Sacheen Littlefeather, the actor and activist who declined Marlon Brando's 1973 Academy Award for The Godfather on his behalf in an indelible protest of how Indigenous people in the United States had been portrayed on screen, has died. She was 75. • Littlefeather's niece, Calina Lawrence, confirmed that she died peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones at her Marin County, Calif., home. The cause was breast cancer, the family said. • Littlefeather's appearance at the 1973 Oscars would become one of the award show's most famous moments. Littlefeather took the stage when presenter Roger Moore read Brando's name as the winner for best actor. • Speaking to the audience, Littlefeather cited Indigenous stereotypes in film and the then-ongoing weeks-long protests at Wounded Knee in South Dakota as the reason for Brando's absence. • "I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity," Littlefeather said. • In the years after, she endured considerable scorn and abuse for her speech, she said. • Only recently did the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially address the treatment Littlefeather received following her appearance. • In August, the film academy apologized to Littlefeather, and two weeks ago, it held an evening of "conversation, healing and celebration" in her honour. • • • Photo: Associated Press #sacheenlittlefeather #marlonbrando #oscars #cbcindigenous