Sacheen Littlefeather

Biography

Sacheen Littlefeather was a pioneering Native American civil rights activist and actress who became an iconic figure in 1973 when she declined the Best Actor award on behalf of Marlon Brando at the Academy Awards. Born Marie Louise Cruz to Apache and Yaqui parents, Littlefeather went on to work in hospice care and continue her activism for healthcare and unemployment issues affecting Native Americans. She also produced films about Native American experiences.