Sacheen Littlefeather Accepts Academy's Apology for Her Treatment at 45th Oscars 'For All of Our Nations'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty

Activist Sacheen Littlefeather attends the SAG President’s National Task Force For American Indians & NBC Universal Premiere Screening Of “Reel indian” & “American Indian Actors” At LA Skins Fest on November 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Sacheen Littlefeatherformally accepted the Academy’s apology for the hostile reception she received during the 45th Oscars in 1973 when she appeared on behalf of winner Marlon Brando.

On Saturday, the actress and activist was honored during an event called “An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather” held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. There, Littlefeather, 75, also participated in a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance.

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Oscars Brando A woman in Native American Indian dress, who indentified herself as Sacheen Littlefeather, tells the audience at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, that Marlon Brando was declining to accept his Oscar as best actor for his role in “The Godfather.” Littlefeather said Brando was protesting “the treatment of the American Indian in motion pictures and on televison, and because of the recent events at Wounded Knee ACADEMY AWARDS BRANDO, LOS ANGELES, USA

She continued, “Now, I would like all the Indian people in this audience to stand. Look at our people, look at each other and be proud that we stand as survivors, all of us.”

“Please, when I’m 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,” she concluded. “I remain Sacheen Littlefeather. Thank you.”

In 1973, Littlefeather stood onthe Oscarsstage on behalf ofMarlon Brandoto turn down his best actor award for his performance inThe Godfather,using the speechto call out the film industry’s mistreatment of Native Americans.

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At the 1973 Academy Awards, Sacheen Littlefeather refuses the Academy Award for Best Actor on behalf of Marlon Brando who won for his role in The Godfather. She carries a letter from Brando in which he explains he refused the award in protest of American treatment of the Native Americans.

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“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.

Littlefeather was in disbelief upon receiving an apology from the Academy in June, tellingThe Hollywood Reporterthat she was “stunned.”

“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 added.

In the letter, 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.”

source: people.com

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