Established by the Red Nation Celebration Institute in 2008, the Marlon Brando Award honors the enduring legacy of Marlon Brando and his steadfast commitment to American Indian advocacy, cultural representation, social justice, and the cinematic arts. This award serves as a bridge for healing between the entertainment industry and Native communities, acknowledging the historic moment on March 27, 1973, when Sacheen Littlefeather took the stage at the 45th Academy Awards on Brando’s behalf to decline the Best Actor award for The Godfather. Littlefeather became the first Native person to stand on the Academy Awards stage, marking a pivotal moment in Hollywood’s relationship with Indigenous representation.