50 years on, Academy apologises to indigenous star for abuse at Oscars

NEW YORK: 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 apologised 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”, Littlefeather, wearing buckskin dress and moccasins, took the stage, becoming the first Native American woman ever to do so at the Academy Awards. In a 60-second speech, she explained that Brando could not accept the award due to “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry”. Littlefeather, who is Apache and Yaqui, was heckled and some in the audience booed her. She later said veteran Western star John Wayne had to be restrained from physically assaulting her, in an incident that has since drawn comparisons with Will Smith’s infamous attack on Chris Rock. The 1973 Oscars were held during the American Indian Movement’s two-month occup- ation of Wounded Knee in South Dakota. In the years since, Littlefeather has said she’s been mocked, discriminated against and personally attacked for her brief Oscars appearance.
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 was unwarranted and unjustified,” wrote Rubin.
Littlefeather, in a statement, said it is “profoundly heartening to see how much has changed”. “Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people — it’s only been 50 years!” said Littlefeather. In a podcast earlier this year she 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. A rainbow of people that should be involved in creating their own image. ”