27 March, 1973.
Marlon Brando's performance in The Godfather won him the Academy Awards for best actor.
A dedicated participant in the African-American civil right movement and a supporter of the Native American cause,Marlon Brando refused to accept the Oscar.
Sacheen Littlefeather appeared in front of the audience in the award ceremony on behalf of Brando. She was a Native American Activist. She explained that owing to the "poor treatment of the Native Americans in the film industry" Brando had denied accepting the award.
This happened on the backdrop of the recent events at "Wounded Knee" .The place "Wounded Knee" was taken over by Native Americans which resulted in a stand-off between them and US authorities.
Marlon Brando's refusal gave media attention to the Native American issue in US and worldwide and was considered a major event in the Native American Movement.
