Sachin Littlefeather, Native American activist and actress, has died at the age of 75

CNN
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Sacheen Littlefeatherthe Native American actress and activist who made history when she declined the Best Actor Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brandoat the age of 75 years.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced her death on Monday at a Share on Twitter.

The tweet, which was accompanied by a photo of actresses Apache and Yaki, read: “Sachin Littlefeather, the Native American civil rights activist who declined the 1973 Academy Award for Best Actor for Marlon Brando, dies at 75.”

While the cause of death was not immediately determined, Littlefeather was revealed in a Facebook share In January of last year, she developed metastatic breast cancer.

Littlefeather made history when she took to stage at the 1973 Academy Awards on behalf of “The Godfather” star Brando, who decided to boycott the awards ceremony in protest of the portrayal of Native Americans on the big screen. Brando was also responding to the federal law enforcement reaction to the American Indian Movement’s occupation of South Dakota from a wounded knee.

Her short speech, in which she wore a suede dress and moccasin shoes, was met with a mixture of boos and applause. It cost the budding actress, whose film credits include “Winter Hook,” “Shot the Sundown” and “The Trial of Billy Jack,” her career as she was soon blacklisted from the film industry and shunned by the entertainment world.

In August Academy I formally apologize to Littlefeather of the abuse she was subjected to during her speaking and in the years that followed.

A letter from former Academy President David Rubin to Littlefeather stated that the abuse she was subjected to was “unjustified and unjustified”.

He added, “The emotional burden you have experienced and the cost of your career in our industry is irreplaceable. For too long, the courage you have shown has not been recognized. For this, we offer our deepest apologies and sincere admiration.”

Little Feather called the apology a “dream come true” and said, “We Indians are very patient – it’s only been 50 years!

“We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It’s our way of surviving,” she added.

Last month, the Academy hosted an event at its Film Museum in Los Angeles, featuring Little Feather as a keynote speaker alongside other Indigenous artists.