Ep. 9 - Chickasaw Nation Productions Telling First American Stories
Q’orianka Kilcher (The New World, Princes Kaiulani, Yellowstone) as Te Ata, the title role in the feature film Te Ata (2016) based on the true story of Chickasaw performer and storyteller Mary Thompson Fisher. Photo credit: Chickasaw Nation Productions
In Episode 9 of Historical Drama with the Boston Sisters, we talk with Jeannie Barbour, Content Producer for Chickasaw Nation Productions, about Chickasaw Films with their focus on First American stories and historical films, as well as the Chickasaw Nation Productions feature films Te Ata and Montford: Chickasaw Rancher. Founded by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby in 2009, Chickasaw Nation Productions is an independent film production company based in Oklahoma.
Jeannie Barbour, Creative Director for the Chickasaw Nation
Jeannie Barbour is the Creative Director for the Chickasaw Nation’s Department of Communications and the Content Producer for Chickasaw Nation Productions. She is also an artist and illustrator. Her award-winning artwork hangs in public spaces and private collections throughout the United States. Jeannie Barbour has written for a variety of books and periodicals focused on southeastern tribal history and culture.
Barbour wrote the story for the film Te Ata, based on the inspiring, true story of Mary Thompson Fisher, who was born in Indian Territory and raised on the songs and stories of her Chickasaw culture that made her one of the greatest First American performers of all time.
Barbour is also content producer for Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher. The film is inspired by the true story of Montford Thomas Johnson who through great hardships and tragedy built a successful cattle ranching business in the 1800s along the famous Chisholm Trail cattle highway in the American West.
Chickasaw Nation Productions website
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Te Ata (2016)
Te Ata (TAY’ AH-TAH) is based on the inspiring, true story of Mary Thompson Fisher (Q’orianka Kilcher), a woman who traversed cultural barriers to become one of the greatest First American performers of all time. Born in Indian Territory, and raised on the songs and stories of her Chickasaw culture, Te Ata’s journey to find her true calling led her through isolation, discovery, love and a stage career that culminated in performances for a United States president, European royalty and audiences across the world. Yet, of all the stories she shared, none are more inspiring than her own.
Director: Nathan Frankowski
Writers: Esther Luttrell (story and screenplay), Jeannie Barbour (story)
Appearing: Q’orianka Kilcher, Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham, Brigid Brannagh, Mackenzie Astin
Left - Martin Sensmeir (The Magnificent Seven, Yellowstone, Westworld) as Montford T. Johnson; Right - Denim Richards (Yellowstone) as Jack Brown in Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher. Photo credit: Chickasaw Nation Productions.
Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)
Beautiful and treacherous, the Western plains of Indian Territory were home to one of the most colorful personalities of the 19th century—Chickasaw rancher Montford T. Johnson. Orphaned at a young age, Johnson survived great hardships and tragedy to establish a vast ranching empire along the famous cattle highway of the American West, the Chisholm Trail. Inspired by a true story, this dramatic story tells of his time among settlers, cowboys, tribes, military and bandits. Armed with grit and determination, Montford had the courage that was needed to tame what seemed an infinite wilderness, while always maintaining respect for those who lived there.
Director: Nathan Frankowski
Writers: Lucy Tennessee Cole (screenplay), Jeannie Barbour (Content Producer)
Appearing: Martin Sensmeir, Dermot Mulroney, Tommy Flanagan, Grace Montie, James Landrie Hérbert, Denim Richards
Montford…Film Website | Trailer
Te Ata and Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher are both available on Netflix. Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
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