75 years old, Native American civil rights leader Sacheen Littlefeather has died
Activist for Native American civil rights Sacheen Littlefeather passes away at age 75 00:50
Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American civil rights activist best known for turning down Marlon Brando’s best actor Oscar for “The Godfather” in 1973, has passed away at the age of 75, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and her family confirmed late Sunday.
Her relatives reported she was suffering from breast cancer.
In a tweet announcing her passing, the academy reported her as stating, “Always remember that when you stand for the truth, you will be keeping my voice and the voices of our nations and peoples alive. I continue to be Sacheen Littlefeather. Thank you.”
75-year-old Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American civil rights leader who famously turned down Marlon Brando’s 1973 Academy Award for Best Actor, has died.
twitter.com/OlpsoItlCw
3.10.2022 — The Academy (@TheAcademy)
Littlefeather, wearing a buckskin dress and moccasins, was the first Native American woman to enter the stage at the Academy Awards in October 1973.
In a 60-second address, she stated that Brando could not receive the honor.
Her family stated on Sunday that Littlefeather declined the Oscar on Brando’s behalf to “stop the stereotype of Native Americans in the film, television, and sports industries.”
The statement said, “As a result, Sacheen was professionally boycotted, personally tormented and abused, and discriminated against for nearly 50 years.”
She was jeered by some Oscars audience members. Reportedly, John Wayne, who was backstage, was enraged.
And in a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Littlefeather stated, “During my presentation, [Wayne] attempted to physically remove me from the platform, and six security guards were required to stop him.”
She also told The Guardian that when she arrived backstage, individuals imitated clichéd war screams and made obscene hand gestures.
The Oscars of 1973 were hosted in South Dakota during the American Indian Movement’s two-month occupation of Wounded Knee.
Native American Sacheen Littlefeather declined Marlon Brando’s nomination for best actor at the 45th Academy Awards in October 1973. Bettmann via Getty Images
In a June letter from then-Academy President David Rubin, the Academy formally apologized for Hollywood’s treatment of her.
Rubin stated, “The abuse you received as a result of this statement was unfair and unjustified.” “The emotional toll you have borne and the damage to your career in our field are irreparable. Your bravery has remained unrecognized for far too long. We extend our heartfelt apologies and sincere admiration for this.”
Littlefeather stated in a statement that it was “very encouraging to see how much has changed since I declined the Academy Award 50 years ago.”
In September, a “heartfelt honoring” was conducted at the Academy Museum’s David Geffen Theater in Los Angeles “with a sold-out audience.”
“Even though many people judged Sacheen and treated her negatively, she forgave them all, did not carry grudges, and carried on with her life in a positive manner, demonstrating love and forgiveness to everyone,” her family stated.
According to her relatives, Littlefeather was a model and actress noted for her performances in the 1974 film Billy Jack, the 1975 film Winterhawk, the 2010 film Reel Injun, and the 2018 film Sacheen: Breaking The Silence.
Littlefeather’s Requiem Mass is scheduled for later this month at St. Rita Church in Fairfax, California.