Brando cast Sacheen Littlefeather in his place as a protest against the film industry’s treatment and stereotyping of Native Americans. The movie legend gave her a long speech, but the activist and actor only had a minute to convey his feelings to an estimated 85 million viewers. Littlefeather refused to accept the statuette from Roger Moore and was booed by some in the audience after her speech – although there was applause. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apologized and acknowledged that it had led to “professional boycotts, personal attacks and harassment and discrimination against her over the past 50 years.” The academy’s president, David Rubin, offered his “deep apologies and sincere admiration.” In an open letter to the 75-year-old, he praised her courage and said the abuse she suffered was “unwarranted and unwarranted”. “Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people – it’s only been 50 years!” Littlefeather said in a statement released by the Academy. “We have to keep our sense of humor about it at all times. It’s our survival method.” Pictured: Brando (second left) won the Oscar for his iconic role in The Godfather Read more: Will Smith finally breaks silence to tell Chris Rock ‘I’m sorry’ for Oscar slap Tom Hanks says he couldn’t play Philadelphia today ‘and rightfully so’ She also said it was a “dream come true” that the Academy is hosting an “evening of conservation, healing and celebration” – featuring performances by herself and Native Americans on September 17. Brando turned down the Oscar for his iconic role in The Godfather. He later told American television that he felt it was a “wonderful opportunity” to speak to tens of millions of people, as “the voice of the American Indian has not been heard anywhere in the history of the United States.”
