Sacheen Littlefeather

Sacheen Cruz Littlefeather, born Marie Louise Cruz on November 14, 1946, and who passed away on October 2, 2022, was a multifaceted American actress, model, and dedicated Native American civil rights advocate. She was the daughter of a Native American father, with Apache and Yaqui heritage, and a European American mother. Littlefeather became actively involved in the Native American rights movement during the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz, which marked a pivotal moment in Indigenous activism.

Her most notable moment came at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she appeared on behalf of Marlon Brando, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in The Godfather. Brando chose to boycott the ceremony as a protest against Hollywood's misrepresentation of Native Americans, as well as to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict at Wounded Knee. Littlefeather's speech elicited a mixed reaction from the audience, with both boos and applause.

Following her iconic appearance at the Oscars, Littlefeather dedicated her life to hospice care and continued her activism, focusing on health issues and Native American rights. She also produced films highlighting Indigenous stories. In a significant gesture, the Academy formally apologized to Littlefeather in June 2022 for the treatment she received, and the apology was publicly shared during "An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather" on September 17, 2022.