Self-identification, or even DNA tests, for instance, obscure the fact that American Indians have not only a cultural relationship to a specific tribe and the United States but a legal one. Im representing Marlin Brando this Sacheen Littlefeather is an Indigenous activist who is most famous for delivering the speech on Marlon Brando's behalf, turning down the Oscar he won for the Godfather. The Academy Honors Sacheen Littlefeather, Righting an Oscar Wrong [137], Roger Ebert had disputed Littlefeather's Native American ethnicity in 2004 in an obituary for Marlon Brando, stating that after her attendance at the Oscars she was "identified as Maria Cruz, an actress who was not an Indian". [121][122] In 2009, she gave testimony in the documentary Reel Injun about Native Americans in film. [135][136], Following Littlefeather's death, Navajo author Jacqueline Keeler interviewed Littlefeather's biological sisters Rosalind Cruz and Trudy Orlandi, who say their family does not have Native American ancestry. This is about people who have built their careers on claims to Native identity and who do not have any.. *Sacheen Littlefeather died aged 75 from breast cancer on October 2, 2022. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - Eventually, Coppola gave it to her. Maria Louise Cruz [1] (November 14, 1946 - October 2, 2022), better known as Sacheen Littlefeather [2] [3] was an American actress, model, and activist for Native American civil rights who after her death was accused by family members and journalists of being a pretendian. Sacheen Littlefeather recalls being shot at after Oscars speech: 'I Im 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. Keeler said she and tribal officials have been unable to pinpoint a specific White Mountain Apache or Yaqui ancestor of Littlefeathers based on enrollment records and genealogical research. It did little for her own career, however. A MARTINEZ, HOST: Sacheen. Littlefeathers sister Rosalind Cruz, who was estranged from the late actress, told CNN that her family didnt consider themselves Native when she was growing up. We lied to them. "[87] Many years later, Littlefeather said that King called her to thank her for the speech. Even before Keelers op-ed, a statement on Littlefeathers website characterized the doubts about her heritage as misinformation, and stated that her father was from the White Mountain Apache and Yaqui tribes from Arizona.. I went up there like a warrior woman. [95][96] In 1978, it was reported that Littlefeather would travel to Newfoundland with the Greenpeace Foundation to protest the Newfoundland seal hunt along with politicians and other show business personalities. [41] A year later in October 1973, due to her Academy Award appearance fame, they ran the photographs of Littlefeather as a stand-alone feature. People often claim that they have Native blood in casual conversation or check the American Indian/Alaska Native box on application forms without being able to point to a direct Native ancestor in their family tree. who is co-chair of the Academys Indigenous Alliance. There are various reasons that someone with a legitimate link to a tribe might not be enrolled, many of which can be traced back to US policies that sought to erase Native Americans. In fact, Cruz said her family didnt previously raise concerns about Littlefeathers claims because they assumed she wasnt hurting anybody.. 'I promised Brando I would not touch his Oscar': the secret life of Sacheen Littlefeather Steve Rose In 1973, she made history at the Academy Awards, appearing in place of Marlon Brando,. Support Native Viewpoint a Native multimedia website, by clicking here. Only a few months after The Academy issued a formal apology over Sacheen Littlefeather's 1973 Oscars controversy, the Native American civil rights activist, actress, and model has passed away at age 75. And maybe that was the love-hate relationship that he had with acting., Littlefeathers Oscar speech drew international attention to Wounded Knee, where the US authorities had essentially imposed a media blackout. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images). And if you aren't familiar with the Sacheen Littlefeather's speech that skyrocketed her to fame, now is a good time to look back at it. She subsequently read Brando's text to reporters backstage. On its face, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apology to Sacheen Littlefeather earlier this year appeared to be a long overdue righting of wrongs. Littlefeather walked onto the stage and raised her hand to decline the Oscar trophy that Moore offered her. There is a pattern that "pretendians" follow: They exploit peoples lack of knowledge about who American Indian people are by perpetuating ambiguity in a number of ways. Littlefeather, who delivered her famous speech while declining Marlon Brando's Best Actor award on his behalf, recalled being shot at by an unknown assailant while returning to Brando's home after . The number of people who identified as American Indian and Alaska Native alone and in combination with another race in the 2020 Census was 9.7 million, up from 5.2 million in 2010 Circe Sturm, an anthropology professor at the University of Texas, Austin, has theorized that at least part of that jump can be explained by people claiming a distant ancestor or the results of a genetic ancestry test. And it's just insulting to my parents', "Sacheen Littlefeather and ethnic fraud why the truth is crucial, even it it[sic] means losing an American Indian hero", "Sacheen Littlefeather's Sisters Say Claim of American Indian Heritage Was A Fraud", "A Recent TV Slur Revives Debate About Sacheen Littlefeather and Her Role in Marlon Brando's Oscar Refusal", "Sacheen Littlefather's sisters say she was not Native American. Their families may have been forced to assimilate through federal boarding schools or the urban relocation campaign, or they may have been adopted into White families. "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 continued. Sacheen Littlefeather was heckled with racist abuse from the audience during her 1973 speech, recalling later that Western actor John Wayne had to be restrained from rushing the stage to attack her. The registry was founded in the early 1980s by Muscogee actor Will Sampson, who worked with the American Native Association to publish a directory of American Indians in the arts and entertainment fields. Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards (better known as the Oscars) in 1973, where she on Brando's behalf declined the Best Actor award that he won for his performance in The Godfather. But hopefully I can share some of these things while Im here. Littlefeather talks about the end of life with the same composure and dignity she exhibited that night in 1973. [9][32] She reported having tuberculosis at age four and received treatment in an oxygen tent while hospitalized. Im going to the world of my ancestors. John Wayne was in the wings, ready to have me taken off stage. Actor John Wayne even had to be restrained from attacking her on stage, at the time. All Rights Reserved. She visited Alcatraz when it was occupied by Native American activists in the early 1970s. Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined Brando's Oscar, dies at 75 - NPR And history will surely judge us. [25] In 1970, as "Sacheen Littlefeather of Alcatraz", she was named Miss Vampire USA, a promotion for House of Dark Shadows. She arrived at the ceremony with Brandos assistant, just minutes before best actor was announced. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando. [59], Littlefeather died at her home in Novato, California, on October 2, 2022, at the age of 75. They became good friends, but were never lovers or romantically involved. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. Her death came weeks after she received an apology over how she was treated at the Academy Awards. Others might not qualify under controversial blood quantum standards, which require a certain amount of Indian blood and are a product of US colonialism. She wrote a letter to him and, walking past Coppolas house one day, said: Hey! Sacheen Littlefeather, who claimed to be Apache and whose 1973 speech at the Academy Awards denounced the treatment of Native Americans in Hollywood, faked her racial identity for decades, her sisters allege. S acheen L ittlefeather Oscar Award Acceptance on Behalf of Marlon Brando delivered 27 March 1973, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles County Music Center, CA Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar win for "The Godfather" | Sacheen Littlefeather [AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio] Hello. Sacheen Littlefeather Reads Marlon Brando's Full 1973 Oscars Speech She explains that Brando cannot accept the award because of the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry. The old people who came from different reservations taught us young people how to be Indian again. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona told The New York Times that neither Littlefeather nor her parents were enrolled in the tribe, but that does not mean that we could independently confirm that she is not of Yaqui ancestry generally, from Mexico or the Southwestern United States., Of her efforts to identify Pretendians, Keeler told CNN, This is not about people who are genuinely trying to reconnect with Native relatives. [4], In 1974, Littlefeather attended classes at the American Conservatory Theater, studying acting, yoga, fencing, Shakespeare, dancing, and other various skills for her acting career. Sacheen was in. It sure as hell took you long enough to call. Half an hour before her speech, she had been at Brandos house on Mulholland Drive waiting for him to finish typing an eight-page speech. By her early 20s Littlefeather was working as public service director at a San Francisco radio station, and head of the local affirmative action committee for Native Americans, studying representation in film, television and sports (they successfully campaigned for Stanford University to remove their offensive Indian sports team symbol). Her passing followed a years-long battle with breast cancer, which had recently metastasized. [141] As of March7, 2023[update], Orlandi had yet to receive a reply. [101], She continued doing activism and became a respected member of California's Native American community. When I go to the spirit world, Im going to take all these stories with me. The Sacheen Littlefeather controversy highlights a debate over what it Being Native American is often viewed in the US as a race or ethnicity. She was dressed in tribal dress and waving several pages of paper covered with typed text Brando had given her to read out that evening. Native Viewpoint was created by Akwesasne Mohawk journalist, editor, and public speaker Vincent Schilling. Perhaps at this moment you are saying to yourself what the hell has all this got to do with the Academy Awards? I spoke from my heart., Littlefeathers life up to that point had been difficult. I'm Apache and I am president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee. Coretta Scott King commended Brando for his non-violent stand, stating, "It is gratifying to see people in entertainment increasingly concerned about injustices in society and not just interested in making money. A Warner Bros. Until this day on Native Trailblazers radio. I think awards in this country at this time are inappropriate to be received or given until the condition of the American Indian is drastically altered. Geroldine learned the craft from Leo Leonard, who owned Leonard Saddle Company in Santa Barbara, and Manuel learned to make saddles as a boy in San Francisco. I didnt use swearwords. Pretendians rarely can name any people they are related to in a Native community or in their family tree. [11] She said in a 2021 interview that the cancer had metastasized to her right lung and that she was terminal. I have metastasised breast cancer terminal to my right lung. Brando sent her and his girlfriend Jill Banner to go and see his latest movie, Last Tango in Paris Bernardo Bertoluccis controversially graphic erotic drama (which would earn Brando another Oscar nomination). and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Sacheen Littlefeather has passed away at the age of 75 and although she hasn't made headlines in a while, her speech left a mark on activist history. [6] Gilio-Whitaker specified:[6]. I stayed up in the tree and I cried myself to sleep., Littlefeather was between two worlds. [76][11], The incident drew remarks from others at the same ceremony. "They should have at least had the courtesy to listen to her. [9], Over the years, Littlefeather described her personal experiences with serious health issues, including internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, and cancer. [93][94] 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. Sacheen Littlefeather famously declined the best actor Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando at the 1973 Academy Awards. But at the heart of the Littlefeather controversy is a more fundamental question, Native American scholars say, about what it means to be Native American. Her father was Native American, a mix of Apache and Yaqui, and her mother was white. He said: I bet you dont know who this is. And I said: Sure I do. And he said: Well, who is it? I said: Its Marlon Brando. 'I spoke my heart': Sacheen Littlefeather revisits notorious 1973 Oscar Her sisters say she was an ethnic fraud", "Big Littlefeather Lies Sacheen Littlefeather Lied About Native American Ancestry, Sisters Claim 'It is a fraud. Subsequently, she wrote Brando a letter, asking about his interest in Native American issues. At a memorial service in California in 2000 with Lanny Pinola, a Pomo/Miwok spiritual leader. Sacheen Littlefeather, Activist, Actor, Native Health Pioneer Good American Rhetoric. The Awardist Oscars Sacheen Littlefeather recalls being shot at after Oscars speech: 'I nearly paid the price with my life' The activist famously called out Hollywood's treatment of Native. Russell Means contended that "Marlon Brando and Sacheen Littlefeather totally uplifted" the lives of those at Wounded Knee. [124] She participated in events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz, including serving as head pow wow judge. Sacheen Littlefeather says John Wayne is responsible for the 'most violent moment' in Oscars history. [113] Around this same time period, Littlefeather worked at the Gift of Love AIDS hospice in San Francisco, which was founded in 1988 by Mother Teresa, and had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa during at least one of her five visits to the facility before her death in 1997. Speech by Sacheen Littlefeather at the 1973 Oscarss - Widescreenings As a result, my memory is not as good as it used to be Im very tired all the time because cancer is a full-time job: the CT scans, MRIs, laboratory blood work, medical visits, chemotherapy, infectious disease control doctors, etc, etc. Marlon Brando told Dick Cavett in 1973 that it was a marvelous opportunity for a statement by Native Americans. 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. [83] In the years immediately following the protest, Littlefeather said that it had "had little effect on the course of her career". And it was near dark. We never really knew her until Oscar night. The statement was read in full at An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather on September 17, an event honoring Littlefeather and featuring a conversation between her and producer Bird Runningwater (Cheyenne/Mescalero Apache/N.M. Sacheen Littlefeather, seen March 27, 1973 after telling the Oscar audience that Marlon Brando was declining to accept his Oscar to protest Hollywood's treatment of Indigenous people. And I had promised Koch that I would not go over 60 seconds. Thats another fantasy, Ms. Orlandi explained to the Chronicle. [25] She claims to have participated part-time in the occupation of Alcatraz in 1970, though this claim has been disputed. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images). Keeler searched records of Littlefeather's family going back to 1850 and did not find evidence of Native ancestry. In one of her first interviews after the speech, she mentioned that they met "through his interest in the Indian movement".