Sashen Littlefeather apologizes for abuse at 1973 Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesformally At the Academy Awards, the Native American actress and civil rights activist was the target of boos and ridicule after she declined the Best Actor award on behalf of Marlon Brando.

"The abuse you suffered because of this statement was unjust and unjustified," Academy President David Rubin said in a statement sent to Littefeather in June and posted on the Academy's website Monday. In a "settlement statement" posted on the site, he wrote. Courage has gone unrecognized for far too long, and for this we offer both our heartfelt apologies and our heartfelt admiration.”

has taken a toll on Littlefeather's personal and professional life.

"As a result, Sachen has been professionally boycotted and personally harassed, attacked and discriminated against for the past 50 years," said Rubin. is writing

Brando was nominated and widely expected to win an award for her performance in "The Godfather." Littlefeather said in a strictly timed 60-second speech at the 45th Annual Academy Awards, which he attended at Brand's request, the actor said, "It is with great regret that I am unable to accept this very generous award and why lies in the treatment of American Indians today." The film industry...and recent events on television, in film reruns, and Wounded Knee." 

Audiences could hear booing during her speech, and Littlefeather claims she was even physically threatened by prominent Western film actor John Wayne. 

In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, her Littlefeather, now 75, said: On stage, he had to be restrained by six security guards to prevent him from doing so.Littlefeather also told The Guardian that when she arrived backstage, people were stereotyped

In addition to the abuse she suffered that night, Littlefeather's status as a Native American was also questioned. and vicious rumors circulated about her identity over the years.

 According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jacqueline Her Stewart, director and president of the Academy Her Museum, visited her home in Littlefeather in June, where she I read the letter aloud and gave Littlefeather a framed copy of my apology. She recorded a video of the event held at the museum with Littlefeather. According to Her Hollywood Reporter, after hearing her apology, Littlefeather said:

"I never thought I would be alive until the day I heard this," she added. "...I stood alone when I stood on the podium in 1973."

Although it took decades to receive her apology, Littlefeather handled the situation with nimbleness. did. "We Indians are very patient people when it comes to the Academy's apology to me - it's only been 50 years," she said, according to a statement from the Academy. You should always keep a sense of humor about this,” added Littlefeather. "That's how we survive."