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Leonardo DiCaprio acknowledges First Nations in Golden Globe acceptance speech

Indigenous communities were the focus of blockbuster star Leonardo DiCaprio's Golden Globe acceptance speech for Best Actor in the film The Revenant.

DiCaprio acknowledged the First Nations represented in the film and called for the history of indigenous communities around the world to be recognised.

“I want to share this award with all the First Nations people represented in this film and all the indigenous communities around the world. It is time that we recognise your history and that we protect your indigenous lands from corporate interests and people that are out there to exploit them.”

Social Media was flooded with praise for the star following his speech at the coveted awards ceremony.

In The Revenant DiCaprio plays legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass who according to historical accounts was left to die by his fur trapping crew after he surprised and was attacked by a grizzly bear trying to protect its cubs.

The film was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and was shot in the Canadian Wilderness using mainly natural light.

Tom Hardy also stars in the film as John Fitzgerald and First Nation actor born in the Nuu-chah-nulth, Duane Howard  stars alongside DiCaprio as 'Elk Dog', the lead native warrior.

Gracey Dove of the Canim Lake Indian Band in northern B.C. also appears in the film as the wife of DiCaprio's character.

In an Instagram post announcing her involvement in the movie Gracey Dove wrote;

"I know this is my true calling because I am able to share these emotions for the world to see. Kukwtsétsemc (thank-you) again to the Creator, my ancestors, my ARCHIE, SYME and HALL families and to my friends and fans for the continued support. This is just the beginning of a huge future for our people."

Melaw Nakehk'o's of the Liidlii Kue, a descendant of leaders of the  Dehcho Dene and Denesuline people makes her professional acting debut and delivers a powerful performance as 'Powaqa' a kidnapped Arikara warrior.

The First Nation tribes depicted in the movie include the Pawnee, Sioux and Arikara also known as the Ree nation.

Image: Courtesy of Golden Globe Awards