Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando’s Finest Actor Oscar for him in a memorable 1973 speech, handed away on Sunday. She was 75 years outdated.
Littlefeather died at her dwelling in Novato, California, after a years-long battle with breast most cancers, which ultimately metastasized to her proper lung. The activist, who additionally labored as an actress, modified her title from Marie Louise Cruz to Sacheen Littlefeather after rediscovering her Native American heritage and turning into lively in protests as a younger girl.
After Liv Ullmann and Roger Moore introduced that Marlon Brando received Finest Actor for his efficiency as Vito Corleone in “The Godfather”, Littlefeather shocked audiences by strolling on stage in his place.
In a speech that shocked the nation on the time, the 26-year-old Apache activist started by introducing herself and explaining that she was representing the “Godfather” actor.
ACADEMY APOLOGIZES TO SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER NEARLY 50 YEARS AFTER REJECTING AN OSCAR ON MARLON BRANDO’S BEHALF

On the 1973 Academy Awards, Sacheen Littlefeather refused the Academy Award for Finest Actor on behalf of Marlon Brando who received for his function in The Godfather.
(Bettmann by way of Getty Pictures)
“[Brando] very regretfully can’t settle for this very beneficiant award. And the explanations for this being are the therapy of American Indians at this time by the movie trade – excuse me – and on tv in film reruns, and likewise with latest happenings at Wounded Knee,” she mentioned, referencing the Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973.
“I urge presently that I’ve not intruded upon this night, and that we are going to sooner or later, our hearts and our understandings, will meet with love and generosity,” she added.
Littlefeather, who appeared nervous throughout her speech and was booed by a number of attendees, obtained each harassment and reward after the occasion. In August, the Academy wrote a proper apology to her for the “emotional burden” that she carried for 49 years.

Sacheen Littlefeather holds a written assertion from actor Marlon Brando refusing his Finest Actor Oscar on stage on the Academy Awards, Los Angeles, California.
(Hulton Archive/Getty Pictures)
“The abuse you endured due to this assertion was unwarranted and unjustified,” David Rubin, president of the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences, wrote to Littefeather. “The emotional burden you might have lived via and the fee to your individual profession in our trade are irreparable.”
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“For too lengthy the braveness you confirmed has been unacknowledged. For this, we provide each our deepest apologies and our honest admiration,” he added.
Two weeks earlier than her loss of life, the Academy honored her at an occasion referred to as “An Night with Sacheen Littlefeather.” On Sunday, the Academy tweeted a quote the activist made about her legacy.

Sacheen Littlefeather on stage at AMPAS Presents An Night with Sacheen Littlefeather at Academy Museum of Movement Footage on September 17, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.
(Frazer Harrison/Getty Pictures)
“When I’m gone, at all times be reminded that everytime you stand on your fact, you can be protecting my voice and the voices of our nations and our folks alive,” the quote learn.
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Littlefeather’s household requested mourners to make donations to American Indian Youngster Useful resource Heart in Oakland, California.
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