Sacheen Littlefeather is getting an apology from The Academy.
It’s been almost 50 years since Sacheen Littlefeather, the first Native American woman ever to step onto the Academy Awards stage, stood up at Marlon Brando’s request (he had just won the Best Actor award for his role in The Godfather) and instead of accepting the award for him, she spoke out on his behalf about the negative depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films. She was both heckled (and cheered) and booed, but her acting career was ended.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has apologized to her for the abuse she endured.
On Monday The Academy Museum said that it will host Littlefeather for an evening of reflection on Sept. 17.
David Rubin, former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, addressed Littlefeather in a letter dated June 18, acknowledging what happened at the 45th Academy Awards. The letter was shared in full on the Academy's website on Monday. abcnews.go.com/...
Littlefeather mused:
“I was stunned. I never thought I’d live to see the day I would be hearing this, experiencing this,” said Littlefeather, who is now 75. “When I was at the podium in 1973, I stood there alone.”
Some have said that this speech was the first to begin a trend of political speech-making at the Oscars that continues today, but few have paid such a price as Sacheem Littlefeather. John Wayne was apparently furious at the time (he was backstage.) This was 1973, Oscars were held during the American Indian Movement's two-month occupation of Wounded Knee in South Dakota.
Good for Marie Louise Cruz, or Sacheem Littlefeather, who made a difference. A real difference.
Thank you.