Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2023.173.001 |
Collection |
Oral History |
Narrator's Name |
Perdue, Winnie May Guess |
Object Name |
Recording |
Date |
09/06/2023 |
Digital Link |
Click here to listen to recording. Click here to view the interview transcript PDF file. |
Scope & Content |
Recording of an oral history interview with Winnie May Guess Perdue. Tulsa Historical Society & Museum volunteer Lorretta Bertalot conducted the interview on September 6, 2023 at the museum. The audio track measures 01:02:00 in length. Perdue is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. After turning down the opportunity to study ballet with Yvonne Chouteau, she trained with highly respected Kiowa fancy dancer Jack Anquoe. He was reticent to teach her the eagle and hoop dances because they were from his Plains Indian culture and only performed by men. Perdue was a Cherokee woman. He agreed to teach Perdue and she had the dedication and athleticism to excel. They performed as a duo. She is acknowledged as a groundbreaking Native American dancer. In 2016, she was honored in an exhibit as one of five "Cherokee Women Who Changed the World." 00:01 birth and name 01:45 greatest honor received from Cherokee Nation 02:55 death of grandparents, children taken to Sequoyah Indian Training School (orphanage) 07:07 Sequoyah and Cherokee removal 09:46 "Searching for Sequoyah" documentary on PBS 11:00 father foresaw her future, college at Northeastern 12:38 first meeting with uncle Willy Guess, start of World War II 14:30 first day of school in Tulsa 17:43 family moved to Muskogee, Indian Centennial celebration parade 19:41 selected as protégé of Yvonne Chouteau, Indian ballerina 21:49 under tutelage of Kiowa fancy dancer Jack Anquoe 23:38 Okmulgee powwow was first duo performance of Anquoe and Perdue 26:01 invited to perform at the Anadarko Indian Exposition 28:30 choice to forego New York City to stay in Oklahoma 31:30 Anquoe performed before Queen, Perdue performed the shield dance 33:07 performed with Kenneth Anquoe troupe 34:36 finalist in the Miss Indian America pageant, traveled with Chief Keeler 39:32 marriage and family legacy 43:00 trip to Eastern Band Cherokee headquarters in Cherokee, North Carolina 45:46 powerful experience with Eastern Band friends and being on sacred ground 49:35 recipient of honor and recognition for service to the Cherokee Nation 51:16 Cherokee Nation board meeting in 2023, Tulsa Powwow memories 53:51 reflecting on her life's journey: walking in two world as her father predicted 56:39 activities and interests in latter part of life |
Search Terms |
ballet & ballet dancers Cherokee Indians Cherokee Nation dancing & dancers Eastern Band Cherokee Native American dancers oral history interviews powwows |
People |
Anquoe, Jack Chouteau, Yvonne Keeler, William Wayne Perdue, Winnie May Guess Sequoyah West, Dick |