Actress Sacheen Littlefeather, who recently received an apology from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the organization’s treatment of her at the 1973 Oscars when she refused an Academy Award on behalf of Marlon Brando, has died at the age of 75. years. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Littlefeather died at her home in Novato, California on Sunday, according to her caregiver.
The organization had held an event in Littlefeather’s honor two weeks ago for a night of “conversation, healing and celebration.” For the unexperienced, when Brando won best actor for The Godfather in 1973, Littlefeather took the stage and became the first Native American woman to do so at the Academy Awards.
When appearing on Brando’s behalf in 1973, Littlefeather, then 26, said Brando told her not to touch the Oscar statuette; and by entertainment producer Howard Koch to restrict his commentary to 60 seconds, under threat of arrest if he went too far, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Littlefeather said in his speech that “[Brando] unfortunately I cannot accept this very generous award and the reasons for this are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry, excuse me, and on television in reruns of films, and also with the recent developments in Wounded Knee”. The 1973 Oscars were held during the two-month occupation of Wounded Knee in South Dakota by the American Indian Movement.
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Some in the audience booed her. John Wayne, who was backstage at the time, was reportedly furious. In the years since, Littlefeather has said that she has been subjected to ridicule, discrimination and personal attacks for her brief appearance at the Academy Awards. In making the announcement, the Academy Museum shared a letter sent June 18 to Littlefeather by David Rubin, the academy’s president, about the iconic Oscars moment.
Rubin called Littlefeather’s speech “a powerful statement that continues to remind us of the need for respect and the importance of human dignity.” “The abuse she endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unwarranted,” Rubin wrote. “The emotional toll you have experienced and the cost of your own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has gone unrecognized. For this, we offer our deepest apologies and sincere admiration.” Rubin continues.