"So back in 1973 I took the stage on behalf of Marlon Brando to decline his #Oscar for The Godfather. I was told...that if I went 1 sec. over the designated time I would be arrested." #SacheenLittlefeather #nativetrailblazers

— Educ8tus🐯ll (@Educ8tusAll) March 27, 2018

"So when I came on that night I only had a short time
to make the statement that I made with grace,
elegance...& I kept both promises (to Marlon: don't
touch the Oscar, to the #Oscars producers: don't
go over 60 secs.)

"I walked off that stage and I had mentioned
both Wounded Knee in SD & also the stereotype of
Native Amns. on film to an audience who was making $
off of our stereotypical image on film."
#SacheenLittlefeather #Oscars #nativetrailblazers

John Wayne A Western SOB of Hollywood Screen

Wow! Who knew?! Marlon Brando rejected the best actor award for Godfather bc of misrepresentation of Native Americans by the US film industry & sent Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. The activist & actress was met w/boos & tomahawk chop from the audience [_link]

— Vivian Salama (@vmsalama) August 16, 2022

Her speech was, organisers said, the first political statement at the televised ceremony - beginning a trend which continues to this day.

Introducing herself on behalf of Brando - who wrote "a very long speech" - she briefly told the audience "that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award".

"And the reasons for this being the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee," she said - in reference to a violent stand-off with federal agents at a site of significant importance to the Sioux people.

She was met with boos - and some cheers - from the audience.

In 2020, Littlefeather told the BBC that straight after the speech she had to leave the stage with two security guards. But, she added, it "was a very good thing" as actor John Wayne was backstage (secured by six security men); she said he was "furious with Marlon and furious with me" and wanted to pull her off stage himself.

Oscars 1973 Marlon Brando Littlefeather

The Academy Apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather, Who Refused Marlon Brando's 1973 Oscar | Vanity Fair |

Incident at Wounded Knee

The incident began in February 1973, and represented the longest civil disorder in the history of the Marshals Service.

The town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota was seized on February 27, 1973, by followers of the American Indian Movement (AIM), who staged a 71-day occupation of the area. In response to the incident, Marshals Service volunteers stepped forward from all ranks of service to assist in a resolution. U.S. Marshals, Chief Deputies, Deputies, and support personnel alike were ready to make the sacrifices required to join the historic operation.