First Indigenous Winner of Best Actress in a Drama at Golden Globes Speaks in Blackfeet Language
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Lily Gladstone made history at the Golden Globes as the first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama. When she took the stage to accept her award for her role in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Gladstone delivered her acceptance speech in the Blackfeet language, addressing every little rez kid, urban kid, and Native kid who sees themselves represented and their stories told.
A Historic Win for Indigenous Representation
Gladstone, 37, portrayed Mollie Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a character whose family was brutally murdered during a reign of terror targeting the Osage people for their oil-rich land in Oklahoma. This win is not only a personal achievement for Gladstone but also a significant milestone for Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry.
Support from Leonardo DiCaprio and the Osage Nation
Leonardo DiCaprio, Gladstone’s co-star in the film, showed his solidarity by wearing an Osage pin on the red carpet. He expressed his support for the Osage Nation and their struggle, emphasizing the unity between the cast and the community they portrayed on screen.
Acknowledging Her Parents’ Support
Backstage after her win, Gladstone expressed gratitude towards her parents for their unwavering support throughout her career. She mentioned that her father watched the ceremony from home, where they planned to celebrate with a big feast. Gladstone’s parents never doubted her passion for acting and always stood by her side, providing support during both difficult and prosperous times.
The Blackfeet Nation and Language Preservation
Gladstone, who grew up between Seattle and the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, acknowledged the Blackfeet Nation for their continuous encouragement. She highlighted the efforts made by her mother, who is not Blackfeet but worked tirelessly to introduce the Blackfeet language into classrooms, ensuring Gladstone had a Blackfeet-language teacher while growing up.
Looking Ahead to the Oscars
Gladstone’s historic win has sparked speculation about a potential Oscar win. When asked about it, she expressed that it would be an incredible moment in her life but emphasized that it would hold much greater significance beyond herself. Gladstone hopes to have the opportunity to speak and teach more of her language if she were to win an Oscar.
A Milestone for Native Actors
Gladstone’s nomination and win at the Golden Globes mark a significant milestone for Native actors in the industry. She spoke about the challenges faced by Native actors in the past, where they were often required to speak their lines in English and have them dubbed into Native languages during post-production. Gladstone’s ability to speak even a little of her language on stage is a testament to the progress being made.
A Message of Unity
In her acceptance speech, Gladstone emphasized that the award does not solely belong to her but is shared with all the “beautiful sisters” she worked with on the film. This recognition represents a collective achievement for Indigenous representation in the industry.
Associated Press writer Beth Harris contributed to this report.
