Sacheen Littlefeather is interviewed by Academy Museum Director and President Jacqueline Stewart on June 18, 2022 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Littlefeather (Apache/Yaqui) discusses the challenges she faced as a young woman, her religious faith, and journey into Native American activism. She recounts her appearance at the 1973 Oscars® on behalf of Marlon Brando and its harmful effect on her personally and on her career. Littlefeather also talks about her commitment to Native American sovereignty and self-representation in film, and the importance of supporting younger generations. In the second part of the interview, Littlefeather invites adopted niece/caregiver Calina Lawrence to join the conversation (facilitated by Director of Oral History Projects Teague Schneiter) and perform a song.

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The content of oral history interviews is personal, experiential and interpretive and by its nature, relies on the memories, perceptions and opinions of individuals. Interviews should not be understood as statements of fact. The views expressed in this filmed oral history interview are solely those of the individual providing them and do not reflect the opinions of the Academy Foundation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Academy Museum Foundation, its members, directors or employees, or any of its affiliated entities (together the “Academy Entities”). Portions of an interview and its accompanying transcript may be edited or redacted by request of the interviewee in accordance with oral history best practices and ethics or, in rare instances, by the discretion of the Academy Entities.


Content warning: This Visual History includes discussion about attempted suicide and thoughts of suicide that some audiences may find disturbing.

00:00:00 Opening Titles
00:00:28 Introduction – Childhood and family
00:09:36 Early Life – Mental health challenges
00:31:17 Early Life – Identity and culture
00:35:52 Influences – Early creative interests
00:48:58 Influences – First movie memory
01:00:02 Early Career – San Francisco
01:15:16 Early Career – Meeting Marlon Brando
01:22:26 Early Career – Activism
01:39:47 Academy Awards® – Representing Marlon Brando
01:58:49 Academy Awards® – Aftermath
02:08:45 Career – Film roles
02:34:32 Career – San Francisco Ballet Company
02:39:10 Career – Impact of Reel Injun
02:41:47 Career – Sacheen: Breaking the Silence
02:46:23 Reflections – Cancer diagnosis and facing mortality
03:01:35 Reflections – Words of gratitude
03:04:04 Part II – Meeting adopted niece/caregiver Calina Lawrence



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