The 30th Annual Screen Actor’s Guild Awards honored the best achievements in entertainment for the year of 2023 and the big wins of the night felt close to home. Very close to home, actually, as the award show happened just steps away from USC’s campus.
Lights, Camera, Action!
In the midst of Hollywood’s brightest stars this weekend, Lily Gladstone made history.
She was the first Native American woman to be nominated and to win best lead actress for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
From “Killers of the Flower Moon:” “There’s murder in Osage and the police do not think.”
Gladstone took home her award from the SAG awards just off USC’s campus at Shrine Auditorium. Her victory marks the first time an Indigenous woman has won most outstanding performance for a lead actress role.
Gladstone was also the first Indigenous woman to win best actress at the Golden Globes for her performance in the film. And, she’s the first Indigenous Oscar nominee for best actress.
In Martin Scorsese’s film, Gladstone plays an Osage woman named Mollie. The film tells the true, mostly untold story of the many Osage murders in 1920s Oklahoma.
Gladstone began her SAG Award acceptance speech in the Blackfeet language.
Gladstone’s SAG Awards Speech translation: “Hello all my friends... relatives. My name is Eagle Woman. I am Blackfeet. I love you all.”
Gladstone was also seen sporting earrings designed by Blackfeet/Cree artist Lenise Omeasoo.
Dylan Goodwill works in native student recruitment for USC. She expressed her joy at seeing the media represent native people as not just a people having survived an immense trauma, but who have persevered and are still here. Goodwill commends Gladstone on her accurate portrayal of native people and ability to embody this persevering spirit.
Dylan Goodwill: “She’s pioneering a whole new kind of area that our people haven’t been in yet. And so it’s really awesome to be able to see her just being able to win. It’s a win for all of us.”
USC junior, Kaitlin Becenti, who’s on the board of the Native American Student Assembly, echoes Goodwill’s sentiments.
Kaitlin Becenti: “We’re seeing like res kids being represented on the screen. And that’s all we’ve ever wanted, because it really shows us that we can dream bigger and be able to make it.”
Lily Gladstone ended her acceptance speech with a heartwarming call to action for us to continue creating visibility and representation for underrepresented individuals and communities.
Lily Gladstone: “Those of you who are not actors, but have a voice have a story that needs to be heard.... Keep speaking your truths and keep speaking up for each other.”
For Annenberg Media, I’m Sarah Arencibia