The Academy Awards has apologized to Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather nearly 50 years after she was booed off the stage. At the 1973 Academy Awards, Littlefeather was heckled as she explained why Marlon Brando had rejected the best actor award for ‘The Godfather’ on his behalf. Littlefeather later said actor John Wayne had to be restrained from physically assaulting her.
“The abuse you endured was unwarranted and unjustified”
The Academy said in a letter dated 18th June that “the abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. The emotional burden because of this statement you 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 letter was signed by the then President of the Academy, David Rubin.
Littlefeather told The Hollywood Reporter that she was “stunned”. “Never thought I’d live to see the day I would be hearing this, experiencing this.” She also said that the apology was given to her privately back in June.
Excerpt from Sacheen’s Oscar speech
“Hello. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I’m Apache and I am president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee. I’m representing Marlon Brando this evening and he has asked me to tell you in a very long speech, which I cannot share with you presently because of time but I will be glad to share with the press afterward, that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award.”
And the reasons for this being are the treatment of Americ Indians today by the film industry– excuse me– 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. Thank you on the behalf of Marlon Brando.”
When she talked about Wounded Knee, it was in reference to a bloody stand-off with federal agents at a Sioux site of paramount importance. For her speech, she was met with boos and some cheers. However, she had to be escorted from the stage for fear of her getting physically assaulted by the actor John Wayne. The actor had to be restrained by six security guards– that was the extent of his anger.
It was broadcasted to 85 million televisions. Following the occasion, some media sources asserted that Littlefeather was not a true Native American but had instead consented to the speech to advance her acting career. She was rumored to be Brando’s mistress. All of those allegations, she told the BBC, were false.
The Academy released the letter as it announced that Littlefeather has been invited to speak at its film museum in Los Angeles next month.
The museum, which opened last September, has pledged to confront the Oscars’ “problematic history” including racism. One display already tackles the harassment of Littlefeather.
The event with Littlefeather dubbed a “very special program of conversation, reflection, healing, and celebration,” will take place on September 17.
