The Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences is apologizing to actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather for the abuse she endured after refusing Marlon Brando’s 1973 Oscar on his behalf.

Littlefeather, now 75, was the primary Native American lady to step onto the Academy Awards stage when she declined Brando’s finest actor award for “The Godfather” at his behest, utilizing the speech to focus on the movie business’s therapy of Native Individuals.

She was booed, heckled and mocked for doing so. John Wayne needed to be restrained from storming the stage to bodily assault her, she informed The Hollywood Reporter. And it shattered her profession in Hollywood.

Almost 50 years later, the Academy is making an attempt to make issues proper. In keeping with the outlet, Littlefeather was invited because the visitor of honor to an upcoming night of reflection on the Academy Museum, that includes a proper apology from the Academy.

“I used to be surprised. I by no means thought I’d dwell to see the day I might be listening to this, experiencing this,” stated Littlefeather, who’s Apache and Yaqui. “After I was on the podium in 1973, I stood there alone.”

Littlefeather stated the Academy’s assertion was first introduced privately to her in June.

“The abuse you endured due to this assertion was unwarranted and unjustified,” then-Academy president David Rubin stated partially within the June 18 letter. “The emotional burden you have got lived by way of and the associated fee to your personal profession in our business are irreparable. For too lengthy the braveness you confirmed has been unacknowledged. For this, we provide each our deepest apologies and our honest admiration.”

The apology can be learn in full on the Sept. 17 Academy Museum occasion in Los Angeles honoring her.

Watch Littlefeather’s 1973 speech beneath: