( Leonardo DiCaprio during speech at the Golden Globe Awards.)
Brandi Morin
APTN National News
One of Hollywood’s biggest stars dedicated his award to Indigenous peoples after winning Best Actor, drama at the Golden Globes on Sunday evening.
Leonardo DiCaprio finished his speech by recognizing the Indigenous actors in, The Revenant.
“I want to share this award with all the First Nations people represented in this film and all the Indigenous communities around the world,” said DiCaprio.
The movie, just released Friday is seeing a successful run at the box-office.
DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, a hunter-trapper of American folklore who lived in the early 1800s. After being attacked by a bear, witnessing his son killed and left for dead, Glass crawls his way through the frigid wilderness to seek revenge.
The movie was shot in Alberta, British Columbia and Montana and features many Indigenous actors from Canada.
https://youtu.be/ncgFQAISaGo
DiCaprio said recognition of Indigenous history is overdue and spoke against the profiteering off Indigenous lands.
“It is time that we recognize your history and that we protect your Indigenous lands from corporate interests and people that are out there to exploit them,” he said.
In August 2014 the actor visited Fort Chipewyan in northern Alberta along with director Darren Aronofsky to learn about the plight of the community which sits downstream from the oil sands.
DiCaprio struck a friendship with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam and later joined Adam at the Peoples Climate March in New York City in September 2014. The event drew hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness about climate change.
DiCaprio, an environmental activist and United Nations delegated Messenger of Peace, also acknowledged Indigenous knowledge in protecting the earth.
“It’s time that we heard your voice and protected this planet for future generations.”
Immediately following his speech social media lit up with a mixture of shock and praise for the Hollywood leading man for his remarks.
Congratulations to @LeoDiCaprio and thank you for your speech. The earth owns us all. #indigenousrights
— tanya tagaq (@tagaq) January 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/WabKinew/status/686416241695797248
Leo's dad told our Chief that his visit to Fort Chip changed his life. I asked an elder if it was alright if I married him. 😂😂
— Melissa Daniels (@DeneLegalEagle) January 11, 2016
@songstress25
Thank you Honorable Leonardo DiCaprio and Native Americans are the real backbone of this country and for the record have kept land and water clean for thousands of years.