On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we spend the rest of the hour remembering Sacheen Littlefeather. She recently died at the age of 75. In 1973, she took the stage at the Oscars on behalf of Marlon Brando, who boycotted the ceremony to protest Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans. Some members of the audience booed and mocked Littlefeather as she addressed the awards ceremony wearing traditional Apache clothing.
Hello. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I am Apache, and I am president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee. 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. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry — excuse me — and on television in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening, and that we will — in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando.
It was about 20 minutes to 9:00. And here, the security guards found this couple, myself in a buckskin dress and his secretary dressed in an evening gown. We must have looked like the odd couple. I’m sure they were wondering why are we dressed like that and why are we here.
democracynow.org | 2022/10/10