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And White Mountain Apache? The actress, who had breast cancer, died on Sunday . Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for The Godfather on his behalf in 1973, has died aged 75. Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar win for "The Godfather" | Sacheen In 1973, Marlon Brando was awarded Best Actor at the Academy Awards, but he wasn't at the ceremony to accept it. [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. [5], In 1972, Brando played Vito Corleone in The Godfather, which many critics consider one of the greatest films of all time. At the time of the Oscars, she had known Brando for nearly a year. 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 . [109][110] She campaigned against obesity, alcoholism, and diabetes, and specifically assisted Native Americans with AIDS. Her research, which included records going back to 1850, uncovered no ties between the Cruz family of Mexico and the White Mountain Apache and Yaqui tribes. [130][131], Following Littlefeather's death, Navajo author Jacqueline Keeler interviewed Littlefeather's biological sisters Rosalind Cruz and Trudy Orlandi, who say their family did not have Native American ancestry. Littlefeather was a budding model and actress, and she agreed to represent him. Maybe she didnt have the piece of paper to prove it, but theres no doubt about who she was., Other scholars and activists say Littlefeathers alleged fraud was an open secret for years, and that she obscured, embellished or fabricated biographical details. The Native American actor and activist has died of breast cancer at age 75. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. [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. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sacheen-littlefeather-academy-awards-2477981. 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." ", "She Crashed the Academy, Now Playboy Magazine", "Littlefeather and Girls-Make-Up for Minorities", "Native Daughter: Sacheen Littlefeather Helped Turn Things Around", "Sacheen Littlefeather, Marlon Brando's one-time Oscars accomplice, on how Hollywood has changed", "The unbelievable story of Why Marlon Brando rejected his 1973 Oscar for 'The Godfather', "43 years later, Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather reflects on rejecting Marlon Brando's Oscar", "Marlon Brando's Oscar win for "The Godfather", "How Roger Moore Assisted Sacheen Littlefeather In Her Blind Date With History", "Sacheen Littlefeather: Oscars apologises to actress after 50 years", "And The Award For Most Unusual Happening During An Oscar Presentation Goes To (breathless pause)", "scott's world: Best Oscar audience performance", "Column: Did John Wayne try to assault Sacheen Littlefeather at the 1973 Oscars? Littlefeather walked onto the stage and raised her hand to decline the Oscar trophy that Moore offered her. 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 . She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA degree in German studies and from Mills College with a MFA degree in creative writing and English. Since Littlefeathers death in Novato on Oct. 2 at age 75, Orlandi, 72, and another sister, Rosalind Cruz, 65, have ignited an uproar in Native American circles by alleging their estranged activist sister spent 50 years faking an identity as White Mountain Apache and Yaqui. "I was blacklisted or, you could say, redlisted," she explained. Meanwhile, the Vietnam War showed no end in sight despite massive protests. The lawyer's letter claimed that Cruz was her married name. [23] Later accounts describe Coppola as Littlefeather's neighbor in San Francisco. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal), Trudy Orlandi, with a 2nd grade portrait of her sister Maria Cruz, talks at her home in Marin County, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, about the woman who would later become famous as the Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. [95] As the director of the First Nation Education Resource Center in San Francisco, Littlefeather commented on a letter from two American Indians in Oakland that was handed to Nelson Mandela, stating that the letter outlined problems facing American Indians, including healthcare and unemployment. Geroldine Cruz was not a battered wife or mentally ill, and their hearing-impaired father never touched alcohol or abused his children. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images), It was mortifying, said Cruz, of Lake County, Montana, of the Oscars appearance. "Brando, Littlefeather, and the Academy Awards." I never saw my sister being beaten by my dad. Sacheen Littlefeathers work on famed San Francisco ballet among suspect claims 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. Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined Brando's Oscar, dies at 75 : NPR [68][69] At a later press conference, Littlefeather read to journalists the speech that Brando had prepared; The New York Times published the full text the next day. She was blacklisted in Hollywood. Dina Gilo-Whitaker is a lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos. ', (Photo by Beck Starr/FilmMagic/Getty Images), Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for April 25, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves take bumpy second flight after 'CHAOS' on Lufthansa plane: 'Wish me luck', Kelsey Grammer wont apologize for the 'difference' that Jesus has made in his life, Person roaming in 'Scream' Ghostface costume prompts multiple police calls, Kelsea Ballerini kisses Chase Stokes after criticizing ex amid nasty divorce, Why Kevin Bacon refuses to share the secret to his 35-year marriage to Kyra Sedgwick. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando. [9][8] Geroldine Cruz continued to operate the business after her husband's death in 1966. [6][5][7] Littlefeather's father was Manuel Ybarra Cruz of Oxnard, California,[8] who Littlefeather identified as having White Mountain Apache and Yaqui ancestry. Keeler is known for her aggressive efforts to out alleged Pretendians, people who falsely claim to be Native American. All rights reserved. In an email to The Times, Littlefeather's family confirmed her death, saying she died peacefully, surrounded by . [56], At the age of 29 her lungs collapsed. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Littlefeather and a handful of other Native American women had posed for Playboy in 1972, but the photos were never been published until October 1973, not long after the Academy Awards incident. [Brando] very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. But the next night, Orlandi watched on live TV as Sacheen stoically ascended the Oscars stage in a buckskin dress and told a global audience of 85 million that she was Apache. Sacheen Littlefeather stunned Hollywood when she was sent on behalf of Marlon Brando to reject his 1973 Oscar for best actor in "The Godfather." (Bettmann via Getty Images). By 1949, they had moved to Salinas and opened up their own business, Cruz Saddlery. Some felt that Brando was making a mockery of the awards, while others felt that he was jumping on a social cause bandwagon. A few months after the Academy Awards, Brando was a guest on The Dick Cavett Show, where he eloquently explained his position and showed no regrets for asking Littlefeather to attend the Oscars. "Brando, Littlefeather, and the Academy Awards." Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the Oscars, Williams, 42, recalls seeing a clip of Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather appearing on behalf of The Godfather winner Marlon Brando during the . He clearly understood the effect that this had not only on adults but, in particular, children. All rights reserved. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images), "The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified," David Rubin, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, wrote to Littefeather. "[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. Sacheen Littlefeather, The Activist Who Declined Marlin Brando's Oscar Marlon Brando _ AcademiaLab Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for "The Godfather" on his behalf at the 1973 Academy Awards, died Sunday, the Academy of Motion Pictures said. 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," she said, referencing the Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973. Academy apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather for treatment when she [56] In 1974, she stated that Marlon Brando sent her to a doctor when she was in a lot of pain and helped her recover, so she made the Oscar speech to repay him. Marlon Brando Jr. (Omaha, Nebraska, April 3, 1924-Los Angeles, California, July 1, 2004) was an American film and theater actor. Want to advertise with us? Fox News Flash top headlines for October 2, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves take bumpy second flight after 'CHAOS' on Lufthansa plane: 'Wish me luck', Kelsey Grammer wont apologize for the 'difference' that Jesus has made in his life, Person roaming in 'Scream' Ghostface costume prompts multiple police calls, Kelsea Ballerini kisses Chase Stokes after criticizing ex amid nasty divorce, Why Kevin Bacon refuses to share the secret to his 35-year marriage to Kyra Sedgwick. [1], Littlefeather died at her home in Novato, California, on October 2, 2022, at the age of 75. [61] Littlefeather stated in 2022 that some people mockingly used the tomahawk chop towards her as she was led by. [7] She said in a 2021 interview that the cancer had metastasized to her right lung and that she was terminal. Littlefeather, a White Mountain Apache, said Brando was "delighted" by the performance, which was a protest he supported on the depiction of Native Americans by the film industry, Deadlinereported on Monday. [105][106][107], In 1988, she served as the secretary and community member-at-large on the interim board of directors of the American Indian AIDS Institute of San Francisco. Sacheen Littlefeather made history in 1973 when she turned down the Academy Award for Best Actor on behalf of "The Godfather" winner Marlon Brando.Almost 50 years later, Indigenous activist . "When I am gone, always be reminded that whenever you stand for your truth, you will be keeping my voice and the voices of our nations and our people alive," the quote read. Sacheen Littlefeather addressing the 45th Academy Awards in October 1973, declining Marlon Brando's Oscar for best actor on his behalf. Market data provided by Factset. [5], Over the years, Littlefeather described her personal experiences with serious health issues, including internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, and cancer. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! [73][100], A 1987 profile of Littlefeather stated that she was a recipient of the 1986 Traditional Indian Medicine Achievement Award for her participation in the Traditional Indian Medicine Program at St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. A shocking moment in Oscars history, 50 years on - BBC Culture (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group), Trudy Orlandi remembers her late sister Maria Cruz, the woman who would later become famous as Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather, during an interview at her home in Marin County, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Learn How Marlon Brando & Sacheen Littlefeather Stood Up to Hollywood 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. None of Littlefeathers relatives identified as Native American, Keeler said. [18][19] In 1969, she joined the United Bay Indian Council. Sacheen Littlefeather faked Native American ancestry say family 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. Sacheen Littlefeather's sisters claim she wasn't Native American She wore a buckskin dress and moccasins. [36] A year later in October 1973, after her Academy Award appearance fame, they ran the photographs of Littlefeather as a stand-alone feature. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images). [5] In an interview after her Academy Awards appearance, Fortunate Eagle confirmed that Littlefeather had supported the protest at Alcatraz;[22] According to Keeler's 2022 article published after Littlefeather's death, activist LaNada War Jack, who was at Alcatraz, said Littlefeather was not there. She was 75 years old.. Sacheen Littlefeather refuses to accept the Best Actor Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando for his performance in "The Godfather" at the 45th annual Academy Awards in 1973. Canby has started an oral history project with Native American elders in Marin County. [5][37] Littlefeather was personally criticized for what was seen as exploitation of her fame,[38] but she explained that it was "strictly a business agreement" to earn the money needed to attend the World Theater Festival in Nancy, France. The strange, sad tale of Sacheen Littlefeather:, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, Sacheen Littlefeather was giddy as she hung up the phone in her San Francisco apartment in March of 1973. "[73] Her appearance prompted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to rule out future proxy acceptance of Academy Awards. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American actress and activist who made history when she declined the Best Actor Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando, has died at the age of 75. [87][88] Contemporary accounts of the founding of the Red Earth Performing Arts Company by Nez Perce actor and playwright John Kauffman, Jr in 1974 do not mention Littlefeather. [24], In interviews, Littlefeather said she had a difficult childhood. "[48], A 1974 article about a Littlefeather interview stated that she was working for a San Francisco radio station when she applied for work with Coppola and that he then referred her to Brando, "knowing Brando's interest in the Indian". When he was nominated for an Oscar for his infamous portrayal of Don Corleone in "The Godfather," he refused to attend the ceremony. [50] In 2016, the 88th ceremony of the Academy Awards drew criticism for lack of diversity in nominations; actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who boycotted the ceremony, cited Littlefeather as inspiration to do so. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. [7] She played a role in the mascot change at Tamalpais High School in the late 1980s, first becoming involved when she visited the high school as a guest director for the drama class play, "Grandmother Earth". As the 50th anniversary of Littlefeathers Oscars moment approaches, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continues to showcase Littlefeather as an icon of diversity in its glittery new museum in Los Angeles, where she is featured in an exhibit about iconic moments in the award ceremonys history.