50 years later, Oscar apologizes to American activist and actress Acheene Littlefeather

   Sacheen Littlefeather turned down Brando's Oscar at his request. Pic: TS/Keystone USA/Rex/Shutterstock

The Oscars academy has expressed regret to a Native American actress who is well-known for taking the stage in 1973 to support Marlon Brando as he won the best actor prize.

Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather in his place as a protest against the treatment and stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans by the film industry.

The activist and actress was only given a minute to summarise the film legend's lengthy statement to the estimated 85 million spectators.

Littlefeather was booed after her speech by some in the audience, while there was also cheering, for refusing to receive the statuette from Roger Moore.

She has since been "professionally boycotted, personally assaulted and tormented, and discriminated against for the last 50 years," according to an apology from the Academy of Motion Pictures.

David Rubin, the president of the academy, expressed his "sincere admiration and sincere regrets."

He complimented the 75-year-bravery old's and called the violence she had experienced "unwarranted and unjustified" in an open letter to her.

In a statement released by the Academy, Littlefeather remarked, "Regarding the Academy's apologies to me, we Indians are very patient people - it's only been 50 years!"

"We must always maintain a sense of humour about this. It serves as our means of survival.

She also said it was a "dream come true" that the Academy is hosting an "evening of conservation, healing and celebration" - featuring herself and Native American performances on 17 September.

For his renowned portrayal in The Godfather, Brando declined the Oscar.

Later, he said on US television that speaking to tens of millions of people was a "marvellous chance" since "the American Indian hasn't been able to have his voice heard anyplace in the history of the United States".