Beverly Hills, California – Lily Gladstone made history at the 2023 Golden Globes on Sunday as the first indigenous person to win the best performance by a female actor in a dramatic motion picture. Her groundbreaking win came for her role in the Martin Scorsese-directed drama “Killers of the Flower Moon,” where she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
During her acceptance speech, Gladstone expressed her gratitude and recognized the significance of her achievement. She emphasized that the award was not just for her but also for her community, stating, “I’m holding it right now, holding it with all my beautiful sisters.”
Speaking initially in the Blackfeet language, Gladstone highlighted the Blackfeet Nation’s support and encouragement throughout her journey. She paid tribute to her mother, who tirelessly worked to incorporate their language into their classrooms, giving her the opportunity to have a Blackfeet English teacher as she grew up.
In a profession where native actors were previously required to perform lines in English and have them played in reverse to appear in their native languages on screen, Gladstone expressed her gratitude for being able to speak “a little bit” of her language.
Gladstone concluded her speech by acknowledging the Osage Nation, which is central to the storyline of “Flower Moon.” She dedicated her win to the children who have seen themselves represented in stories told by their own people, with the support of allies and immense trust.
Born and raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in northwestern Montana, Gladstone holds tribal affiliations with Kainai, Amskapi Piikani, and Nimi’ipuu First Nations.
In “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Gladstone portrays Mollie Burkhart, the wife of Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
This is Gladstone’s first Golden Globe nomination and win, cementing her place in cinematic history as the first indigenous female actor to receive this honor.