Despite Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon taking home no awards at last night’s Oscars (can you say snub?), the poignant film still enjoyed plenty of moments during the awards ceremony. Its leading star, Lily Gladstone, was nominated for best actress and delivered one of the best red carpet looks of the night, sporting a custom Gucci gown made in collaboration with Joe Big Mountain, an Indigenous artist renowned for his quillwork. During the ceremony, composer Scott George and other members of the Osage Nation—a call back to the film, which revolves around the Osage people and how they were historically exploited for oil money—also performed a special healing song titled, “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People).” It was their colorful looks, embedded with special meaning, that served as my personal Oscars highlight.
Rightfully so, it’s clear that the Oscars made intentional space for members of the Osage Nation to attend last night, both on the red carpet and the main stage; With Killers of the Flower Moon amplifying the untold stories of violence and injustices that the Osage have endured, having the community represented during the ceremony was both necessary and, frankly, long overdue. On the red carpet, the dancers and singers made the most of the moment: They brought forward their best traditional regalia for the affair, choosing to wear pieces such as beaded moccasins and sashes, ribbon shirts, turkey-beard roach headpieces, and traditional Osage-style blankets—all of which are typically worn during powwow ceremonies or special community events, not so much a Hollywood step and repeat.
Photo: Getty Images