Leonardo DiCaprio calls for action on aboriginal rights at the Golden Globes

Leonardo DiCaprio had a few words to say about First Nations people at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards held in Los Angeles last night (January 10).

He took the stage to accept the award for best actor in a dramatic motion picture for his work in The Revenant.

That film tells the harrowing survival story of a Scots-American trapper lost in the Rocky Mountains in the 19th century.

It was primarily filmed in Alberta and includes several First Nations people in memorable roles. Among them is Duane Howard, a Nuu-chah-nulth man who grew up in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island.

Upon accepting the award, DiCaprio expressed gratitude for the sorts of people usually named in such speeches.

“I have to thank all of the people involved in making this film,” he began before delivering a long list consisting of everyone from his parents to the film’s writers to his agent and makeup artist.

https://twitter.com/goldenglobes/status/686397257671819268

Finally, quite some time after the Golden Globes theme music started playing to queue the actor off stage, DiCaprio added a few words about the First Nations people he had worked with and who are represented in The Revenant.

“Lastly, I want to share this award with all the First Nations people represented in this film, and all the indigenous communities around the world,” he said.

“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,” DiCaprio continued. “It is time that we heard your voice and protected this planet for future generations.”

The Revenant opened in Vancouver on January 8.