Lily Gladstone, of Siksikaitsitapi and Niimiipuu heritage, has achieved a historic milestone as the first Native American actress to receive an Oscar nomination at the 96th Academy Awards. Nominated for her role in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” where she portrays real-life figure Mollie Kyle alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, Gladstone’s performance in the 1920s Oklahoma-set crime drama highlights the murders of Osage tribe members by white men seeking to exploit oil rights.
In addition to her Academy Award nomination, Gladstone recently made Golden Globes history by becoming the first Indigenous person to win the award for female actor in a motion picture — drama. She dedicated the achievement to “every little rez kid” and delivered part of her acceptance speech in Blackfeet.
The late composer of “Killers,” Robbie Robertson, also made history by becoming the first Indigenous person nominated for original score. The film received a total of 10 Oscar nominations, spanning categories such as best picture, director, supporting actor, cinematography, editing, production design, song, and costume.
Born in Montana and raised in the Blackfeet Nation, Gladstone had previously made her film debut in Arnaud Desplechin’s 2013 drama “Jimmy P.” and garnered nominations for her role in Kelly Reichardt’s 2016 drama “Certain Women.”
Gladstone’s Oscar nomination follows the recognition of three Indigenous women in the lead actress category in the past: Merle Oberon in 1936 for “The Dark Angel,” Keisha Castle-Hughes in 2003 for “Whale Rider,” and Yalitza Aparicio in 2019 for “Roma.” Two Indigenous men, Chief Dan George in 1971 and Graham Greene in 1991, received nominations in the supporting actor category.
While Jocelyne LaGarde was nominated for supporting actress in 1967 for “Hawaii,” no Indigenous actor has won an Academy Award in any category to date. The 2024 Oscars, where Gladstone’s historic nomination will be celebrated, are scheduled for March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Jimmy Kimmel returning as the host.
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