43 Facts About Atalie Unkalunt

Atalie Unkalunt was a Cherokee singer, interior designer, activist, and writer.

Atalie Unkalunt furthered her education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Atalie Unkalunt was more accepted as a so-called "Indian princess", primarily singing the works of white composers involved in the Indianist movement.

Concerned with the preservation of Native American culture, Unkalunt founded the Society of the First Sons and Daughters of America in 1922.

In 1942, Atalie Unkalunt moved to Washington, DC, and worked for the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.

Atalie Unkalunt was born on June 12,1895, on a farm near Stilwell, in the Going Snake District of the Cherokee Nation Indian Territory to Josephine and Thomas LaFayette Rider.

Atalie Unkalunt was known for her singing voice, which impacted Unkalunt's choice of career.

Atalie Unkalunt attended government-run Indian schools, and graduated from Central High School, in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Atalie Unkalunt then studied at the Thomas School for Girls in San Antonio, Texas, graduating in 1914.

Atalie Unkalunt trained in literature under Dalla Lore Sharp, at Boston University, studying ethics, logic, and psychology; at the same time she attended the Emerson School of Oratory.

Atalie Unkalunt completed her studies in 1918, and then went to New York to train with the YMCA for services during World War I Stationed in France, Unkalunt worked as a secretary and entertainer for the troops for thirteen months and sent dispatches back for the local press.

Atalie Unkalunt performed at private functions, sang on the radio, and toured throughout the country as a soprano, performing three seasons as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Lake Placid, New York and with Victor Herbert's orchestra.

Atalie Unkalunt's repertoire included arias from operas, such as Carmen, Madama Butterfly, and Natoma, popular music like "Dear Eyes" by Frank H Grey and "Thy Voice Is Like a Silver Flute" by J H Larway, as well as Native songs performed in costume and accompanied by a hand drum.

Atalie Unkalunt was billed as a prima donna, an "Indian princess", and one of the foremost Native American sopranos in the country.

When Nitana fell through, Atalie Unkalunt began to write her own libretto for a Native American opera for which Herbert agreed to compose music, but the work was unfinished at his 1924 death.

Atalie Unkalunt's performances were subsequently composed of Native and Indianist music, rather than opera.

Benedict alleged that Atalie Unkalunt had stolen from her father some silk material, furnishings, and clothing, originally valued at $355 but reported in court to be worn and threadbare items worth about $10.

When his attention became romantic, although Atalie Unkalunt refused his advances, Benedict sought to terminate her father's infatuation by accusing the singer of theft.

Atalie Unkalunt testified that Ainslie was upset by her rejection and in order to hurt her backed his daughter's claims.

Atalie Unkalunt was acquitted in November 1924, after Benedict admitted to planting some of the stolen items in her rooms.

Atalie Unkalunt then counter-sued Ainslie for defamation, the expenses incurred in her defense, and the loss of wages, as forty of her scheduled concerts had canceled because of the accusations.

Atalie Unkalunt had testified at her trial that she was earning a living working as a secretary for the Tidewater Oil Company, as an assistant to a real estate agent, from writing, and from a benefactor.

Simultaneously with her arrival in New York City, Atalie Unkalunt began working for the New York City Board of Education.

Atalie Unkalunt presented songs and Native legends to over three hundred and fifty public schools between 1921 and 1923.

Atalie Unkalunt lectured for the United States Department of the Interior, giving presentations on Native culture.

Atalie Unkalunt published articles in newspapers across the country promoting Native women, and fighting against government restrictions of practicing Native religions and dance rituals.

Atalie Unkalunt gave lectures and sang performances to women's clubs and community organizations throughout the United States.

Atalie Unkalunt participated in the Wisconsin Dells Indian Pageant from 1924 to 1936 and various inter-racial music festivals.

In 1929, Atalie Unkalunt and other Native performers were invited to sing at the White House for the inauguration of President Herbert Hoover and his vice president Charles Curtis, a member of the Kaw Nation.

Atalie Unkalunt performed again at the White House in 1934.

Atalie Unkalunt rarely performed Cherokee songs, which Callam speculated might have been a tactic to protect her culture.

Atalie Unkalunt began to explore fabric art in 1927 and a series of her designs was exhibited at the New York City Art Alliance gallery.

Atalie Unkalunt turned the second-story above her garage into a workshop to allow Native artists to produce textiles, carpets, furniture and other handicrafts.

Atalie Unkalunt exhibited some of her artwork at Douthitt Gallery operated by John F Douthitt and the Rehn Gallery owned by Frank Knox Morton Rehn Jr.

In 1928, Atalie Unkalunt designed the offices of WMCA radio station, which occupied the entire tenth floor of the Hammerstein Theatre Building.

Atalie Unkalunt was hired by Vice President Curtis in 1929 to decorate his private study in his suite at the Mayflower Hotel, which served as his official residence in Washington.

Atalie Unkalunt published a collection of poetry and legends in The Earth Speaks, which was released in 1939.

Atalie Unkalunt related the voices of the earth, including the wild roar of water in a river gorge, the songs of birds and buzz of insects, and music in summer breezes and falling rain.

Atalie Unkalunt stated that her "feeling for the earth was lyrical".

In 1942, Atalie Unkalunt moved to Washington, DC, at the request of Nelson Rockefeller to take up a post in the science and education department of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.

Atalie Unkalunt continued to produce content for newspapers and magazines, sang at women's and community group gatherings, and participated in programs sponsored by the State Department for Voice of America.

Atalie Unkalunt died on November 6,1954, at her home at 1410 M Street NW, Washington, DC, after a heart attack.

Atalie Unkalunt was buried three days later at Cedar Hill Cemetery, in nearby Suitland, Maryland.