Sacheen Littlefeather Reflects on Her Powerful 1973 Oscar Protest

There will also be a Q&A discussion between Littlefeather and Bird Runningwater (a leading Indigenous presence in the Academy), as well as a variety of Native performers, including the San Manuel Bird Singers and the All Nations Singers and Dancers. “We have some beautiful singers and dancers and traditional style,” says Littlefeather. “This is a whole Native American production, from start to finish. There was a whole collaboration among Native peoples to put this thing together; we are a community.” The menu at the private reception to follow was created by Indigenous chef Crystal Wahpepah.

The event comes at a perfect time, when Hollywood is finally including Indigenous voices and allowing Indigenous filmmakers, writers, and actors to tell their stories. Around the time of the 1973 Oscars, Littlefeather can only remember there being a handful of prominent Indigenous people in Hollywood; she cites names such as the singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, Will Sampson of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and actor Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto in The Lone Ranger. “I once asked Jay, ‘Why are you playing Tonto?’ Because he was a very talented actor,” says Littlefeather. “And he said to me, ‘The roles are so limited for Indian people, and a real Indian should get this part.’”

These days, Littlefeather is inspired by the Native roles and productions that she’s seen coming up. “It was always my dream that there would be Indian people behind the camera, in front of the camera, and writing for television shows and being creative,” Littlefeather says. Lately, she’s been a fan of Reservation Dogs and Prey, as well as Indigenous models like Quannah Chasinghorse. “I’m really proud to see these young, beautiful ladies strutting their stuff and causing a commotion in fashion,” says Littlefeather.

While humble in nature, Littlefeather recognizes that she’s paved a path for these new Indigenous creatives. “In hindsight, I am very proud of what I did and how I did it. Not with fists clenched, profanity, or a loud shouting voice—but with the gift of my ancestors,” says Littlefeather. “I spoke courageously and gracefully, the way that our ancestors and our women did it way back when.” She also believes her Oscars redemption story is a gift from her late husband of 32 years, Charles Koshiway, who passed away nine months ago. “We were soulmates, and I believe when he went up to the Creator’s world and met all of our ancestors, he said, ‘We have to do something to rectify this wrong,’” says Littlefeather. “His love for me made all of this happen.”