Instead of Brando, Littlefeather appeared on the scene. She was dressed in a costume typical of her country and accompanied by other people from her community. The actress, then 26, took the floor and read a speech on behalf of Marlon Brando, in which the actor explained that he was turning down the award because of the racist way Hollywood portrayed Native Americans on screen and for the repression that a group originally from South Dakota suffered days ago.
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“Unfortunately, I cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this are the treatment that the film industry reserves today to American Indians, and on television in film reruns, and also with the recent events at Wounded Knee. “he had expressed about the state on that occasion.
In response, Littlefeather was whistled by the audience present in the hall. That wasn’t all, said the young woman after the western star John Wayne tried to attack her when he left the stage. That episode cost the actress to be banned from film productions and the Hollywood industry.
An excuse that took 50 years to arrive
weeks ago, almost 50 years later of his appearance at the 1973 Oscars ceremony, the Hollywood Academy paid tribute to Littlefeather and publicly apologized for the treatment she received from that episode and for being demoted from the industry.
During a ceremony held in Los Angeles, the Academy he asked Littlefeathe a public apologyr, which was celebrated by activists at the time but ostracized by film professionals.
“The abuse you suffered for your statements was undeserved and unwarranted. The emotional toll you have had to endure and the toll it has taken on your career in our industry is irreparable. For too long, the courage you have shown has not been recognized. Like this, We extend our sincere apologies and our sincere admiration “, reads the text signed by the president of the Academy, David Rubin.
“It’s never too late to apologize,” Littlefeather replied, adding that “It’s never too late for forgiveness.”
The actress even allowed herself to joke about the Academy’s delay in apologizing. “Indians are very patient people. It’s only been 50 years! “commented.
The remedial acts of the Hollywood Academy
In recent years, the Hollywood Academy proposes to carry out activities and ceremonies with the aim of redressing various reprehensible actions related to discrimination, sexism and racism
In this line, the Oscar Museum, inaugurated in 2021, has among its objectives address the institution’s “troubled history”, including racism. An exhibition deals with the harassment of Littlefeather.
The institution also held events about women who achieved historic milestones at the Academy Awards, such as an interview with Buffy Sainte-Marie, the first indigenous person to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, in 1983.
The Academy also intervened in the face of allegations of lack of racial diversity. In 2019, “The Last of the Mohicans” star Wes Studi became the first Native American actor to receive an Oscar, receiving the honorary Oscar in recognition of his career.
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