Sacheen Littlefeather’s performance at the 1973 Academy Awards was met with boos. And even after that, the indigenous activist was exposed to severe hostilities.
Los Angeles – After nearly 50 years, the Oscar Academy has apologized to actress and Indigenous activist Sacheen Littlefeather for the reactions to her performance at the 1973 Academy Awards.
At the time, actor Marlon Brando, who was to receive an Oscar for best actor in The Godfather, had sent the 26-year-old on stage in his place to deliver a message and decline the award.
Littlefeather has endured “unfounded and unjustified” abuse for this message, which addressed the misrepresentation of Native Americans in the US film industry, and has not received recognition for her courage for too long, the letter, signed by Academy President David Rubin, said . “For that we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.”
The letter, already sent out in June, was published by the film association on Monday (local time) together with the announcement of a discussion evening with Littlefeather on September 17th.
The speech delivered stated that awards should not be accepted in this country until the living conditions of Native Americans have drastically improved. Littlefeather left the stage to boos. After that, she repeatedly experienced hostilities. She’s also had to put up with rumors that she was only using the limelight to boost her career or that she wasn’t really Native American at all, the BBC reported.
“We native people are very patient people – it’s only been 50 years!” Littlefeather responded to the apology, according to the film academy. “We must maintain our sense of humor at all times. That is our survival strategy.” dpa
