiful.
One night, the young brave had a dream, and he told his father, it would be through sacrifice
that beauty will walk upon the earth.
"I'll give myself to the great spirit," said the sun, and from his grave sprung the
first pine tree, and from that came all the other beautiful trees.
They really tried to crack down.
Now a senator judge is a committee chairman.
The people are afraid of what they don't know.
"Go on, wash up, you three."
"Yes, momma."
"Wash up now."
"Yes, momma."
"Platters go to the kitchen and get the rolls."
"Yes, momma."
"Come sit down."
"Come sit, if you don't come in here."
"Yes, come sit.
You don't throw it all the way to get called, yes, you know."
"And Lord, we ask for protection and provision over this family and over our people."
Amen.
Amen.
"So, Mary, when do you leave for college?"
"Well, um, still going to Oklahoma College for women over in Chickshay."
"Well, we was concerned about tuition, but she's going on a grant.
Arts free."
"After first, she stick around here, like her older brothers and sisters."
"Nice and normal."
You hear that there was more bodies found from loose tangent?
"Unfortunately, there are still over 1200 passengers on a countered floor."
"Including Charles Froman."
"And for those who hear my soul sobbing in its darkest hour, I leave you the legacy
of my uncharted future, flung far among a field of stars."
"Very, where did you learn that?"
"She learned it from when the Froman fiked them to town.
She can tell the whole thing.
Can't you, Mary?"
"Yep.
Is this what we have in store for after meal entertainment?"
"Unthriftly loveliness, what does thou spend?"
"Upon thy selves, thy..."
"She'll get over it."
"She lends to those who are free."
[Applause]
"Mary?"
"Yeah."
"Take this earbasket on it to the grocery store."
"How come I have to go?"
"Because they got eight mouths to feed in these poor search maps, that's why."
"Well, if they have eight mouths, then it seems to me like they have 16 feet, Mary."
"I'll just drop it in your water."
"No good."
"Now I'm tired of drinking my water and eating my grass."
"Look at me."
"Custini Chos, the last time I'm going to tell you, I know English."
"You know what I'm saying."
"Okay, feet, feet, feet."
"Okay."
"Would you stay off this property?"
"All you'd end in is the same, you'd think this is your land."
"Look at me when I'm talking to you."
"Okay."
"How?"
"Custini Chos, would you stay off this property?"
"Mom, someone's coming!"
"Here!"
"Hey, your mother home?"
"Are you speaking English?"
"Ah, what will that do that will not murder me?"
"Help!"
"Here."
"Till birdie, we appreciate it."
"Mm-hmm."
"Could I offer you some coffee?"
"Oh, thank you, ma'am, I best be on my way."
"You weren't always like this.
Just hard times is all."
"You get better."
"Come on, boys."
"Let's go eat."
"Come on."
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"It's all about you."
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"You weren't always like this."
"Just hard times is all."
"You get better."
"Come on boys."
"Let's go eat."
"Come on."
"Come on."
"Come on."
"Come on boys."
"Let's go eat."
"Come on."
"Come on."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
"Come on boys."
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Are you bleeding, or are you--
[GUNSHOT]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Sheriff, says he was very specific.
So then he's shocked.
Anytime an engineer tangles with a wife, man.
A wife man always wins.
Every time.
She shouldn't have been out there alone, Bertie.
She shouldn't-- she shouldn't be going anywhere alone.
She-- she should stay right here.
I can keep her safe.
I can keep her safe.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Like, you'll see that she gets a taxi cab,
so when she gets the ticket ship.
Yes, sir.
She'll be fine.
First train ride by herself.
I understand.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
(dramatic music)
- Do you look like I'm a college for women?
- So you're going to college, aren't ya?
Don't believe I've ever seen it Indian up at the school before.
You are Indian, aren't ya?
- I didn't have those kind of opportunities when I was your age.
One quarter jock-dock.
Just enough to make it tough in a white man's world.
(dramatic music)
- You and the lady, you make the most of this.
You're doing it for all of us.
(dramatic music)
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Uh, well, welcome.
I'm Carla Bennett, your roommate.
Mary Frances Thompson.
This, these are my friends.
I'm Margaret.
- Hi, I'm Mary, Mary Thompson.
- This is my roommate.
It's so nice to see you, CW accepting all times.
- Yes, we Indians are very grateful.
- Well, I'm sure glad that you're here.
If you need anything at all,
our room's just down the hall on the right.
- Why don't we go see if Wendy came in yet now?
- I'm trying to just get hang around with Mary Thompson.
(dramatic music)
(singing in foreign language)
- Thank you for all your letters, Mama.
With all the exciting things college has to offer,
I can barely find time to reply.
Everybody here is so accepting and welcoming.
I've been learning so much
between my studies,
all my new friends and all the social events.
I barely have any time to myself.
Give daddy my love.
- I'm so glad things have gone good for you, Mary.
Things are great at home, too.
And it's a good Lord's time,
'cause another baby's on its way.
If it's a boy, we're naming him after your father,
Thomas Benjamin Jr.
Don't wear yourself out with parties.
You're there for your education.
Go ahead and have your fun,
but keep them grades up, too.
Love Mama.
(birds chirping)
- You speak sparrow.
- Um, my accent's a little rough.
(laughing)
- And what did our little friend have to say?
- She was wondering why she left the nest.
- Because it's the only way to learn to soar.
I miss names.
- Mary Francis.
- And I'm wondering, Mary,
why you didn't sign up for my class.
What's your fifth period?
- My only free time?
- Was your only free time.
Theater room, tomorrow.
- The theater room?
It's in the basement.
You'll find it.
- And what class is it?
- Expression.
(piano music)
- Good afternoon, girl.
So I take it everyone is working on their monologues
to razzle and dazzle us.
(laughing)
- So how many of you are actually serious
about a career on stage after graduation?
- Ah, well, I feel it is my duty to inform you
that only a small percentage of people
actually make a living performing.
So today, we are going to talk about those who made it.
- Who's your favorite actress?
- Sarah Bernhardt.
- Yes, Sarah Bernhardt has been called
the most famous actress that ever lived.
- Em, I think that's an accurate statement.
But did you also know that she lost a leg mid-career?
And yet she went on to have a brilliant career
without the aid of an artificial limb.
Fate took her leg.
But it didn't take what's inside the passion
and the ability to say something.
That's what will separate you from the masses.
- Charm will deceive, beauty will fade.
(laughing)
But a woman with conviction will last forever.
So what do you have to say?
What stories do you have to tell?
That's what I want to know.
That's what this class is all about.
You can do it.
All of you.
Welcome.
And now, we're gonna talk about Sarah Bernhardt's
most controversial role, Hannah.
Where she played the lead.
Yes.
A woman can play a man's role.
A whole lot more convincing you
that a man can play a woman's role.
(laughing)
- Why would I dare to think that you would understand?
Yes, you who hears my soul weeping in its darkest hour,
I offer you a legacy of my uncharted future
flung far among the field of stars.
That was terrific.
Roman, isn't it?
Is that what you're doing for the class monologue?
- Probably Shakespeare.
- You?
- Shakespeare.
- Does everyone need to do monologue?
- Oh, yeah, and I was scaping it.
I could accompany you if you want.
Some music, maybe piano?
- Really?
- Sure.
My boosted dramatic impact of it.
- So where are you from?
- I was born in Emmett.
It's a little town you probably never even heard of it.
My folks live in Tishmingo now.
- I know Tishmingo.
Are you Chickasaw then?
- You've got any Indian stories like the myths and legends?
I'm serious.
I know nothing.
Nothing about your people.
I mean, other than my dad always saying stupid things.
Come on.
You gotta give me something.
Please.
Pretty please.
My father used to tell me this one.
- The stage is yours.
- Old earth maker made everything the way that he wanted.
But one day he looked down and he saw
rabbit shivering in the cold.
Rabbit did not want to be this way.
So he began to make a little song and a little dance
so that he could try to tell earth maker how he wanted to be.
- Happy as Hermia wears so where she lies,
for she hath blessed and attractive eyes.
How came her eyes so bright?
Not with salt tears.
If so, my eyes are oftener washed than hers.
No, I am as ugly as a bear for beasts when they see me.
They run away in fear.
Oh, pardon my interruption.
- Hi, Ms. Davis.
- Please do continue.
- I was just going over what to do for class
and I was looking at.
- Mid-summer night's dream.
You were very good.
- Thank you.
- You know, Mary, I've been given these monologues
for years and years and everyone does Shakespeare.
Everyone.
Did you know you're the first Indian
that ever enrolled at OCW?
And that's not a crutch.
It's an advantage.
What could you show me that I haven't seen before?
What can you offer all these little sugar cookies?
(laughing)
That's what I want to see.
- See you in class.
- Thank you, Ms. Davis.
(laughing)
(singing in foreign language)
♪ Will it die or will it come ♪
♪ Will it die or will it come ♪
♪ Will it die or will it come ♪
♪ Should you ask me when these legends and traditions ♪
♪ I should answer, I should tell you ♪
♪ In the bird's nest of the forest ♪
♪ In the hoof print of the bison ♪
♪ In the area of the eagle ♪
♪ Listen to these Indian legends ♪
♪ Like a death web sponge ♪
♪ Twix, the sunning moon ♪
♪ And the rising sun ♪
♪ Our glory sinks like the sinking moon ♪
♪ The red man's race ♪
♪ Shall perish soon ♪
♪ Our feet shall trip ♪
♪ Where the web is spun ♪
♪ For no dawn shall be ours ♪
♪ And no rising sun ♪
♪ No dawn is ours ♪
♪ And no rising sun ♪
(audience applauding)
- So tell me, what will you do next?
- Continue my studies and then maybe New York?
- Broadway?
- Wow.
Well, I think I might have just the launching pad for you.
Carnegie?
- Carnegie Tech.
My old alma mater, the best theater company in the country.
- Yes, I know, but they would never accept me
and I couldn't afford anything at a time.
- I just mailed my recommendation along with your application.
Now it includes a few embellishments,
ones that I hope that you will fulfill for me this summer.
When does your train leave?
- 2.30.
- Perfect.
Just enough time to meet a very dear friend of mine.
♪ This little light of mine ♪
♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪
♪ This little light of mine ♪
♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪
♪ This little light of mine ♪
♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪
♪ This little light of mine ♪
♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪
♪ This little light of mine ♪
- Great, everyone, take a break.
You must be Mary Francis.
- I'm Thirloa Librance, and this is the Chautauqua Tour.
- 32 towns in 40 nights.
It's education, it's entertainment,
it's fun for the entire family,
and it is the most American thing in all of America.
But, as I told Ms. Davis, I must have an Indian act.
I must have you.
Knock on wood.
- That would be wonderful.
When is it?
- Now.
- Day summer?
- Ah, my dear.
There is no time like the present.
Or the immediate future, right?
Have a seat.
A leg?
Some years ago, I was traveling by wagon out west
on a music gathering expedition.
When a blizzard sprung up and turned the world white,
you couldn't even see your hand in front of your face,
and before long, we had plunged into a crevasse.
My leg was smashed.
I was trapped beneath the wagon.
I couldn't move and I had been left for dead.
I lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness.
And suddenly, I began to hear music.
It was strange music, drums and rattles and gongs,
and these marvelous rhythms that I had never heard before.
The music seemed to grow stronger,
I'm stronger, I'm stronger, and I'm silent.
I woke in a sea of warm blankets.
The room was lit by fire,
and an Indian doctor was wiping my brow.
He had done what he had to do.
He amputated my leg, but in taking it,
he saved my life.
- That music, wasn't real.
As real as life itself.
To me, the music that I heard
was the music of the spirits come to save my life.
And ever since that day, I have made it my life's work
to bring the music of the Indians to people everywhere.
So what do you say?
Do I have my Indian act?
- May I bring my piano player with me?
- Deal, welcome aboard.
There she is.
- Mama, daddy.
- Look at you, all educated.
- Mama.
- So I know you're just back and all,
but I've spoken to the local school,
and they're looking for teachers, eh?
- That's great, daddy.
Let's talk about it at home.
- Okay.
- Say what?
- Carugi's across the whole country.
We aren't you educated enough?
- Let's discuss this once she's accepted.
- I'm gonna get accepted.
- I just don't want you getting your hopes up.
Things are more challenging for people in our situation.
- You mean being Indian?
That's not a crutch, Mama.
It's an advantage.
- Well, I can't afford it.
- Well, maybe I can.
(door thuds)
- To work with some freak show.
- Mama, talk to him.
- He hasn't been just right lately.
And the idea of you out there in the big, white world.
- He wants me to stay here and become a teacher
and behave like a nice, normal person.
- There's nothing wrong with nice or normal.
(sighs)
- We bring you up to know your own mind
and to follow where *** leads you.
And if that means going cross country
and getting up on a stage, then you best get up on it.
Okay.
Okay.
(somber music)
♪ On the night of the day ♪
(somber music)
- Centuries ago before the white man,
our people, restless and tired,
searched desperately for a place to call home.
And every night at the end of the long journey,
they stuck a sacred pole on the ground,
so that it pointed straight toward the heavens.
Never morning, whichever way it leaned,
they traveled until finally it leaned no more.
The pole did not bring us here.
The white man forced us here.
But now, this is our home.
We don't have to wander anymore.
And neither do you.
- I love that story, Daddy.
And that's why I have to go
so that I can tell our stories.
What's your stage name?
Mary Frances Thompson is the name of my daughter,
not of a former.
- What about what Uncle Doug used to call it?
Ayola Ahoy.
- No, Mama, people have to be able to pronounce it.
- What was it Aunt Mary called her when she was a baby?
- Te Ata.
- Te Ata?
- I love it, what does it mean?
- Bear of the morning.
- That's perfect.
- That's 'cause you start crying every day
at the crack of dawn for hours
and nobody could shut you up.
- Which feels like a dang rooster, wouldn't you, Bertie?
(laughing)
(singing in foreign language)
- The moon, the sun, the wind, the rainbow.
Under, all came to visit Abba Benita.
(singing in foreign language)
Listen to my story that came from my father
and from his father before.
(singing in foreign language)
(singing in foreign language)
(singing in foreign language)
- The next story I am going to tell you
is a very ancient story.
- The summer's been exhausting,
but I never felt more alive.
I met with this seminal woman after my last performance
and she asked me if I could tell the stories of her people.
Now, word is spreading
and I'm meeting with various tribes wherever I go.
They share their stories with me
so that I may share them with the whole world.
(dramatic music)
- How big was Kansas City?
- Massive, crowds everywhere.
- I'm definitely in trouble too.
- Oh, that man, when is he going to stop?
- Wait, all forms of Indian rituals are prohibited.
You can't sell traditional items.
- Is this true?
- In theory, not in practice, that's what they say.
- Carnegie.
- Did you get in, Mary?
- Yes.
- Rejected.
- Don't you dare take joy in this.
- I wouldn't even dream of it.
I think it's a sign.
Beat has spoken.
- Mama?
- Yeah, honey.
- Can you type me to the train station?
- Wait, don't marry, Mary Francis,
where are you going now?
- Can I go too, Mommy?
- No, you ain't going anywhere, you and lady.
- Mom!
- Oh, Tom's when he gonna learn.
He can't keep Tom's and girl down.
Birdie, come on, honey.
Come on.
- Say hi, little daddy.
- Hey, hold on, I'm the man of the house here.
(dramatic music)
- Mr. Stevens, please.
- Do you have an appointment?
- I'm sure I do, I send a telegram--
- Your name?
- Teyada Thompson.
Please have a seat.
- Thank you.
- Miss Thompson?
- Yes, Teyada Thompson.
- Yes, well, I believe you've gotten our letter.
- Yes, and I thought I'd get a chance to audition.
- Oh, yes, well, enrollment is closed, dear.
You try again in the spring.
- All right.
- Which way is this here, Teyada?
- That way.
- Now, now hold on a second.
Just what do you think you're doing?
- Miss, stop.
Stop.
Miss, stop.
Stop.
We are getting ready for a production here.
- Mr. Stevens, I just traveled 1,117 miles to get here.
I would really love a chance to audition for you.
- I can't accept you alone, there is a committee.
- Well, how long would it take to get them all here?
- Give me 10 minutes.
- Thank you, sir.
- The circle of the earth is the head of a great drum.
With the day it grows upward, booming.
- I think they're in the theater.
- Who is the drummer who beats
upon the earth's drum?
Who is the drummer who makes me dance to this song?
- I think we can find a place for you.
- Another postcard from Mary.
- Well, it's been a year.
Tell them that she's coming home.
- New York City.
- Tell Daddy not to worry.
Miss Davis has me staying at the Three Arts Club.
It's four actresses starting out.
And she's going to set up some private performances,
so I can earn my keep.
(upbeat music)
- I'm sorry, do you know where West End Avenue is?
- It's 10 blocks this way.
- Thank you.
(upbeat music)
- Here you go.
Thank you.
- Hi.
- I'm here to check in on--
- It's about time you got here.
- Margaret?
What are you doing here?
- I live here.
And when Miss Davis told me you were coming,
I traded out my roommate for you.
- I'll show her up.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Ta-da.
- Oh my.
This is so perfect.
- Wow.
So, so what are we gonna do now?
- Rest.
Tomorrow?
You've hit the ground running.
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music)
- Ta-da.
- Ta-da.
- Whatever.
- My heart can't take it any longer.
- You were like that.
- Next.
- Next.
- Slave.
Soul is filling.
Dog.
A wearily base.
- Good.
Thanks.
We'll contact you.
- Do you have my address and--
- Next.
- When sorrows come,
they come not single spies.
- Next.
(upbeat music)
- Hi.
- Oh yeah, yeah, come on in, come on in.
Take your mark.
Fokahans.
Before we get started,
are you okay wearing that?
(upbeat music)
- You first.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, how'd it go?
- A wardrobe didn't fit.
How was your play?
- Best non-paying gig ever.
Gotta get to my pay-ing gig now at the theater.
- I've been here for almost a year and nothing.
I'm running out of money.
- I can see if they have an opening at the theater.
- Thanks, anyways.
- Ms. Davis has scheduled four private performances
next week.
- Well, you gotta make some good scratch.
- But I'm in New York for Broadway.
- Hey.
Keep pounding.
Something eventually is gonna break.
- Whatever it's me.
- Unbreakable.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Once there was a young maiden
and she lived by a beautiful stream.
One day, she looked into the stream at her reflection.
Oh, my.
She said, "I'm beautiful enough for any maze."
So she walked down to the riverbank.
Anybody around here wanna laugh?
And somebody answered, "I want a wife, I want a wife."
Well, what shall we live on if we live together?
We will live on grass.
Oh, I can live on grass.
Grass is much too coarse for a good-looking girl like me.
So she walked on down the banks of the river
and sang again.
Anybody around here want a wife?
- Someone answered, "I want a wife.
What shall we live on if we live together?
We will live on seas."
- Oh, I love seas.
She was so pleased with him
and she was so pleased with her.
And together, they flew down the banks of the river
because they were the first birds of spring.
(audience applauds)
- Say, Arthur, would you take questions?
- Of course.
- What tribe are you from, dear?
- I am Chickasaw.
My father's Chickasaw, my mother's of German descent.
- Then you are half Chickasaw.
- No, ma'am.
My heart and soul are 100% Chickasaw.
With the Indiana Fences Act,
are songs and dances like this illegal?
- The Bible says ***'s words brought the world to being.
We Chickasaw believe his words came as a song.
And if sharing this song is illegal,
well, there's not much else to sing about them.
- As this is a private event,
I assure you it is well within the law,
but I remind each of you to support
Governor Roosevelt in his upcoming election.
- Mrs. Roosevelt and he are big supporter of the arts
and will make events like this legal for all.
- Is there anything that the white man does
that you would deem offensive?
- I think the only thing that upsets Indians the most
is to find that the white man grows perfectly good corn
and never sings over it.
(audience laughing)
- Excuse me.
Remarkable.
- Well, thank you.
- A Clyde Fisher.
- Teata.
- Yes, of course.
Something to do with the daybreak, yes?
- There is the morning.
- Oh, yes.
Beautiful, beautiful.
- How did you know?
- Oh, well, though I'm a professor,
I am always a student of Indian culture.
- And what do you teach?
- Well, my first love is astronomy,
but I also teach zoology, paleontology, anthropology,
geology, am I boring you?
- No, no, it's quite remarkable.
What got you interested in Indian culture?
- Well, I was on an expedition out west
and I was adopted by the Sioux tribe.
My Indian name, though lacking in the imagery of Teata,
certainly was fitting.
They called me afraid of bear.
- You were tremendous.
- You're here.
- Thank you.
- Dr. Fisher.
- Yes?
- I certainly hope to see you and your husband
out at the Natural History Museum tomorrow
for the planetarium's unveiling.
It's a small gathering.
It's open to the public as well.
- Wouldn't miss it for the world.
- Wonderful.
- Wonderful.
Well, I will leave you ladies to it.
- Your performance idea was absolutely breathtaking.
I have never experienced that sense of spirit.
You absolutely blow, my dear.
- Missinger, drop this off.
- It's casting services.
- Thank you.
- I got it.
- I got it?
- Hey, got what?
- A real roller Broadway.
- What?
- It says, "The Red Poppy."
It says right here, it opens December 19th.
It's not the lead, but it's fourth on the belly.
- Who cares?
(laughing)
- It's Ronald.
- We have to celebrate you.
What are you doing tomorrow?
- Yeah, the Museum of Natural History,
do you want to come?
- I'll pass.
- When I get up work tonight, we are celebrating!
(laughing)
- In creating the planetarium,
I had one simple task.
To take one of the most difficult subjects,
one that we cannot reach out and touch
and make it understandable.
Not only to a man or a woman,
but to a child.
At tonight, I will explain our approach
to that conundrum.
But first, I would like to say how much it means
to see you here this evening.
I was traveling in Germany about two years ago,
and I had the good fortune
to meet with a man named Carl Zeiss.
- How do you know so much?
- I have a love of learning.
Right now, we're walking
between 600 and 700 miles per hour,
based on the constant rotation of the Earth.
Why waste the momentum?
And I say.
- I never thought of it that way before.
- It is imperative to open people's minds to new things.
Ignorance breeds fear,
and the only way to conquer that
is to make the unknown known.
- I think I would agree with that.
- I would say more than agree.
Each time you take the stage,
you bring light to a dark world.
I give these small outdoor talks
to a camp of young little rascals
at Bear Mountain, up north.
They come from poor homes,
but their minds are sponges.
This may be the only bit of nature they ever get to see.
Would you consider performing for them?
- Well, it sounds lovely,
but I just landed a Broadway role.
- Congratulations, huh?
Wonderful, wonderful.
- Well, it's my first role,
so I need to see folk.
- No, of course, of course.
I, perhaps, another time.
That's, that's wonderful.
- Can I go for you a celebratory meal?
- I love that.
- Perfect.
♪ I'm fascinated by the life of you ♪
♪ And situated by the things you do ♪
♪ I'm enchanted by a moor each day ♪
♪ The sun is shining and I rise away ♪
♪ Spealing washes over me ♪
♪ And I, I'm along with the birds and bees ♪
♪ Perhaps it's you, my missing puzzle piece ♪
♪ I'm fascinated by you ♪
♪ And how the time does fly ♪
♪ When your hand touches my ear ♪
♪ And how my chest and rose from the back ♪
♪ Get your side, hello, I hope you'll never go ♪
♪ My big skin is at the sight of you wondering ♪
♪ If you're wondering, too ♪
♪ Could it be like that's come out of the blue ♪
♪ I'm fascinated by you ♪
♪ But I'm fascinated by you ♪
♪ And how the time does fly ♪
♪ Get your side, hello, I hope you'll never go ♪
♪ My big skin is at the sight of you wondering ♪
♪ If you're wondering, too ♪
♪ Could it be like that's come out of the blue ♪
♪ I'm fascinated by you ♪
♪ I'm fascinated by you ♪
(knocking)
- You decent?
- Yes.
- It is still a buzz out there.
It's electric, what a run.
You were wonderful.
How does it feel?
- I thought I'd be more excited.
- What do you mean?
- I'm not sure, I feel off, it's all in like,
like sometimes missing.
Must be the empty stomach.
- Hmm, must be.
I have made us dinner reservations that should help.
- You think that we can go somewhere where
I don't have to think or talk or be somebody?
- Yes, of course.
There's a film playing across the street, a new film.
Mark and Drew, moving pictures, music, popcorn, I guess.
- It's perfect.
- I can sufficiently describe the feeling.
Those last few notes, like a wave,
coming over the audience,
and they are completely, look, what's your step?
Are you okay?
- Yeah, I thought I saw something.
(dramatic music)
(crowd cheering)
- All the speeders.
- Turn the tree, hurry.
(dramatic music)
- We want 'em chug, chug, with knees.
(crowd laughing)
- Let's get out of here.
(crowd cheering)
- Um, I'm sorry.
- No, no, no, no, no, no, it's not you.
- Seth, how they see me?
- It was a cartoon.
- It was a stupid cartoon.
- Of how to stupid, isn't he?
- Not about you.
- I was so stupid thinking that I could come to Broadway
and make a difference.
- Okay.
- Why did you pursue the performing arts?
To pretend to be other people?
- No.
- And why?
(dramatic music)
Do you know how I made astronomy interesting to adults?
I'm making it interesting to a child.
If a child could understand it and enjoy it,
an adult could too.
- And what are you getting at?
- You need to get away.
You need to get away.
You remember the camp that I told you about?
Let's do that.
Let's do that this weekend.
- I don't know.
- I will cancel my meeting on Friday morning
and I will drive you up there myself.
- If I can make time in my busy schedule
for a mountain trip, then certainly you can too.
It would be a wonderful adventure.
- I want to focus on Broadway.
- Maybe it's not about what you want to do.
Maybe it's about what you were meant to do.
(dramatic music)
- I'd need a canoe.
(dramatic music)
- All set.
- Oh, one boy eyes.
- Don't tell.
Oh, great explorer.
- I'll see you on the other side of the lake.
- Okay.
(dramatic music)
- Oh, and you'll see that.
(dramatic music)
- Check this.
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
- My name is Teata,
bearer of the morning.
I am a Chickasaw Indian from the state of Oklahoma
and also a storyteller.
Indians are the natives of this land.
They belong here.
Everything that they learn.
They learn from nature.
(singing in foreign language)
(singing in foreign language)
(audience cheering)
(dramatic music)
- Thank you for today.
I still really needed this.
- So did mine.
Come look.
- What are we looking at?
- Oh, it is a heavenly sight.
- Oh, really?
(dramatic music)
- How did you get that in there?
- That's not an answer.
(laughing)
- My darling, Indian princess, will you marry me?
- Yes.
I mean, no.
- No?
- You have to ask my father.
- Let's go.
- Oh, you don't know my father.
- My dear, I have camped in sub-zero temperatures
in Lapland.
I have swam with crocodile and piranha in Peru.
I have climbed into the mouth of a boiling volcano.
I think I can-- - No, no, my father.
I better go first and pave the way.
(dramatic music)
- Mama!
- Where's Daddy?
- Well, he's not feeling too good.
Something happened.
- What?
(dramatic music)
- I still can't believe three men came into Daddy's door
and took wears away.
- Just some things to do with our culture.
- Did you call those sheriffs?
- Honey, the government was utoko.
Agents and force in the code of Indian offenses.
It's about all his heart could take.
But he's a Thompson, he'll get through it.
- I'm gonna tell Clyde not to come.
- Well, if you were serious about this man,
then we need to meet him.
- Way to kick him when he's down.
(laughing)
- Hi, Daddy.
- Is she among the government?
It's not right.
- Oh, it's nothing else, sweetie.
- You need anything?
- I have water.
Thanks.
- Okay.
(dramatic music)
- What's gonna happen to the store?
- Oh, it's small, fine.
Treble is those baskets are made by locals
who need money to put food on the table.
Any plans by your home?
- Ms. Davis set up a small performance
at the local school.
I was actually helping Uncle Doug and Betty could come.
- Oh, I bet they'd be delighted.
- And maybe even Daddy too, if he's feeling better?
- Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that.
- Okay.
(dramatic music)
- Is she crazy?
Now's not the time to be promoting our culture.
- She feels exactly the right time.
- Well, it just caused more trouble.
Why can't she just get a normal job?
- Just thought I'd ask.
She's gonna do it, so.
- Well, I don't need to see it.
- Okay.
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
- Hi.
Ever since I saw her perform, I just knew.
Took a little while for a fate to agree with me.
- To travel in here must be nothing
when you travel everywhere.
(dramatic music)
- Mr. Thompson, I'm Clyde Fisher.
- Perhaps you should have gone with afraid of bear.
- Well, let me try man to boy.
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
- What's he saying?
- Shh, I don't know.
- And so Mr. Thompson, I would like your blessing
to marry your daughter, Mary Francis.
- How old are you?
- I am 17 years her senior, the white hair came early.
- You wanna marry my daughter?
- Yes, sir.
- But you do something for me.
- Anything.
- Bring her home.
Have her stop all this globe trotting business.
And if what you say is true, when you can provide,
then she can settle down, nice and normal.
Here, with her people.
- Sir, I'm not sure we're talking about the same woman.
- To think that I would be able, if willing,
which I'm not, to put a leash on her.
Well, in my opinion, that's a quite impossible task.
- Yeah, I was like the same woman.
- Mr. Thompson, your daughter has a gift.
She can open up the eyes of the world
to the Chickasaw people, to all Indians,
simply by telling stories.
I mean, have you seen her perform?
This is her home, and she will always come home to you.
She can love me half as much as she loves you.
That will make me the happiest man in the world.
- Mr. Thompson, I'm not asking for an answer to this instant.
I will wait as long as it takes,
and I will abide by your decision.
- Well?
- No answer, yet.
- Well, I'm proud of you, afraid of there.
- Why don't you two go for a drive,
and let me work on Old Poppa Bear?
- I think you're gonna adjust the place.
(eerie music)
- It's beautiful.
- It has been my cathedral, since I was a child.
(eerie music)
- Long ago, my people, they were searching
for a place to call home, ahead of them.
It was a great white dog, Ophitobi.
- Ophitobi?
- He traveled far ahead of them, always on alert,
and always warned of any dangers.
He was their faithful guardian, scap.
And then one day, they came to a great river.
(speaks in foreign language)
- They're Mississippi.
- Mm, they knew home was across the river.
- They knew home was somewhere on the other side
of the wide, wide river before them.
So quickly, they assembled rafts across.
The first raft carried a group of men,
and the beloved white dog.
But the raft, it broke apart.
All the men made it to shore.
But the beloved white dog,
standing, proud, undrifting wood,
vanished down the river.
Should they ever find out what happened to the goat?
- No.
- But some say he can still be seen guiding our people.
(somber music)
- Dear.
(somber music)
- I am sorry.
I had to kill the little brother,
but I had need of thy meat.
I will do honor to thy courage,
to thy strength,
and to thy beauty.
(audience applauds)
Next, I will tell you a story
my father told me.
When I was young,
there are birds of many colors,
red, blue, green, and yellow, yet.
It is all one bird.
There are horses of many colors,
black, brown, yellow, and white, yet.
It is all one horse, so with cattle,
so with men, in this land,
where one was only Indian,
is now men of every color.
All this came to pass in the heart of the mystery.
(somber music)
- My name is Ta-ta,
the bearer of the morning.
I am Chickasaw.
I am
a story teller.
(audience applauds)
(somber music)
- Remember who you are,
Ta-ta.
Broadway will keep calling Hollywood too.
But you tell the story you were meant to tell.
- I won't let you down.
- Don't you worry about me.
You're doing it for them.
(somber music)
- Thank you for everything.
(somber music)
- Ooh.
- Thank you.
- What for?
- Happy me, me, me.
(somber music)
(somber music)
- Wish your father well.
- I will.
And once he's better, I shall come back to you.
- I look forward to both of those things.
And write.
- Sorry.
- Write to me.
- Everyday.
- You let us be in the world.
- Oh, I almost forgot to give these to you.
Your mail from Margaret.
- I love you, my princess.
- And I love you.
Afraid of there.
- Last call.
- How's daddy?
- Wouldn't do it so good last night.
Swear even crying.
- But he's never cried before a day in his life.
- I know.
He's got me worried.
What is it?
(somber music)
- The White House, President Roosevelt.
- Well, it's less than a week.
Come here.
(coughing)
(somber music)
- I was invited to perform at the White House.
President Roosevelt's first day dinner.
But I won't go if you promise not to die.
I'll stay
right here with you.
- And when you went to college, I didn't like it.
But you went on that summer tour, it didn't like Pittsburgh.
No way.
There we are.
No.
I don't have to forgive myself
if you don't come to that White House.
I'm sorry.
You know that first I'll dance.
I ever took you to an elder.
Took you aside and said,
(speaking in foreign language)
- I remember.
- What he said was that someday
you would become the storyteller.
I knew deep ***, he was right, but I was scared.
I was selfish.
I didn't want to share you.
And you were just a little girl.
Your Uncle Doug went to Washington
when they tried to get rid of us.
And now you will return.
It shows them that we are alive and well.
And that the Chickasaw are unconquered.
It's unconquerable.
Then you come back home
'cause we've got a wedding to play 'em.
(laughing)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
- Welcome, Teyata.
So pleased you're going to be spending the night
in the White House.
- Okay, I hear tonight.
Didn't they tell you, in the Lincoln bedroom,
will arrange for some things?
- Pardon me, Mrs. Roosevelt.
My, you are looking ravishing.
Senator Joe.
- Teyata, you are very well known to my people.
- Your people?
- You'll find out soon enough, Senator.
Let me show you to the world.
(footsteps thudding)
This evening would not be complete without you.
Do try to get a bit of rest
before your performance tonight, my dear.
- Mrs. Roosevelt.
Thank you for everything.
- To my friends, I am Eleanor.
(laughing)
(dramatic music)
- Mr. Lincoln, there's an Indian girl in the White House.
And it's right that you should be here.
(dramatic music)
My name is Teyata,
bearer of the morning.
I am Chickasaw and a storyteller.
And this is the story of my people long ago.
The great creator brought together two brothers,
the Choctaw and the Chickasaw.
The brothers sought out new lands
and journeyed with the protection of Ophi Toby,
the White Dog.
They brought with them the sacred leaning pole
that gave them direction.
Finally, they found new lands
and the one brother, Chickasaw,
went in one direction and Choctaw in the other.
And by doing this, they created two powerful nations.
And they sang a song.
(dramatic music)
(singing in foreign language)
(singing in foreign language)
(audience applauding)
- Abba Benili walks in good ways.
He reminds us through our ancestors
how all this beauty came to be.
Meh Yumakula.
This is not the end of the story.
♪ Stir my heart ♪
♪ Show me the way ♪
♪ Let me feel love, oh love ♪
♪ At the end of day ♪
♪ Warm wind, love ♪
♪ Carries me home ♪
♪ You help me see ♪
♪ That I don't walk alone ♪
♪ No, I don't walk alone ♪
♪ Toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Walk into words to live as one ♪
♪ Hear our voice join our song ♪
♪ The new dawn has come ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ The rain pours down ♪
♪ 'Cause feelings return ♪
♪ Deep in my soul I know ♪
♪ The fire still burns ♪
♪ Toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Walk into words to live as one ♪
♪ Hear our voice join our song ♪
♪ The new dawn has come ♪
♪ When I sing my last song ♪
♪ Lord shine your light down upon ♪
♪ Take my hand guide me toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Walk into words to live as one ♪
♪ Hear our voice join our song ♪
♪ The new dawn has come ♪
♪ When I sing my last song ♪
♪ Lord shine your light down upon ♪
♪ Take my hand guide me toward the rising sun ♪
♪ You're in your hair ♪
♪ Way higher your hair ♪
♪ Take my hand guide me toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Take my hand guide me toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
(dramatic music)
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music)
♪ Give me my hand guide me toward the rising sun ♪
♪ Give me my hand guide me toward the rising sun ♪