Lily Gladstone, known for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” has been nominated for a best actress Oscar, marking a significant moment for Indigenous representation.
Born and raised on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, she reflects on the importance of this recognition and the significance of being the first Native American to receive such a nomination.
The film, which garnered 10 Oscar nominations, sheds light on the story of a real-life Osage woman in the 1920s.
“It’s crazy when Leo DiCaprio is texting you your own high-school yearbook photo,” Gladstone said.
“He told me, ‘I don’t know if you know this, but all of this greatness in your life has brought our whole class back together,’ ” she said. “They’re having an Oscars watch party. They already scheduled it to happen in our old high-school theater, so I’m happy that I didn’t disappoint there.”
“I feel exactly the same way,” Gladstone said. “I’m elated and excited and also just amazed that it took this long. The Oscars take place on Native land, are telling stories that are largely shot on Native land. Why is it taking this long?”
“I told my mom to flip the camera around, because I wanted to learn the news from their reaction,” Gladstone said of a call with her family. “I didn’t expect that I was going to cry, but when I saw my parents react, it hit.”
Gladstone’s emotional response to the nomination and her connection to the community where the film was shot underscore the personal and cultural significance of this achievement.
As a child, “I remember my dad said, ‘One day, Martin Scorsese will make his Indian movie,’ ” she said. “So when this came around with Robbie Robertson, I was like, ‘Man, Dad, you’re a little bit of a wizard.’ “
“I so wish that Leo would have gotten his due for the incredible work he did,” she added. “I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did without what he did.”
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