The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that oversees the Oscars, has issued a formal apology to Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who appeared at the 1973 Academy Awards ceremony as part of Marlon Brando’s refusal to accept his award. 50 years later, the body apologizes for the “disproportionate and unjustified” response at the gala.
retroactive apologies
Brando received the Oscar for best actor for his role as Vito Corleone in ‘The Godfather’, but did not attend as a protest in support of Native American rights, in part inspired by the occupation of the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre site. by the American Indian Movement (AIM). Littlefeather refused to accept the statuette from presenters Roger Moore and Liv Ullmann, and gave a short speech, in which he said that Brando’s stance was due to:
“Treatment of American Indians today in the motion picture industry…and on television, in reruns of movies, and also with recent events at Wounded Knee.”
The reaction was quite embarrassing, and the speech was met with boos from the audience, with Littlefeather, then 26, later reporting that backstage security guards they had to hold the actor John Wayne so he wouldn’t attack her, while other people backstage made offensive gestures. “During my performance, he came towards me to force me off the stage, and six security men had to hold him down to prevent him from doing so.“.
Ampas has issued a reconciliation statement signed by its president, David Rubin, which describes his appearance as:
“A powerful statement that continues to remind us of the need for respect and the importance of human dignity. The abuse he endured because of this statement was disproportionate and unwarranted. The emotional toll she has endured and the cost of her own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has gone unrecognized. For this, we offer our deepest apologies and sincere admiration.”
The organization has also planned an evening of “conversation, reflection, healing and celebration,” including an appearance by Littlefeather with Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance. Littlefeather, who is now 75 years old, replied:
“Regarding the apology from the Academy, we Indians are very patient people, it’s only been 50 years! We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It is our method of survival. I never thought I would live to see the day, this is a dream come true. It’s deeply encouraging to see how much everything has changed since I didn’t accept the Academy Award 50 years ago.”
Littlefeather arrived at the ceremony just minutes before the award was announced from Brando, who had given her an eight-page speech to read if she won. However, the director of the program, Howard Koch, told him that he could only count on 60 seconds, so he improvised a speech, he had promised Brando that he would not touch the statuette. “I went up there as a warrior woman. I went up there with the grace and beauty and courage and humility of my people. I spoke from my heart”.