Native American writer Jacqueline Keeler has published a San Francisco Chronicle piece alleging Littlefeather co-opted Indigenous ancestry to further her entertainment career.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a formal apology earlier this year for Littlefeather’s mistreatment at the 1973 Oscars.
Littlefeather said that Wayne tried to approach her after she turned down Marlon Brando’s Best Actor award for “The Godfather” on the Oscars stage.
Littlefeather was asked by Best Actor winner Brando to turn down the award in 1973 due to the treatment of Native Americans.
