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ThoughtCo. [Brando] very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. When we think today about his words and what representation meansespecially to childrenone can't help but applaud his willingness to speak out in a time when it wasn't popular to do so. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist and actress who famously declined an Oscar on behalf of actor Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards, has died at 75, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Sunday. Who Is Sacheen Littlefeather? Oscars Controversy Explained - Newsweek Littlefeather was a budding model and actress, and she agreed to represent him. "I was a spokesperson, so to speak, for the stereotype of Native Americans in film and television," she later said. [49][50], In a 2021 interview, Littlefeather said that she got to know Coppola while hiking the hills of San Francisco and she got Brando's address from him. In his original speech as printed by the New York Times, Brando said: True to his political sensibilities, Brando also minced no words about America's treatment of American Indians: Sacheen Littlefeather received phone calls from Coretta Scott King and Cesar Chavez as a result of her intervention at the Academy Awards, congratulating her for what she'd done. Marie Louise Cruz (November 14, 1946 October 2, 2022), better known as Sacheen Littlefeather, was an American actress, model, and activist on behalf of Native American civil rights. Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she - on Brando's behalf - declined the Best Actor award that he won for his performance in The Godfather. He'd also supported Native American causes for years. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The strange, sad tale of Sacheen Littlefeather: Did icon fake a Native American identity? Trouble was brewing even before Littlefeather arrived at the podium. Image of Sacheen Littlefeather standing before an Oscar statue holding Marlon Brando's statement at the 45th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, 1973. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sacheen_Littlefeather&oldid=1140269831, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 08:33. Littlefeather, who just passed away on October 2, 2022 at age 75, was only 26 years old when she took the stage after Brando was announced as the winner of the Best Actor Award. Sacheen Littlefeather, activist who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar She continued her activism for Native American issues including healthcare and unemployment, and produced films about Native Americans. [101] Although St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center did receive an Achievement Citation from the Catholic Health Association of the United States in 1986 for Traditional Indian Medicine's Role in the Carondelet Health System,[102] an article about the award only mentions the initiator of the program, Apache nurse Belinda Acosta, and the program coordinator, Ann Hubbert. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Other claims appear to have been exaggerated or are simply false, including that she worked with Mother Teresa on AIDS patients, that she participated in the Native American protest/occupation at Alcatraz and that John Wayne tried to attack her at her Oscars appearance. [applause][60], Moore escorted Littlefeather off-stage, past several people critical of her, and towards the press. [24], In interviews, Littlefeather said she had a difficult childhood. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group), Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr., Rebecca Brando, Sacheen Littlefeather (born Marie Louise Cruz, 1946 - 2022) and Christian Bale attend the Red Nation Film Festival And Awards Ceremony at Laemmle's Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre on November 15, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. Later, however, he became critical of Israel and supported the Palestinian cause. The Alcatraz Island occupation was two years in the past by March of 1973. [30][31], While living in the San Francisco Bay area in the early 1970s, Littlefeather participated in the 1971 American Indian Festival at Foothill College, judged a local 1972 beauty pageant as "Princess Littlefeather", and organized a 1972 American Indian Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts. Instead, she was given 60 seconds. She delivered a short speech on behalf of Brando declining acceptance of the award. [16][17] She said she had been treated with thorazine and other medications but "mostly stabilized with much help" from the San Francisco Bay Area Native American community. [132] The Pascua Yaqui Tribe stated neither Littlefeather nor her parents were enrolled tribal members. Sister reveals why Sacheen Littlefeather 'lied' about being Apache [45] She continued to pursue acting opportunities, such as touring with the "Red Earth Theater Company". Littlefeather walked onto the stage and raised her hand to decline the Oscar trophy that Moore offered her. [2], In 1974, Littlefeather attended classes at the American Conservatory Theater, studying acting, yoga, fencing, Shakespeare, dancing, and other various skills for her acting career. [40] As a spokesperson for the National American Indian Council, she protested President Richard Nixon's budget cuts to federal Indian programs in February 1973. Since the Native American hasnt been able to hear his voice heard or have his voice heard anywhere in the history of the United States, he shared, I felt that it was a marvelous opportunity for an Indian to be able to voice his opinion to 85 million people and I felt that he had a right to in view of what Hollywood has done to him.. It was around the same time Littlefeather reportedly suffered a breakdown. She added, "We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. In 1973, riding high off the success ofThe Godfather, actor Marlon Brando used his platform to give a voice to Native Americans. The Pascua Yaqui tribe in Arizona told this news organization that Littlefeather wasnt enrolled, while the White Mountain Apache hasnt responded to media inquiries about her membership. [25] In 1988, she stated that her parents lived next door to her maternal grandparents, Marie and Gerold "Barney" Barnitz, while she and her two younger sisters lived with those grandparents. She was accompanied by Brando's secretary, Alice Marchak, and wore an Apache buckskin dress. He clearly understood the effect that this had not only on adults but, in particular, children. [1] After recovering, she received a degree from Antioch University in holistic health and nutrition with an emphasis in Native American medicine, a practice she credited with her recovery. Sacheen Littlefeather died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at her home in Marin County, Calif. She was 75. [76], According to Ann Brebner of the Brebner Agency, which handled Littlefeather's modeling bookings, she was deluged with mail and phone calls after her Oscars appearance, which led to radio and television appearances as well as the opportunity to read for several film roles. Few Academy Awards ceremonies have been as eventful as the one held in 1973, when Marlon Brando sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to explain why he was rejecting his award . Were also on Pinterest, Tumblr, and Flipboard. [5][7] Both Geroldine and Manuel were saddlemakers. [56], At the age of 29 her lungs collapsed. None of Littlefeathers relatives identified as Native American, Keeler said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I'm representing Marlon Brando this evening, and he has asked me to tell you in a very long speech which I cannot share with you presently, because of time, but I will be glad to share with the press afterwards, that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. Native American people were in the bottom strata of all socioeconomic indicators, and it was clear to American Indian youth that change was not going to happen without dramatic action. "[72][71] Michael Caine, the night's co-host, criticized Brando for "letting some poor little Indian girl take the boos" instead of "[standing] up and [doing] it himself". Sacheen Littlefeather, Who Declined Marlon Brando's Oscar In 1973, Has How forward-thinking Brando's decision was and the bravery Littlefeather displayed has only been recently recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Did Sacheen Littlefeather share true story about John Wayne trying to attack her? He was even known to have donated money to the Black Panthers. [18][19] In 1969, she joined the United Bay Indian Council. Sacheen Littlefeather fue la primera mujer nativa americana en subir al escenario de los scar. [4] She said she chose the name Sacheen because that was the name her father called her before he died, and Littlefeather came from the feather she always wore in her hair. When Brando was announced as the winner, Littlefeather took the stage dressed in full native regalia. She made this man out to be a monster. By 1949, they had moved to Salinas and opened up their own business, Cruz Saddlery. Should We Celebrate Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims? The activist had been battling. After the Academy Award speech, Littlefeather worked in hospice care. [57] She also said that media reports published several falsehoods, such as that she was not Native American or had rented the outfit for the occasion. Sacheen Littlefeather - Wikipedia [133] However, on her official website, a response to Ebert's article contradicts the lawyer and states that she was born Marie Cruz. Sacheen Littlefeather holds a written statement from actor Marlon Brando refusing his Best Actor Oscar on stage at the Academy Awards, Los Angeles, California. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry, she said as the audience began to boo, and on television in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.. Two weeks before her death, the Academy honored her at an event called "An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather." ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. [120] Author Tommy Orange was commissioned by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's Open Space platform to write a piece called "Dear Marlon Brando" as part of the magazine Alcatraz Is Not an Island, commemorating the 50th anniversary. And while Brando's motives weren't fully appreciated at the time, today it's clear that he was ahead of his time. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar for him in a memorable 1973 speech, passed away on Sunday. Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she on Brando's behalf declined the Best Actor award that he won for his performance in The Godfather. Marshal Service as the eyes of the nation watched on the evening news. Littlefeathers sisters say those claims are false. Sacheen Littlefeather, who rejected Marlon Brando's Oscar in 1973, says In this combination image, Native American Sacheen Littlefeather speaks at the 45th Academy Awards. ), the co-chair of the Academy's Indigenous Alliance. Attempts were made at non-violent protests the Alcatraz occupation was completely nonviolent although it lasted well over a year but there were times when violence seemed like the only way to bring attention to the problem. The letter, signed by Betty Cooper, director of the American Indian alcoholism program, and Sally Gallegos, director of the Consortium of United Indian Nations, was credited with Mandela's decision to meet with American Indian leaders in October 1990. [20] She claims to have participated part-time in the occupation of Alcatraz in 1970, though this claim has been disputed. 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[124][125][126][5] She stated that she wanted to travel in Europe to "see where the white people came from" just as people are "always going to reservations to see where the Indians came from". Michelle Williams on Oscars Moment That Showed Her It Could 'Have a Receive our Weekly Newsletter. The outlet shared that after the speech, Littlefeather went to Brandos house. Legal Statement. Marlon Brando _ AcademiaLab Helene Hagan, a historian, anthropologist and former longtime friend, believes that Littlefeathers Native American claims and delusions of being a suffering, victimized woman began around this time. The allegations emerged into public view in October when Native American journalist Jacqueline Keeler published an investigation into the Mexican ancestry of Littlefeathers California-born father, Manuel Cruz. Sacheen Littlefeather, Native American civil rights activist who En marzo de 1973 la actriz y activista indgena Sacheen Littlefeather se present en la gala de los Premios scar y declin sostener la estatuilla que haba ganado Marlon Brando por su papel de Vito Corleone en El Padrino . Bettmann via. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images), It was mortifying, said Cruz, of Lake County, Montana, of the Oscars appearance. Academy Apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather for 'Mistreatment' Upon Turning Down Marlon Brando's Oscar Littlefeather was asked by Best Actor winner Brando to turn down the award in 1973. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images), LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Activist Sacheen Littlefeather (L) and producer of the movie Christina Fon (R) attend the Q&A at the SAG President's National Task Force For American Indians & NBC Universal Premiere Screening Of "Reel indian" & "American Indian Actors" At LA Skins Fest on November 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. She had been battling breast cancer since 2018, and the disease metastasized to other parts of her body. Market data provided by Factset. [118], In November 2019 she received the Brando Award, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to the American Indian, from the Red Nation International Film Festival. However, Littlefeather claimed she felt "abandoned" by Brando when she was faced withthe intense backlash. She famously rejected an Oscar on Marlon Brando's behalf in 1973 due, in part, to "the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry on television [and] in movie reruns," and was blacklisted by Hollywood as a result. All rights reserved. Sacheen Littlefeather, the actor and activist who declined Marlon Brando's 1973 Academy Award for "The Godfather" on his behalf in an indelible protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native. Famous Last Words: Fictional Characters, Books and Plays, Biography of Charlie Chaplin, Legendary Movie Comedian, M.A., American Studies, University of New Mexico, B.A., Native American Studies, University of New Mexico. Littlefeather passed away on Oct. 2 at the age of 75. After Littlefeathers sisters learned about her death, they went public with their fraud allegations because, they said, their sisters lies maligned their parents, Manuel and Geroldine Cruz. [23] She played the role of Paleflower in Winterhawk, filmed in Kalispell, Montana. The registry was founded in the early 1980s by Muscogee actor Will Sampson, who worked with the American Native Association to publish a directory of American Indians in the arts and entertainment fields. Legal Statement. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. [128], In 2018, Littlefeather developed stage IV breast cancer,[129] a recurrence of the breast cancer from which she was reported to be in remission in 2012. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist Marlon Brando sent to the 1973 Academy Awards to decline the lead actor Oscar he won for "The Godfather," died Sunday at age 75.. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Sacheen Littlefeather, Activist Who Took the Stage to Decline Marlon Then came Marlon Brando to bring it all to center stage quite literally. Martha Ross is a Bay Area News Group features writer for The Mercury News and East Bay Times who covers everything and anything related to popular culture, society, health, womens issues and families. It's disgusting to the heritage of the tribal people. "[86], Littlefeather was described as a founding member of the Red Earth Indian Theater Company in Seattle when awarded an Eagle Spirit Award (Honorary) at the 2013 American Indian Film Festival. She committed herself to other health education work as well and worked with Mother Theresa doing hospice care for AIDS patients. In June, the. FILE - Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist, tells the audience at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, March 27, 1973, that Marlon Brando was declining to accept his. [63][64][65][66][67] This claim has since been disputed by film historian Farran Nehme and biographer Scott Eyman. The caller was Marlon Brando, she told her younger sister, Trudy Orlandi, and he had asked Littlefeather to appear on his behalf at the Academy Awards the following night, in case he won the best actor award for The Godfather.. She can rest assured that no one will take her bravery that night for granted; and long after her passing, she will continue to be a shining example for others. or redistributed. [103] Littlefeather also described herself as one of the original teachers in St. Mary's Traditional Indian Medicine program,[5][104] which consisted of a series of conferences held between 1984 and 1990 and was coordinated by Comanche medicine man Edgar Monetathchi, Jr, who worked for the Indian Health Service and was the first medicine man to be employed full-time by a Catholic hospital. However, Littlefeather admitted that the praise was bittersweet. [96], She continued doing activism and became a respected member of California's Native American community. https://www.thoughtco.com/sacheen-littlefeather-academy-awards-2477981 (accessed March 4, 2023). In a 1974 interview, she stated that her mother left her father when she was 4 and took her to live with her maternal grandparents. FILE - Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist, tells the audience at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, March 27, 1973, that Marlon Brando was declining to accept his Oscar as best actor for his role in "The Godfather." [99] In the 1980s, she led prayer circles for Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American Catholic saint. Entertainment | Deviating from the prepared speech, she said the following:[60], Hello. She spent a year in Agnews Insane Asylum in Santa Claraand was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can include mood swings, hallucinations and delusions. At the 1973 Academy Awards, Sacheen Littlefeather refused the Academy Award for Best Actor on behalf of Marlon Brando who won for his role in The Godfather. [81][82], Coretta Scott King commended Brando for his non-violent stand, stating, "It is gratifying to see people in entertainment increasingly concerned about injustices in society and not just interested in making money. [21] Around this time she adopted the name Sacheen Littlefeather. Littlefeather, who appeared nervous during her speech and was booed by a few attendees, received both harassment and praise after the event. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [20] In 1970, as "Sacheen Littlefeather of Alcatraz", she was named Miss Vampire USA, a promotion for House of Dark Shadows. Littlefeather said her father was of Apache and Yaqui ancestry[1] and her mother was of European descent. [122], In 1973, Littlefeather was married to engineer Michael Rubio. "[71] When Clint Eastwood began presenting the Best Picture award, he joked, "I don't know if I should present this award on behalf of all the cowboys shot in all the John Ford Westerns over the years. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Marlon Brando, Littlefeather, and the Academy Awards - ThoughtCo Sacheen Littlefeather gets apology for abuse by John Wayne, others at 1973 Oscars 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [111] In 1990, it was reported that Littlefeather's brother had died of AIDS. "He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award," she said , citing "the treatment of American Indians today" by the film and television industry. [92] She served as an advisor to PBS's Dance in America: Song for Dead Warriors (1984), which earned its choreographer, Michael Smuin, an Emmy Award. Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar, dies at 75 Did Sacheen Littlefeather share true story about John Wayne trying to attack her? [84], In June 2022, the Academy sent Littlefeather a statement of apology, in which the organization's then-president David Rubin wrote: "The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. [9][8] Geroldine Cruz continued to operate the business after her husband's death in 1966.