It was televised to 85 million people. The lawyer's letter claimed that Cruz was her married name. [2][3], Littlefeather was born Marie Louise Cruz on November 14, 1946, in Salinas, California. He died of cancer when Sacheen was 19, Orlandi said. Sacheen Littlefeather stunned Hollywood when she was sent on behalf of Marlon Brando to reject his 1973 Oscar for best actor in "The Godfather." Nearly 50 years later, the Native American. When Brando was announced as the winner, Littlefeather took the stage dressed in full native regalia. Sacheen Littlefeather gets apology for abuse by John Wayne, others at 1973 Oscars. LIttlefeathers longtime Bay Area friend, Bridget Neconie, said she and others never doubted Littlefeather was Apache or Yaqui. He subsequently published a letter received from Littlefeather's lawyer, which asked him to clarify that Littlefeather was Native American, with a father who was "Yaqui and White Mountain Apache". The allegations emerged into public view in October when Native American journalist Jacqueline Keeler published an investigation into the Mexican ancestry of Littlefeathers California-born father, Manuel Cruz. [134], "Littlefeather" redirects here. "I later learned six security guards had to hold back John Wayne, who was in the wings and wanted to storm on the stage and drag me off," she claimed. [15], While she attended California State College at Hayward (now California State University, East Bay) and studied dramatics and speech, she continued to cultivate a Native American identity. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar for him in a memorable 1973 speech, passed away on Sunday. [80], At The Comedy Awards in 2012, comedian Norm Macdonald staged a parody of the speech in accepting an award on behalf of Melissa McCarthy. Her sisters say she was an ethnic fraud", "Big Littlefeather Lies Sacheen Littlefeather Lied About Native American Ancestry, Sisters Claim 'It is a fraud. 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. [5][7] Both Geroldine and Manuel were saddlemakers. All she was able to say was: The crowd cheered and booed. Sacheen Littlefeather died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at her home in Marin County, Calif. She was 75. The Apache and Yaqui activist respectfully waved off actor Roger Moore, who attempted to hand her the statue. It's our method of survival. [57] She also said that media reports published several falsehoods, such as that she was not Native American or had rented the outfit for the occasion. However, Littlefeather claimed she felt "abandoned" by Brando when she was faced withthe intense backlash. She was 75 years old.. ), the co-chair of the Academy's Indigenous Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sacheen-littlefeather-academy-awards-2477981. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. [1][127] She stated that she was suicidal and hospitalized in a mental institution for a year. Meanwhile, the Vietnam War showed no end in sight despite massive protests. 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." [56], At the age of 29 her lungs collapsed. Bettmann via. [76], According to Ann Brebner of the Brebner Agency, which handled Littlefeather's modeling bookings, she was deluged with mail and phone calls after her Oscars appearance, which led to radio and television appearances as well as the opportunity to read for several film roles. [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. Sacheen Littlefeather, the activist for Native Americans who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for "The Godfather" on his behalf at the 1973 Academy Awards, died Sunday at 75, the Ac [30][31], While living in the San Francisco Bay area in the early 1970s, Littlefeather participated in the 1971 American Indian Festival at Foothill College, judged a local 1972 beauty pageant as "Princess Littlefeather", and organized a 1972 American Indian Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts. [4][5] She later said that she "learned early in life that there was probably a place for me in the dramatic art field, acting if you have a parent who's deaf, you naturally have to act out messages to them," referring to communicating with her father. On Sunday, the Academy tweeted a quote the activist made about her legacy. [21] Around this time she adopted the name Sacheen Littlefeather. Brando was unequivocal about his view that Hollywood was doing a disservice not only to Native Americans, but all minorities, thanks to their stereotypical portrayal of different cultures. Orlandi and Cruz just want the truth to be known about their family. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [2], In 1974, Littlefeather attended classes at the American Conservatory Theater, studying acting, yoga, fencing, Shakespeare, dancing, and other various skills for her acting career. A group of heavily-armed Oglala Lakota and their American Indian Movement supporters overtook a trading post in the town of Wounded Knee, the site of the 1890 massacre. Sacheen Littlefeather at the 1973 Oscars (Photo: UCLA Library Special Collections, CC BY 2.0). [128], In 2018, Littlefeather developed stage IV breast cancer,[129] a recurrence of the breast cancer from which she was reported to be in remission in 2012. Legal Statement. The speech was shared at a press conference after the ceremony and was published in its entirety by the New York Times. 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. Sacheen Littlefeather gets apology for abuse by John Wayne, others at 1973 Oscars (Photo by Beck Starr/FilmMagic/Getty Images). "They should have at least had the courtesy to listen to her. According to Littlefeather, the institution was a "hell hole" and doctors used what she said was "psychodrama," role-playing her parents "while black-hooded figures listened in a dim-lit room" to help her "reconstruct memories of childhood abuse and abandonment. The Alcatraz Island occupation was two years in the past by March of 1973. [56][57][58] Koch recalled that he permitted her to stay and make her speech after she promised not to make a scene. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar for him in a memorable 1973 speech, passed away on Sunday. She lives in San Francisco. Subsequently, she wrote Brando a letter, asking about his interest in Native American issues. He was even known to have donated money to the Black Panthers. [26] She characterized this as either being "adopted",[21] or in foster care. "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," she added. Orlandi didnt understand Brandos choice. 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 was accompanied by Brando's secretary, Alice Marchak, and wore an Apache buckskin dress. Dina Gilo-Whitaker is a lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos. [92] She served as an advisor to PBS's Dance in America: Song for Dead Warriors (1984), which earned its choreographer, Michael Smuin, an Emmy Award. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. [25] In 1988, she stated that her parents lived next door to her maternal grandparents, Marie and Gerold "Barney" Barnitz, while she and her two younger sisters lived with those grandparents. The outlet shared that after the speech, Littlefeather went to Brandos house. In 1964 during a fish-in, which was a protest to honor fishing rights on Puget Sound promised to Native American tribes, he was even arrested. The Native American actor and activist has died of breast cancer at age 75. "I was blacklisted or, you could say, redlisted," she explained. For other uses, see, Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 08:33, Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Catholic Health Association of the United States, "Sacheen Littlefeather was a Native icon. Marie Louise Cruz (November 14, 1946 October 2, 2022), better known as Sacheen Littlefeather, was an American actress, model, and activist on behalf of Native American civil rights. He had actually written a 15-page speech explaining his reasons, but Littlefeather later said that she had been threatened with arrest if she attempted to read the entire speech. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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 Aw. Littlefeather said her father was of Apache and Yaqui ancestry[1] and her mother was of European descent. Sacheen Littlefeathers work on famed San Francisco ballet among suspect claims Market data provided by Factset. Cody, a second-generation Italian American actor, has become infamous for falsely claiming to be Native American after playing the role in movies, TV and the Keep America Beautiful public service ads in the early 1970s. The 74-year-old is the subject of a new documentary titled "Sacheen: Breaking The Silence," which details the famous political speech and its aftermath. Helene Hagan, a historian, anthropologist and former longtime friend, believes that Littlefeathers Native American claims and delusions of being a suffering, victimized woman began around this time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed the . In an article in the San . Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanityfrom the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images). [53] Before the ceremony, Brando decided thatas the favorite to win[52]he would boycott as a protest led by AIM against the ongoing siege at Wounded Knee and his views on how Native Americans were represented in American films. [75] She later said that she visited Marlon Brando's house after the Academy Awards and bullets were fired into his front door while they were talking. Riveting new S.F. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the news on its social media accounts. [9][8] Geroldine Cruz continued to operate the business after her husband's death in 1966. One of the most shocking moments in Academy Awards history came in 1973, when Marlon Brando won Best Actor for his role in The Godfather. [23] Later accounts describe Coppola as Littlefeather's neighbor in San Francisco. After the Academy Award speech, Littlefeather worked in hospice care. He'd also supported Native American causes for years. Were also on Pinterest, Tumblr, and Flipboard. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. [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. Littlefeather's family asked mourners to make donations to American Indian Child Resource Center in Oakland, California. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. So, effectively what we hear at the podium is an improvised speech by the activist. My mom was a very sweet, kind person, Orlandi said. The San Francisco Ballet confirmed she worked as an advisor for the Emmy-winning 1984 telecast of Michael Smuins Song for Dead Warriors, and she served as a board member of the American Indian AIDS Institute. She can rest assured that no one will take her bravery that night for granted; and long after her passing, she will continue to be a shining example for others. [5], In 1972, Brando played Vito Corleone in The Godfather, which many critics consider one of the greatest films of all time. She is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. When we think today about his words and what representation meansespecially to childrenone can't help but applaud his willingness to speak out in a time when it wasn't popular to do so. Sacheen Littlefeather, the actor and activist who declined Marlon Brando's 1973 Academy Award for "The Godfather" on his behalf in an indelible protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native. Academy Apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather for 'Mistreatment' Upon Turning Down Marlon Brando's Oscar Littlefeather was asked by Best Actor winner Brando to turn down the award in 1973. Orlandi grew up with her sister Maria Cruz, the woman who would later become famous as Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration." 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. In June 2022, the Academy sent Littlefeather a statement of apology that was read in full at An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather on September 17, two weeks before her death. [10][11][12] After high school, she attended Hartnell Junior College and studied elementary education. "He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award," she said , citing "the treatment of American Indians today" by the film and television industry. She spent a year in Agnews Insane Asylum in Santa Claraand was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can include mood swings, hallucinations and delusions. The activist had been battling. "[73] Her appearance prompted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to rule out future proxy acceptance of Academy Awards. [23] She played the role of Paleflower in Winterhawk, filmed in Kalispell, Montana. [20][35], Playboy magazine planned a spread called "10 Little Indians" in 1972, and one of the models was Littlefeather, but the spread was cancelled. And it's just insulting to my parents', "A Recent TV Slur Revives Debate About Sacheen Littlefeather and Her Role in Marlon Brando's Oscar Refusal", "4-H Home Ec Results Listed At Monterey County Fair", "DeSerpa Is Elected Hartnell Student V-P", "Sacheen Littlefeather: Fact Or Fiction? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Littlefeather walked onto the stage and raised her hand to decline the Oscar trophy that Moore offered her. "[Brando] very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. All rights reserved. The History of the American Indian Movement (AIM), Indian Citizenship Act: Granted Citizenship but Not Voting Rights, The Native American Ghost Dance, a Symbol of Defiance, Top 10 Classic Films With a Social Message, Indian Reorganization Act: A New Deal for American Indians, 5 Common Indigenous Stereotypes in Film and Television. Since the Native American hasnt been able to hear his voice heard or have his voice heard anywhere in the history of the United States, he shared, I felt that it was a marvelous opportunity for an Indian to be able to voice his opinion to 85 million people and I felt that he had a right to in view of what Hollywood has done to him.. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. However, Littlefeather admitted that the praise was bittersweet. The truth, they say, is that their parents, self-employed makers of horse saddles, raised their three daughters in a loving middle-class home. Keeler is known for her aggressive efforts to out alleged Pretendians, people who falsely claim to be Native American. [118], In November 2019 she received the Brando Award, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to the American Indian, from the Red Nation International Film Festival. Gilio-Whitaker, Dina. Entertainment | Canby has started an oral history project with Native American elders in Marin County. Its one of the biggest hoaxes certainly the biggest hoax since Iron Eyes Cody, said Dina Gilio-Whitaker, a Cal State San Marcos lecturer of American Indian Studies who was commissioned at one point to ghostwrite Littlefeathers memoir. "It was the first time anyone had made a political statement at the Oscars," Littlefeather said in the documentary, as quoted by the outlet. Tyler Perrys Inspiring Oscars Acceptance Speech Denounces Hate, Zendaya Makes Emmy Awards History and Sets Two Records in One Night, Chlo Zhao Makes History as First Woman of Color To Win Oscar for Best Director, Natalie Portman Wore Cape Embroidered With Names of Women Directors Snubbed by Oscars. LaNada War Jack, one of the student organizers of the 19-month-long Native American occupation of Alcatraz that started in 1969, told this news organization: We applauded her when she spoke at the Oscars but we knew she wasnt Native.. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The money raised was never donated to any campaign. In an email to The Times, Littlefeather's family confirmed her death, saying she died peacefully, surrounded by . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Marshal Service as the eyes of the nation watched on the evening news. People actually dont realize how deeply these people are injured by seeing themselves represented, he shared. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group), Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr., Rebecca Brando, Sacheen Littlefeather (born Marie Louise Cruz, 1946 - 2022) and Christian Bale attend the Red Nation Film Festival And Awards Ceremony at Laemmle's Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre on November 15, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. [2] According to Liza Black, an Associate Professor of history and Native American and Indigenous studies at Indiana University, and a citizen of Cherokee Nation, "Keeler proves Littlefeather was a troubled woman who made the stories of others her own". Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she on Brando's behalf declined the Best Actor award that he won for his performance in The Godfather. [5], Littlefeather joined the audience minutes before the award for Best Actor was announced. Some may not realize that Brando was not only a great actor but also an activist and had been highly involved in the Civil Rights Movement. [61] Littlefeather stated in 2022 that some people mockingly used the tomahawk chop towards her as she was led by. In one of her first interviews after the speech, she mentioned that they met "through his interest in the Indian movement". During her speech, the audience's response to Brando's boycotting was divided between booing and applause. or redistributed. 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. Other claims appear to have been exaggerated or are simply false, including that she worked with Mother Teresa on AIDS patients, that she participated in the Native American protest/occupation at Alcatraz and that John Wayne tried to attack her at her Oscars appearance. Brando, Littlefeather, and the Academy Awards. Tensions came to a head on the Oglala LakotaPine Ridge reservation in February 1973. At the time of the Oscars, she had known Brando for nearly a year. Marlon Brando . 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. [124][125][126][5] She stated that she wanted to travel in Europe to "see where the white people came from" just as people are "always going to reservations to see where the Indians came from". "The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. [132], 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". This guy cannot protect himself or his name or his reputation.. It's disgusting to the heritage of the tribal people. Winning the Academy Award in 1973 for "The Godfather," Brando sent a woman clad in Apache dress named Sacheen Littlefeather to turn down the award on his behalf. "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. [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. Bettmann/Getty Images Sacheen Littlefeather declining Marlon Brando's Oscar in 1973. This Spring, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Are Going on Tour Together, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Welcome Their Fourth Child, Brendan Fraser Surprises Fans and Gets Warm Reception at a Screening of The Mummy. [28] She said her mother and two sisters were subject to their father's rage and beatings. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [120] Author Tommy Orange was commissioned by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's Open Space platform to write a piece called "Dear Marlon Brando" as part of the magazine Alcatraz Is Not an Island, commemorating the 50th anniversary. Indian activists had taken over the Bureau of Indian Affairs building the year before and the siege of Wounded Knee was underway in South Dakota. The letter, signed by Betty Cooper, director of the American Indian alcoholism program, and Sally Gallegos, director of the Consortium of United Indian Nations, was credited with Mandela's decision to meet with American Indian leaders in October 1990. Littlefeather has long been an accepted and highly respected member of the Native American community despite lingering speculation about her identity. ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. And White Mountain Apache? [36] A year later in October 1973, after her Academy Award appearance fame, they ran the photographs of Littlefeather as a stand-alone feature. Rather, he sent Apache activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his stead to reject the . In that account, he called the radio station where she worked months after she sent the letter. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group), Trudy Orlandi keeps of her sister Maria Cruz in the second grade at her home in San Anselmo, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. [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. "It was the first Oscars ceremony to be broadcast by satellite all over the world, which is why Marlon chose it. 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. [6], Littlefeather attended North Salinas High School from 1960 to 1964 and was active in 4-H, winning awards in home economics categories such as food preservation and fashion. Consequently, Littlefeather alleged she was "blacklisted" by Hollywood and never worked again. [123], Littlefeather studied orthomolecular nutrition and later said that she had "wanted to see where all the 'white' food came from" so she went to Sweden and lived in Stockholm. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industryexcuse me [booing and applause] and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I never saw my sister being beaten by my dad. [32][33][34] She worked at a radio station, KFRC, for about six months and did freelance reporting for PBS member station KQED. Brando's speech addressed the stereotypes of Native Americans in films long before the subject would be taken seriously in the industry. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [46], Accounts of how Littlefeather initially met Marlon Brando vary. [7] She said in a 2021 interview that the cancer had metastasized to her right lung and that she was terminal. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American actress and activist who declined Marlon Brando's best actor Oscar in 1973, has died, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Sunday night. 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. Market data provided by Factset. It was around the same time Littlefeather reportedly suffered a breakdown. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Marlon Brando on The Dick Cavett Show in 1973 (Photo: Sipuede7 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0). In June, the. [71], The audience in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was divided between applause and jeers. 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. The actress had disputed similar claims before", "Screen: 'Trial of Billy Jack,' a Sequel", "Sacheen Littlefeather's Oral History: The Oscars, Marlon Brando and a Legacy of Activism", Text, audio, video of the Academy Award speech, Sacheen Littlefeather reads Brando's Oscar speech for first time publicly. [5][101] In 1991, Littlefeather was reported to be recovering from radical cancer surgery. [39] Looking back at the photo shoot, Littlefeather later said, "I was young and dumb. According to Littlefeather, she could "hear the boos and jeers" as she came on stage. 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. Sacheen Littlefeather fue la primera mujer nativa americana en subir al escenario de los scar. Keeler writes that the sisters state that their father, who was born in Oxnard, California, was of Mexican descent and had no tribal ties, nor was he related to the Yaqui tribes of Northern Mexico. She was later in a 32 year long relationship with and married Charles Koshiway Johnston, who died in 2021. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. She's a friend of mine that I introduced to B She's an Indian princess. 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. Littlefeather passed away on Oct. 2 at the age of 75. [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. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration," he added. (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. He had also participated in the March on Washington in 1963 and he supported the work of Dr. Martin Luther King. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. [applause][60], Moore escorted Littlefeather off-stage, past several people critical of her, and towards the press. Instead, she was given 60 seconds. [Brando] very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. [79][7] Actor Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto in The Lone Ranger and later founded the Indian Actors Workshop, commented that he didn't think Littlefeather's appearance at Oscars "did any harm or any particular good. In August, the Academy wrote a formal apology to her for the "emotional burden" that she carried for 49 years. 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. Marie would later become famous as Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather.