Littlefeather made history as the first Native American woman to stand on the Oscars stage when she turned down the Academy Award for Best Actor on behalf of “The Godfather” winner Marlon Brando. At the time, the controversial statement incited both booing and cheering at the awards ceremony. “I focused in on the mouths and the jaws that were dropping open in the audience, and there were quite a few,” Littlefeather recalled in an interview with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “But it was like looking into a sea of Clorox, you know, there were very few people of color in the audience. And I just took a deep breath, put my head down for a second, and then, when they quieted down, I continued.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently issued a formal apology to Littlefeather for the “unwarranted and unjustified” reaction at the ceremony almost a half-century prior. “The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable,” the Academy penned. “For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.” Related Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions What Does the SAG Ensemble Award Say About the Best Picture Race? Related 2023 Oscars: ‘Avatar’ Is the One to Beat in Visual Effects Influential Awards Bodies Reshape 2023 Best Documentary Feature Race
Yet it was one Academy member whom Littlefeather distinctly remembers had a violent reaction to her speech citing the mistreatment of Native people by the film industry and the protest at Wounded Knee. Western genre star John Wayne approached Littlefeather after she left the stage, leading Littlefeather to fear for her safety. “[John Wayne] did not like what I was saying up at the podium,” Littlefeather explained. “So, he came forth in a rage to physically assault and take me off the stage. And he had to be restrained by six security men in order for that not to happen.” As for other attendees, Littlefeather said, “It was interesting because some people were giving me the tomahawk chop. I thought, ‘This is very racist. Very racist indeed.’ And I just gracefully walked and ignored them.” Littlefeather exited the premises with two armed guards. Now, Littlefeather is set to join the Academy September 17 for a special program and conversation titled “An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather” as part of a celebration for “an evening of healing and Indigenous celebration” hosted by the Academy Museum in Los Angeles. “We are delighted and humbled that Sacheen has so generously chosen to engage with the museum and Academy to reflect upon her trying experience at the 1973 Academy Awards,” Jacqueline Stewart, director and president of the Academy Museum, said. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.