Marlon Brando refused the Oscar he won for Best Actor in 1973 for his role in "The Godfather" as a protest against Hollywood's portrayal and treatment of Native Americans. He sent Sacheen Littlefeather, an actress and activist, to the ceremony to decline the award on his behalf and to speak about the mistreatment of Native Americans in the film industry and to highlight the ongoing Wounded Knee incident, a 71-day occupation by American Indian Movement activists protesting government policies. Brando felt that his acting career was less important compared to social justice issues and used the Oscar platform to bring attention to these causes. His refusal was a deliberate, bold statement rather than a rejection of the honor itself. The event was contentious, drawing mixed reactions and leading to new rules by the Academy regarding proxy acceptance speeches.