Lily Gladstone’s Historic Oscar Bid: Unveiling a New Chapter for Indigenous Representation in Hollywood

A Night of Surprises: Reflecting on Indigenous Representation
at This Year’s Academy Awards

• A pivotal moment for indigenous communities in North America is experienced during the 96th annual Academy Awards.

• Native American actress Lily Gladstone is contending for the Best Actress Oscar for “Killers of the Flower Moon”.

• Gladstone’s portrayal of Mollie Burkhart is bringing depth and authenticity to the film.

• Emma Stone is awarded Best Actress over Gladstone, surprising many at the ceremony.

• The Osage community is represented in the film.

In a spectrum of celebrations ranging from Mother’s Day in the UK to the shift towards daylight saving time in the US, a particularly pivotal moment unfolded for the indigenous communities of North America. This period marked not just a time of expectant glitz preceding the 96th annual Academy Awards but also a potential turning point in the film industry for indigenous representation.

Lily Gladstone, a Native American actress hailing from the Blackfeet tribe, stood at the cusp of rewriting history as she contended for the Best Actress Oscar. Her acclaimed portrayal in “Killers of the Flower Moon” had already earned her a Golden Globe earlier in the year, making many insiders and enthusiasts hopeful of her victory. Under the direction of Martin Scorsese, the film, co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro, dove deep into the harrowing narrative of the Osage murders in 1920s Oklahoma, shedding light on themes of greed, conspiracy, racism, and the birth of the FBI.

Gladstone’s portrayal of Mollie Burkhart brought not only controversy but depth to the film, managing to win over initially hesitant Native American communities and even gaining endorsement from the Osage Nation for the authenticity she brought to the role. This widespread recognition and the film’s ten nominations seemed to set the stage for what could have been a historic win during Women’s History Month.

Yet, the ceremony concluded with an unexpected turn. Emma Stone for “Poor Things” clinched the Best Actress category, a decision that came as a surprise to many. Similarly, a nomination for Best Original Song for Scott George, an Osage Nation songwriter, did not culminate in a win, though his performance alongside The Osage Tribal Singers captured national attention.

Despite these setbacks, the 2024 Oscars did witness unprecedented moments of indigenous representation. The presence of George and The Osage Tribal Singers onstage marked a notable diversification of the ceremony, traditionally criticized for its lack of diversity.

The outtake of this year’s Oscars, while highlighting monumental strides towards inclusivity with indigenous and Black talents like Cord Jefferson and Da’Vine Joy Randolph gaining recognition, ultimately underscores the ongoing challenges and the imperative need for broader representation within the film industry. It serves as a pivotal moment for social activists and film enthusiasts alike to rally for more authentic and diverse storytelling that not only includes but celebrates indigenous narratives and contributors on and off the screen.