US film academy apologises to Indigenous activist for Oscar abuse

Sacheen Littlefeather became the target of racist abuse after taking a stand for Native American rights at the 1973 Academy Award ceremony, where she criticised insulting portrayals of Native Americans in the US film industry [File: AP Photo]

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has apologised to Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native-American activist who endured abuse when she took a stand in the 1970s against anti-Indigenous racism in the United States film industry.

The US film academy said in a statement on Monday that it will host Littlefeather, now 75, for an evening of conversation and healing on September 17.