Wes Studi (Cherokee), Honorary Chair of the National Endowment Campaign, is an actor best known for his leading roles in films including Last of the Mohicans and Geronimo. Mr. Studi is a fluent speaker of the Cherokee language, a former language teacher in his community, and the author of two bilingual Cherokee-English children’s books. He is a national spokesperson for the Indigenous Language Institute and serves on ILI’s National Endowment Campaign.
At the 90th Academy Awards, while introducing a tribute to military movies, Studi gave part of his speech in the Cherokee language.
Wes Studi will be receiving the Academy Honorary Award becoming the first Native American actor to receive this Oscar. Studi will be awarded with the Oscar on October 27, 2019 during the 11th annual Governors Awards.
“I am deeply honored and humbled,” Studi tweeted. “I finally get to say, ‘I’d like to thank the Academy.’ ”