In his Twitter post announcing his passing, the Academy quoted Littlefeather as saying: "When I'm gone, always remember that every time you stand up for your truth, you will keep my voice and the voices of our nations alive. and our peoples".
Two weeks ago, the Academy held a ceremony at its new museum in Los Angeles to honor Littlefeather and publicly apologize for the treatment she suffered at the Academy Awards nearly 50 years ago. year.
Littlefeather, who is Apache and Yaqui, was booed at the 1973 Academy Awards -- the first to be broadcast live around the world -- as she explained on Brando's behalf why he wouldn't accept her Best Actor Oscar for 'The Godfather'.
Brando had asked Littlefeather to decline the award for him in protest at the film industry's treatment of Native Americans.
"I went there, like a proud Indian woman, with dignity, courage, grace and humility," Littlefeather said during the ceremony at the museum.
"I knew I had to tell the truth. Some people may accept it. Some people may not."
She said it was necessary to stop veteran western star John Wayne from physically attacking her as she left the stage.
Littlefeather, a member of the Screen Actors Guild -- the first union for screen actors founded in 1933 -- then struggled to find work in Hollywood, as casting directors were warned not to employ him.
Asked by reporters ahead of the ceremony how she felt about waiting so long to receive an apology, Ms Littlefeather was philosophical.
"It's never too late for an apology. It's never too late for forgiveness," she replied.
© 2022 AFP