It is a historic moment for the film industry. American actress Lily Gladstone has become the first Native American woman nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. This nomination is a significant milestone, marking a breakthrough in recognizing Native American talent in mainstream cinema.
Lily Gladstone is the first Native American woman in HISTORY to be nominated for Best Actress at the #OSCARS. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZQCA9NYCW0
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) JANUARY 23, 2024
Born on August 2, 1986, in Kalispell, Montana, Gladstone has steadily made her mark in the industry. She made her film debut in “Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian” in 2012 and has since showcased her talent in various roles. Her collaborations with filmmaker Kelly Reichardt in the independent films “Certain Women” (2016) and “First Cow” (2019) are especially noteworthy. Gladstone has also appeared in episodes of HBO’s “Room 104”, Showtime’s “Billions,” and FX’s “Reservation Dogs.”
The nomination came for her critically acclaimed performance. She played Mollie Kyle in Martin Scorsese’s crime drama film “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023). The announcement, made on January 23, 2024, was met with widespread applause and recognition of Gladstone’s exceptional talent.
Gladstone is of Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage. She hopes her nomination will inspire other young Native actresses. She has been a strong advocate for diversity and representation in the film industry, and her nomination is a testament to her commitment to these causes.
Before Gladstone, no other Native American woman had been nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. However, there have been Indigenous actresses nominated in this category. Yalitza Aparicio, a Native Mexican, was nominated for her role in “Roma” (2018). Keisha Castle-Hughes, a Maori native of New Zealand, was nominated for her role in “Whale Rider” (2003). Despite these nominations, no Indigenous or Native American actor has ever won an Academy Award for acting.
More than 8000 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominate actors and actresses for the Oscars. To be considered for an Oscar nomination, actors must have scripted roles in at least three films. For general-entry Oscar categories, such as Best Actress, a film must have been released within the period of eligibility at a cinema in Los Angeles County.
An accounting team at PricewaterhouseCoopers manages the Oscar voting process. They have handled mailing out ballots and tabulating results for over 80 years. The firm mails the ballots of eligible nominees to members of the Academy in December. The votes reflect the previous eligible year and are due in January.
Gladstone’s nomination is a significant step toward improving Indigenous representation in the film industry. It has led to reflections on the history of Indigenous representation at the Oscars. Discussions have included other Indigenous actresses who were nominated in the past. Moreover, Gladstone’s nomination has highlighted the ongoing need for better representation, equity, and equality in the film industry.
We celebrate Gladstone’s historic nomination. We also look forward to seeing more diverse and inclusive representations in the film industry. This nomination sparked discussions. It’s part of a more significant movement towards increased diversity and inclusion in the film industry. And as Gladstone has shown, every step forward makes a difference.
