by Robecca Leyden and Anne-Marie Jones

In 1973, Marlon Brando was awarded the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Godfather. He chose to decline his award, sending Sacheen Lightfeather in his place where she made a speech announcing Brando’s stance was due to “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry … and on television, in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.” (This was an ongoing two-month occupation of the site of the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre by the American Indian Movement (AIM)).

This was not well-received by the audience, and John Wayne had to be restrained by security guards backstage to prevent him assaulting her.

This week, Lightfeather has been given a statement of reconciliation.

“The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. The emotional burden you have 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 organisation (AMPAS) 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, now 75, responded by saying: “Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people – it’s only been 50 years! We need to keep our sense of humour about this at all times. It’s our method of survival.”

“I never thought I’d live to see the day,” she added. This is a dream come true. It is profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago.”

In recent years, Sacheen Lightfeather has colon cancer and breast cancer, and in 2021 her breast cancer metastasised into her right lung.

Edit – Sacheen Lightfeather passed away on 2nd October 2022 – R.I.P.