Why the Academy owed Sacheen Littlefeather a long overdue apology

After telling the audience that she wouldn't be able to read Brando's full comments, Littlefeather improvised a very short version of her speech. “He unfortunately cannot accept this very generous award, and the reasons for this are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry,” said Littlefeather, before a short pause interrupted by both boos and applause. "And on TV and in movie reruns, and also with the recent events at Wounded Knee."

A month earlier, the Occupation of Wounded Knee had begun, and the standoff between federal agents and the American Indian Movement would eventually last 71 days and result in bloodshed. In the documentary "Reel Injun," Lakota activist Russell Means said he and others watched Littlefeather's speech from Wounded Knee, and it lifted their spirits at a time when they weren't sure come out of the occupation alive. "Marlon Brando and Sacheen Littlefeather have totally improved our lives," he told documentarians.

Littlefeather spoke briefly and considerately, ending the speech with a message of hope: "I beg you not to interfere with me in this evening and that in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity." Despite the message of peace, booed onlookers and a menacing producer weren't the only people in the room to treat her with hostility. Littlefeather spoke to the Academy's A-Frame website this week and described how popular and notorious racist Western actor John Wayne had to be restrained, saying: "He went out in a rage for me. physically assault and take me off stage. And he had to be restrained by six security guards to make sure that didn't happen."