Lily Gladstone Makes History as First Native American Nominated for Best Actress Oscar
Lily Gladstone, whose powerful performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon” has captivated audiences and critics alike, made history at the Oscars as the first Native American person to be nominated for a competitive acting Academy Award.
In the film, Gladstone portrays a wealthy Osage woman whose family becomes the target of a murderous plot by white men seeking to steal their oil rights. Her portrayal quickly drew accolades following the premiere of Martin Scorsese’s historical epic at the Cannes Film Festival last May.
Fellow actress Jennifer Lawrence praised Gladstone, saying, “You are the soul of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’” as she introduced her as a nominee at the Oscars.
Earlier this year, Gladstone, who has Blackfeet and Nez Percé heritage, made history by becoming the first Indigenous person to win a Golden Globe for best actress. During her acceptance speech, she shared a snippet of Blackfeet language and highlighted the progress Hollywood has made in representing Native Americans onscreen.
Gladstone’s success comes at a time when opportunities for Native actors in the industry remain scarce. A recent study found that speaking roles for Native actors in films released from 2007 to 2022 amounted to less than one quarter of 1 percent.
Despite the challenges, Gladstone remains committed to paving the way for future generations of Native actors. “If I’ve kicked the door in,” she said in an interview, “I’m just trying to stand here and leave it open for everybody else.”
With her groundbreaking performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Gladstone has not only solidified her place in Hollywood but has also opened doors for greater representation and diversity in the industry.
