Sacheen Littlefeather at 1973 Oscars: Read the Native American actor’s full speech here

Native American actor Sacheen Littlefeather died on Sunday at the age of 75 after a long battle with breast cancer. 

Littlefeather spoke about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films while accepting the best actor on behalf of Marlon Brando at the 1973 Academy Awards.

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In the speech, Littlefeather declined the award on behalf of Brando, explaining that he could not accept the award due to “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry.

After the speech, she was escorted off the stage with audience members booing.

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Earlier this year, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologized to her for her treatment at the 1973 ceremony. On September 17, she attended an in-person presentation of the apology at the Academy Museum. 

Read the actor’s 1973 Oscars full speech here – 

“Hello. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I’m 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.”