At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Virtuosos Awards, Lily Gladstone made a significant statement about Native American representation while discussing her nomination for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. As the first Native American performer to receive this honor, Gladstone emphasized that it was a milestone that had been long overdue.
During her conversation with correspondent Dave Karger, the 37-year-old actress, who has Siksikaitsitapi and Niimiipuu heritage, highlighted the historical contributions of Native filmmakers and their documentation of indigenous cultures. She acknowledged that while there has been progress, there remains a long history of exclusion and misrepresentation.
