Photo: Bettmann Archive
Sacheen Littlefeatheris finally getting what she deserves.
In 1973, Littlefeather stood on the Oscar stage on behalf ofMarlon Brandoto turn down his Best Actor award for his performance inThe Godfather,using the opportunityto call out the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans.
The protest garnered mixed reactions from the audience, in addition to threats from the Academy and celebrities in attendance. For Littlefeather, her stand was detrimental to her acting career and negatively affected her life in the immediate wake of the event.
Though Littlefeather never thought she’d be granted an apology in her lifetime, the Academy is gearing up to issue her one in full while honoring her at the institution’s evening of reflection on Sept. 17.
Prior to the event, the Academy’s then-president penned Littlefeather a private apology letter in June. The letter’s entirety will be shared during the ceremony, while a conversation between the activist and the co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance will be had.
From what happened at the 1973 Oscars to the fallout that occurred afterward, here’s everything to know about Littlefeather’s experience with the Academy.
Why did Sacheen Littlefeather accept the Oscar for Marlon Brando in 1973?
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At the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, Brando won Best Actor for his performance inThe Godfather, but in an effort to protest the siege at Wounded Knee that began a month prior — in addition to the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans — the actor sent Littlefeather in his place.
As the president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee, Littlefeather took the podium under strict guidelines. Per Brando’s instruction, she wasn’t to touch the statuette. The show’s producer, Howard Koch, also told her to keep the speech to 60 seconds.
“You know, I never stood up onstage in 1973 for any kind of accolades,” she toldTHRalmost 50 years later. “I only stood there because my ancestors were with me, and I spoke the truth.”
What did Sacheen Littlefeather say in the acceptance speech?
Bettmann Archive
Although Brando provided Littlefeather with a 15-page speech to read on his behalf, she was forced to improvise due to the unexpected time limit disclosed minutes prior to the award presentation. (She saved the written words for the press room after.)
Drawing a mix of “boos” and applause from the audience, Littlefeather continued: “And on television in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity.”
How did the Academy mistreat Sacheen Littlefeather?
Michael Ochs Archvies/Getty
In addition to being threatened with arrest if her speech went over 60 seconds, as well as attempted physical violence from John Wayne — who she saidattempted to storm the stage— Littlefeather has since faced public mockery over the years for the historic moment.
In 1990, Littlefeatherspoke to PEOPLEabout the fallout she faced in response to her Oscars moment. “I’m officially retired as the refuser of Academy Awards,” she said, noting that the speech killed her career in Hollywood.
“I went up there thinking I could make a difference,” explained Littlefeather. “I was very naive. I told people about oppression. They said, ‘You’re ruining our evening.’ "
“In addition, other people were let on talk shows likeJohnny Carson,Merv Griffin, and other popular talk shows. They could go on there and talk about me, but I was never allowed to go on them and represent myself,” she said.
Why is the Academy apologizing nearly 50 years later?
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is set to publicly apologize to Littlefeather nearly 50 years after she faced mistreatment from the institution at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973.
First issued privately to Littlefeather in June, the apology letter was penned ahead of the Academy’s evening of reflection set to occur on Sept. 17 at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles.
Then-Academy president David Rubin wrote in part: “The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.”
The activist is set to return as the institution’s invited guest of honor. Not only will the letter be read in full (and a formal apology be given), but Littlefeather will participate in a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance.
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Did Sacheen Littlefeather accept the Academy’s apology?
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Littlefeather was in disbelief upon receiving an apology from the Academy, tellingTHRthat she was “stunned.” She added, “I never thought I’d live to see the day I would be hearing this, experiencing this. When I was at the podium in 1973, I stood there alone,” she recalled of her Oscar moment.
The activist lost her husband Charles Koshiway to blood cancer last November. “His spirit is still here with me, and I know that what he wanted for me was always justice and reconciliation,” she said.
What has Sacheen Littlefeather said about John Wayne’s attempted attack?
In 2004, Littlefeather recalled the events that took place involving Wayne’s attempted attack on her while she was on stage. But recently, sherevealed further details from that nightin an interview withVariety.
She then called it “the most violent moment that had ever taken place at the Academy Awards.”
source: people.com
