Sacheen Littlefeather

American actress and activist for Native American civil rights who represented Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she – on Brando's behalf – declined the Best Actor award that he won for his performance in The Godfather. The favourite to win, Brando boycotted the ceremony as a protest against Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans and to draw attention to the standoff at Wounded Knee. During her speech, the audience's response to Brando's boycotting was divided between booing and applause.

After the Academy Awards speech, Littlefeather worked in hospice care. She continued her activism for Native American issues including healthcare and unemployment, and produced films about Native Americans.

In June 2022, the Academy sent Littlefeather a statement of apology that was read in full at An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather on 17 September two weeks before her death.

In 2018, Littlefeather developed stage IV breast cancer, a recurrence of the breast cancer from which she was reported to be in remission in 2012. She said in a 2021 interview that the cancer had metastasized to her right lung and was terminal. Sacheen Littlefeather died from cancer on 2 October 2022 in Novato, California, aged 75.

After her death, she was accused by family members and journalists of falsely claiming Native American heritage.