Marlon Brando Oscar rep Sacheen Littlefeather receives apology

2022-08-16

Sacheen Littlefeather receives apology for 1973 Oscars when she gave speech on behalf of Marlon Brando

Littlefeather appeared on Brando’s behalf at 1973 Academy Awards
She was booed when she spoke about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films
Littlefeather has said she’s been mocked, discriminated against and personally attacked over the appearance
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologized to Littlefeather, now 75, in June
It will honor Littlefeather with an event on September 17

Nearly 50 years after Sacheen Littlefeather stood on the Academy Awards stage on behalf of Marlon Brando to speak about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologized to her for the abuse she endured.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Monday said that it will host Littlefeather, now 75, for an evening of ‘conversation, healing and celebration’ on September 17.

When Brando won best actor for The Godfather in 1973, Littlefeather, wearing buckskin dress and moccasins, took the stage, becoming the first Native American woman ever to do so at the Academy Awards.

The latest: Nearly 50 years after Sacheen Littlefeather stood on the Academy Awards stage on behalf of Marlon Brando to speak about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has apologized to her for the abuse she endured. She was snapped at the Oscars in LA on March 27, 1973

When she appeared on Brando’s behalf in 1973, Littlefeather, then 26, said she was instructed by Brando not to touch the Oscar statuette; and by show producer Howard Koch to restrict her remarks to 60 seconds, under threat of arrest if she went over time, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Littlefeather said in her speech that ‘[Brando] very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award and the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry – excuse me – and on television in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.’ (The 1973 Oscars were held during the American Indian Movement’s two-month occupation of Wounded Knee in South Dakota.)

Some in the audience booed her. John Wayne, who was backstage at the time, was reportedly furious.

In the years since, Littlefeather has said she’s been mocked, discriminated against and personally attacked for her brief Academy Awards appearance.

When Brando won best actor for The Godfather, Littlefeather, wearing buckskin dress and moccasins, took the stage, becoming the first Native American woman ever to do so at the Academy Awards

Speaking on behalf of Brando (pictured in 1973), Littlefeather said the actor could not accept the award due to ‘the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry’

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2QUacU0I4yU%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26start%3D2%26hl%3Den-US

In making the announcement, the Academy Museum shared a letter sent June 18 to Littlefeather by David Rubin, academy president, about the iconic Oscar moment. Rubin called Littlefeather’s speech ‘a powerful statement that continues to remind us of the necessity of respect and the importance of human dignity.’

‘The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified,’ wrote Rubin. ‘The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable.

‘For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.’

Littlefeather told The Hollywood Reporter she ‘was stunned’ when the Academy reached out to her about making amends.

‘I never thought I’d live to see the day I would be hearing this, experiencing this,’ Littlefeather told the outlet. ‘When I was at the podium in 1973, I stood there alone.’

Some in the audience booed Littlefeather, while the late John Wayne, who was backstage at the time, was reportedly furious

Brando had won the award for best actor for his performance in The Godfather

Littlefeather, in a statement, said it is ‘profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago.

‘Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people – it´s only been 50 years!’ said Littlefeather. ‘We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It’s our method of survival.’

At the Academy Museum event in Los Angeles, Littlefeather will sit for a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance.

In a podcast earlier this year with Jacqueline Stewart, a film scholar and director of the Academy Museum, Littlefeather reflected on what compelled her to speak out in 1973.

‘I felt that there should be Native people, Black people, Asian people, Chicano people – I felt there should be an inclusion of everyone,’ said Littlefeather. ‘A rainbow of people that should be involved in creating their own image.’

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