Lily Gladstone made history Sunday night by becoming the first Indigenous person to win the Golden Globe for Actress of the Year; a coronation that represents a wonderful breath of hope for the indigenous people of the province.
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“She will become a role model for indigenous communities,” says proudly Samian, a multidisciplinary artist of Algonquian origins, who we have seen in the film Hochelaga, Land of Souls (2017) and in the series Aller simple, among others.
Lily Gladstone starred in the film Killers of the Flower Moon, produced and directed by Martin Scorsese. Alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, she played the role of Mollie Burkhart, a member of the Osage Native Nation in Oklahoma who is determined to put an end to a series of murders linked to oil wealth in the community.
Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. PHOTO PROVIDED BY APPLE TV+
“It shows that we have our place in this industry. It's no longer just about choosing an actor because he's local, but because he has talent.” “It's a big victory,” emphasizes the man, who is also a rapper, photographer and speaker.
Leonardo DiCaprio did not fail to highlight his friend's talent the day after his victory.
“Lily, you are the heart and soul of this film, a formidable force and an incredible talent. Happy birthday my friend,” he posted on his Instagram platform.
According to Samian, this Lily Gladstone triumph could have a similar impact on indigenous communities as the 2002 Academy Awards did on Afro-Colombian communities, when Denzel Washington and Halle Berry became the first black acting duo to win the actor and actress statuettes that year.
Take more risks
According to Quentin Condo, a Mi'kmaq author from Gaspésie who is currently writing the highly anticipated series “Bon Cop, Bad Cop,” a win like Lily Gladstone's at the Golden Globes has the power to unite members of communities to encourage trusting each other more.
“Seeing our team perform so well on such a big stage can inspire young people to take more risks and be braver. “You now see that it is possible,” he says happily.