dailyO
Entertainment

Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather dies at 75

Advertisement
Ayaan Paul
Ayaan PaulOct 03, 2022 | 15:35

Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather dies at 75

Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather died at the age of 75 today, in Novato, Northern California, US.

A life of defiance and courage: Having declined Marlon Brando's Oscar at the 45th Academy Awards ceremony 50 years ago, Sacheen Littlefeather leaves behind a legacy of courage and defiance.

  • Marie Louise Cruz, better known as Sacheen Littlefeather, was born in 1946 to a Native American father and European mother. 
  • Littlefeather was involved with indigenous activism from a very young age, having participated in the Native American occupation of the Alcatraz prison in 1969.
Advertisement

She dedicated much of her life as an actress and model towards indigeneous inclusivity in Hollywood, having participated in many Native American representation campaigns.

Littlefeather at a protest in the 70s. Photo: Getty Images

Throwback, Oscars 1973: At the 45th Oscar ceremony in 1973, Littlefeather was to represent Marlon Brando on-stage, were he to win Best Actor. Having declined the award, she addressed the audience with a speech, lending voice to the on-going protests at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

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 afterwards that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry 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 behalf of Marlon Brando.

- - Sacheen Littlefeather's speech at the 45th Academy Awards

Her speech was met with a few cheers, but an overwhelming number of jeers, as well as an almost rabid John Wayne waiting off-stage to pounce on the actress.

Advertisement
  • In the aftermath of the ceremony, Littlefeather’s appearance prompted the Academy to rule out future proxy acceptance of Oscars. According to her, she was blacklisted by Hollywood and received threats.

The Academy makes amends: 50 years after her onstage humiliation at the Oscar ceremony, Native American activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather received a formal apology from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June this year. She then served as guest of honour at an Academy-hosted event just last month, on September 17.

AMPAS President David Ruben also issued a formally drafted apology to Littlefeather in a Statement of Reconciliation dated June 18, 2022.

Terminal illness: Over the years, Littlefeather underwent serious health issues including breast cancer. Last year, she revealed that the cancer had metastasised to her lung and she was terminally ill.

Littlefeather died on Sunday, October 2, at her residence in Novato, Northern California, US, according to a statement sent out by her caretaker.

Last updated: October 03, 2022 | 15:35
IN THIS STORY
    Please log in
    I agree with DailyO's privacy policy