Academy apologizes to indigenous star for historic Oscars abuse

Issued on: 15/08/2022 -

Sacheen Littlefeather (L), who is Apache and Yauqui, was heckled at the 1973 Academy Awards while explaining why an absent Brando could not accept his best actor Oscar VALERIE MACON GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

Los Angeles (AFP) – Nearly 50 years after she was booed off the Oscars stage for declining Marlon Brando's award on his behalf in protest at the film industry's treatment of Native Americans, Sacheen Littlefeather has received an apology from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group said Monday.

Littlefeather, who is Apache and Yauqui, was heckled at the 1973 Academy Awards while explaining why an absent Brando could not accept his best actor Oscar for "The Godfather."

Brando had asked Littlefeather to decline the award for him in an act of protest against the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry.

She later said veteran Western star John Wayne had to be restrained from physically assaulting her by security guards, in an incident that has since drawn comparisons with Will Smith's infamous attack on Chris Rock at this year's ceremony.

"The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified," said the apology letter sent in June from then-Academy president David Rubin.

"The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable.#photo1

"For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration."

The Academy released the letter as it announced that Littlefeather has been invited to speak at its recently opened film museum in Los Angeles next month.

The museum, which opened last September, has pledged to confront the Oscars' "problematic history" including racism. One display already tackles the harassment of Littlefeather.

"Regarding the Academy's apology to me, we Indians are very patient people -- it's only been 50 years!" Littlefeather said in a statement.

"We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It's our method of survival," said Littlefeather, describing the upcoming event as "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. I am so proud of each and every person who will appear on stage," she added.

The Academy has moved to confront accusations of a lack of racial diversity in recent years.

In 2019, "Last of the Mohicans" star Wes Studi became the first Native American actor to receive an Oscar, with an honorary Academy Award recognizing his career.

The upcoming event with Littlefeather, dubbed a "very special program of conversation, reflection, healing, and celebration," will take place September 17.

© 2022 AFP