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| Ink and Graphite, by Hannah Gray |
In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather made Oscar history when she presented a speech on behalf of actor Marlon Brando and his boycott of the 45th Academy Awards. Wearing Apache dress, she shocked audiences across the country as she explained that Brando would not accept his Best Actor award in protest of the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry, as well as the ongoing government siege against Indian people at Wounded Knee, a town within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
In the early 1970s, Marlon Brando became involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM). In 1973, he wanted to make a statement and draw National attention to the violent crisis of the Wounded Knee Siege. Brando contacted AIM and asked if there was a person that would accept his Oscar for him. Dennis Banks and Russell Means, AIM leaders, chose Sacheen Littlefeather. As a member of Indians of All Tribes, Littlefeather joined other American Indians' rights activists to occupy Alcatraz Island and protest civil rights violations against Indian people. Littlefeather was also an actress, and appeared in various films and television series.
On the night of the Awards, Sacheen Littlefeather intended to read a long, impassioned speech written by Brando; however, backstage the producer threatened to physically remove her or have her arrested if she spoke for more than 60 seconds. On stage, Littlefeather had to improvise her comments. She remained strong and held her ground, despite an angry, booing crowd. Backstage, she shared the entire speech with the press. The incident caused the Academy of Motion Pictures to disallow representative acceptances of Academy Awards from that time forward.
Since that time, Sacheen Littlefeather has been very active in the Native American Bay Area community. She has been a part of numerous cultural events, prayer circles, and powwows. Today, her courage and passion challenge all of us to protest in the name of what is right. She is an activist, a leader, and a symbol of the fight for Native Americans to be treated justly and with respect. This is Sacheen Littlefeather.
I encourage you to learn more about events addressed in this piece:
Additional information on the Wounded Knee Siege, 1973
Additional information on the Occupation of Alcatraz Island
Marlon Brando's full "Unfinished Speech" given to the press by Sacheen Littlefeather
