Sacheen Littlefeather and Anti-Indigenous Racism in the Film Industry
August 16th, 2022
Estimated Reading Time: 3.5 minutes
Introduction:
Almost 50 years ago, in 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather took to the stage at the Oscars to deliver a speech that Marlon Brando, who won the best actor award for his role in The Godfather could not accept the award due to the mistreatment and racism against Indigenous peoples in the film industry.
“Her speech also drew attention to the standoff a month before in the South Dakota town of Wounded Knee, where American Indian Movement activists protested the treatment of Native Americans. The U.S. Department of Justice had previously imposed a media blackout on the issue.” (People Magazine)
"You know, I never stood up onstage in 1973 for any kind of accolades. I only stood there because my ancestors were with me, and I spoke the truth."
-Sacheen Littlefeather
Racist Backlash:
Upon delivering this speech, Sacheen was faced with inexcusable racism, as some audience members began to boo her, and John Wayne, backstage at the time, reportedly furiously threatened to storm the stage, so much so that he was restrained from physically attacking her. Since then, Sacheen has been publicly mocked and harassed for years since this event.
She also noted that this speech essentially killed her career in Hollywood. While Sacheen had acted in a few films prior to this event, she stated that the federal government threatened to shut down any talk shows or productions that put her on the air.
"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.'"
Academy Awards: Apology Issued
On June 18th, nearly 50 years afterward, The Academy Museum sent a letter of apology to Sacheen Littlefeather:
"The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified," wrote David Rubin, then Academy president. "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."
Below is the full statement of apology addressed to Sacheen Littlefeather:
June 18, 2022
Dear Sacheen Littlefeather,
I write to you today a letter that has been a long time coming on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with humble acknowledgment of your experience at the 45th Academy Awards.
As you stood on the Oscars stage in 1973 to not accept the Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando, in recognition of the misrepresentation and mistreatment of Native American people by the film industry, you made a powerful statement that continues to remind us of the necessity of respect and the importance of human dignity.
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.
We cannot realize the Academy's mission to "inspire imagination and connect the world through cinema" without a commitment to facilitating the broadest representation and inclusion reflective of our diverse global population.
Today, nearly 50 years later, and with the guidance of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance, we are firm in our commitment to ensuring indigenous voices—the original storytellers—are visible, respected contributors to the global film community. We are dedicated to fostering a more inclusive, respectful industry that leverages a balance of art and activism to be a driving force for progress.
We hope you receive this letter in the spirit of reconciliation and as recognition of your essential role in our journey as an organization. You are forever respectfully engrained in our history.
With warmest regards,
David Rubin
President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
"I 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 [Sacheen] said in response.
“Littlefeather will be honored during an event on Sept. 17 at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, where the statement of apology will be read in full, and she will participate in a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy's Indigenous Alliance.” (People Magazine)
"I felt that there should be Native people, Black people, Asian people, Chicano people — I felt there should be an inclusion of everyone," said Littlefeather. "A rainbow of people that should be involved in creating their own image."
