Sacheen Littlefeather

Native American actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined the best-actor award on behalf of Marlon Brando during an Oscars protest in 1973, ...

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist and actress who was booed in 1973 as she refused an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando, has died aged 75, ...

And some people may not." Some people may accept it. The Academy announced her death in a tweet that quoted Littlefeather as saying: "When I am gone, always be reminded that whenever you stand for your truth, you will be keeping my voice and the voices of our nations and our people alive."

Native American actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined the best-actor award on behalf of Marlon Brando during an Oscars protest in 1973, ...

Taking to the stage in a traditional buckskin dress to refuse the Oscar — awarded for Brando’s portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather — in his stead, she gave a critical speech on the same issue, also drawing attention to a protest at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, against the mistreatment of American Indians. Littlefeather, who the Hollywood Reporter said died at her home in California on Sunday surrounded by loved ones, was catapulted to fame when her friend Brando boycotted the 45th Oscars ceremony over what he viewed as the stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans in films and on television. Native American actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined the best-actor award on behalf of Marlon Brando during an Oscars protest in 1973, has died aged 75, the motion picture Academy said on Monday.

In 1973, Brando was awarded the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in The Godfather, and asked Littlefeather to attend the ceremony in his place and turn it ...

That was the most violent moment that had ever taken place at the Academy Awards." and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee." John Wayne was reportedly so incensed by Littlefeather's speech that he had to be held back by security staff. How lucky are we to have someone with such a sweet spirit and warm smile have the strength to take on a world that thought they were better than you, better than all of us. Thank you for standing up and staying strong." [October 3, 2022]

The activist, who made a memorable protest at the 1973 awards over the depiction of Native American people on screen, had been suffering from cancer.

For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.” Although brief, straightforward and courteous, Littlefeather’s appearance was contentious, receiving a mix of applause and boos from the audience. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged.

The actress, who had breast cancer, died on Sunday, the Academy announced. Her death comes two weeks after the organisation honoured her at a ceremony in Los ...

[told the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3cszd40) that straight after the speech she had to leave the stage with two security guards. [Paying tribute online on Monday](https://twitter.com/Ruth_HHopkins/status/1576786278590615554), Dakota/Lakota Sioux writer and biologist Ruth H. "Marlon had called them in advance and asked them to watch the Academy Awards, which they did. "I was met with the stereotypical tomahawk chop, individuals who called at me, and I ignored all of them," she recalled. [Lakota Man on Twitter offered](https://twitter.com/LakotaMan1/status/1576801521395638273): "It's with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of Sacheen Littlefeather. But, she added, it "was a very good thing" as actor John Wayne was backstage.

The activist has died aged 75. Her rejection of Brando's Oscar in 1973 highlighted the injustices heaped on the first Americans.

Jada Pinkett Smith was among those citing her as an influence during protests against the #OscarsSoWhite dispute in 2016. Equally as important was the way her subsequent battles highlighted how establishment structures tighten to stifle even the most polite forms of resistance. “They should have at least had the courtesy to listen to her.” It takes no radical edge to conclude that racism and sexism were at work here. The actor, nominated for The Godfather, was boycotting the event in protest at Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans. Dispute still rages as to whether “six security men” really had to restrain John Wayne — a 65-year-old man who had recently had a lung removed — from rushing the stage, but the kickback against Littlefeather was real. She was involved with the American Indian Registry for Performing Arts.

Sacheen Littlefeather made Oscar history after a speech on the mistreatment of Native Americans in the movie industry.

The institution [ issued a public apology](/news/2022/8/15/us-film-academy-apologises-to-indigenous-activist-for-oscar-abuse) to Littlefeather for the bad treatment and held a ceremony at its new Los Angeles museum honoring her two weeks ago. Littlefeather, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, subsequently found it difficult to get work in Hollywood, with casting directors warned not to employ her. The American Indian Movement occupied the site in protest of the country’s legacy of anti-Indigenous violence and discrimination.