In 1973, Apache and Yaqui actress Sacheen Littlefeather became the first Native American woman to stand onstage at the Academy Awards.
She attended the ceremony at the request of actor Marlon Brando, after he declined his own invitation.
At Brando's request, Littlefeather rejected his Best Actor award for The Godfather, instead giving a passionate 60-second speech on the stereotyping of her people in the entertainment industry.
She also brought attention to the 1973 Wounded Knee protest in South Dakota.
What took place at the Oscars that night?
Littlefeather's speech, while gracious, nonetheless brought attention to the racist shortcomings of the film industry.
"Mr Brando very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award today, and the reasons for this are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry, and on television and movie reruns and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee."
She later stated that American actor John Wayne, who had demonstrated his views on white supremacy, had to be restrained from trying to forcibly remove her off the stage.
"He was coming towards me to forcibly take me off the stage, and he had to be restrained by six security men to prevent him from doing so,” she said.
In June, Littlefeather was presented with a statement of apology, signed by former Academy President David Rubin. He said the abuse Littlefeather endured "was unwarranted and unjustified".
He apologised for her treatment on that night, which resulted in Littlefeather "being professionally boycotted, personally attacked and harassed, and discriminated against for the last 50 years."
"The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable," the 'statement of reconciliation' said.
Sacheen Littlefeather holds the speech that Marlon Brando had given her at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles March 27, 1973. Source: AP
"For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration."
Littlefeather responds: 'It's only been 50 years!'
"Regarding the Academy's apology to me, we Indians are very patient people—it's only been 50 years!" the activist said.
"We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It's our method of survival."
Next month, she will attend an event with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, titled 'An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather', a special program of "conversation, reflection, healing, and celebration with Sacheen Littlefeather".
"I never thought I'd live to see the day for this program to take place, featuring such wonderful Native performers and Bird Runningwater, a television and film producer who also guided the Sundance Institute's commitment to Indigenous filmmakers for twenty years through the Institute's Labs and Sundance Film Festival.
Sacheen Litlefeather during a press tour for the television show 'Reel Injun'. Source: Getty Images
"This is a dream come true. It is profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago. I am so proud of each and every person who will appear on stage."
