In 1973, Marlon Brando decided not to accept his Oscar for The Godfather. Instead, on his behalf, Sacheen Littlefeather turned down the on-stage award presentation and spoke out against the stereotypical treatment of Native Americans in film and brought attention to the then-ongoing Wounded Knee protest in South Dakota.
As you might imagine, Littlefeather’s presence was not well received—a half-dozen security reportedly had to hold back John Wayne to prevent him from rushing the stage—and boycotts and harassment have followed her in the decades since her minute-long speech.
But finally, the Academy has issued an apology over the incident and has invited Littlefeather to speak at the Academy Museum. The free program includes a conversation between Littlefeather and co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance, Bird Runningwater, plus a series of performances, statements and a formal apology.