Lily Gladstone, renowned for her role in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ has once again left her mark on history. The 37-year-old star clinched the outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role category at the SAG Awards 2024 in Los Angeles, making her the first-ever Indigenous performer to secure a SAG Award.
Addressing the audience, Gladstone began her speech with gratitude, speaking briefly in her native Blackfoot language. “My friends, fellow actors, I feel good in what you have done — what you do,” she expressed. “This has been a hard year for all of us. Those in this room, those not in this room, I’m so proud that we have gotten here in solidarity with all of our other unions.”
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Reflecting on the value of storytelling, Gladstone highlighted the importance of empathy and human connection. “It’s truly a gift that we get to do this for a living. That’s the win. It was getting to be here, it was getting to be on set. It was getting to tell stories,” she remarked. “It’s so easy to distance ourselves. It’s so easy to close off, to stop feeling, and we all bravely keep feeling, and that humanizes people. That brings people out of the shadows; it brings visibility.”
Encouraging others to share their truths, Gladstone underscored the significance of amplifying diverse voices. “Keep telling stories to everybody in this room and watching abroad. Those of you who are not actors but have a voice have a story that needs to be heard,” she urged. “Thank you for all of the compassionate souls in this room and all of the storytellers here tonight. Keep speaking your truths, and keep speaking up for each other.”
Gladstone’s portrayal of Osage woman Mollie Kyle in Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ propelled her into the spotlight. The film sheds light on the Osage murders orchestrated by crime boss William Hale, played by Robert De Niro.
This year, Gladstone became the first Native American woman to win a Golden Globe and earned nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and the Oscars, marking a significant milestone in Indigenous representation in cinema.
Mollie’s character is inspired by a real-life figure from the Osage Nation, whose family fell victim to violence over oil reserves on their reservation in Oklahoma. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is available for streaming on Apple TV+.