Above all, I wanted to be appreciated as a prima ballerina who happened to be a Native American, never as someone who was an American Indian ballerina.

A ballerina takes steps given to her and makes them her own. Each individual brings something different to the same role.

Above all, I wanted to be appreciated as a prima ballerina who happened to be a Native American, never as someone who was an American Indian ballerina.

What's important is that I'm working with very talented young people.