This is a list of Indigenous people who have won or been nominated for Academy Awards. It includes those of provable Indigenous descent regardless of whether they passed as white at the time of their nomination, such as Merle Oberon.
Best Picture Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2019(92nd) Taika WaititiChelsea Winstanley Māori Jojo Rabbit Winstanley is the first Māori of Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāi Te Rangi descent to be nominated for an Academy Award. Husband-wife team at the time. Shared with Carthew Neal.
Best Actor in a Leading Role Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef.1999(72nd)Russell CroweMāoriThe Insider First Māori of Ngāti Porou descent to be nominated for an Academy Award.2000(73rd)Gladiator First Pacific Islander to win an Academy Award. First Indigenous person to win Best Actor. First Indigenous person to receive multiple nominations. First Māori of Ngāti Porou descent to win an Academy Award.2001(74th)A Beautiful Mind First Indigenous person to receive three consecutive Academy nominations. 2018(91st) Rami Malek Coptic Bohemian Rhapsody First Copt to be nominated for and to win an Academy Award.
Best Actress in a Leading Role Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2003(76th) Keisha Castle-Hughes Māori Whale Rider Debut performance. First Māori of Tainui and Ngāpuhi descent to be nominated for an Academy Award. At the time of nomination, she was the youngest ever nominee in the category. She is the now the second youngest after Quvenzhané Wallis. 2018(91st) Yalitza Aparicio Mixtec & Trique Roma Debut performance. First North American Indigenous woman to receive an Academy Award nomination for acting. 2023(96th)Lily Gladstone Piegan Blackfeet & Nez Perce Killers of the Flower Moon First Native American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Year(Ceremony) NameCountryEthnic group(s) Film Status Milestones/NotesRef. 1970(43rd) Chief Dan George Tsleil-Waututh Little Big Man First North American Indigenous person to be nominated for an Academy Award. 1987(60th) Sean Connery Irish TravellerThe Untouchables First European Indigenous person to be win an Academy Award 1990(63rd)Graham Greene OneidaDances With Wolves First Oneida to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestones/NotesRef. 1966(39th)Jocelyne LaGardeTahitianHawaii The first and only actor to be nominated for their first and only film performance. First Indigenous person to be nominated for an Academy Award. First Tahitian to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Best Adapted Screenplay Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2019(92nd) Taika Waititi Māori Jojo Rabbit First Māori of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent to win an Academy Award.
Best Original Score Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 1987(60th) Jonas Gwangwa Northern Ndebele Cry Freedom First African Indigenous person to be nominated for an Academy Award. First Indigenous person to be nominated for two Academy Awards in a single year, for Original Score and Original Song. Shared with George Fenton. 2023(96th) Robbie Robertson Cayuga & Mohawk Killers of the Flower Moon First Cayuga and first Mohawk to be nominated for an Academy Award. Posthumous release.
Best Documentary Feature Film Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2024(97th) Julian Brave NoiseCat / Secwépemc Sugarcane Shared with Emily Kassie and Kellen Quinn
Best Original Song Year(Ceremony) NameCountryEthnic group(s) Film Song Status Milestones/NotesRef. 1987(60th) Jonas Gwangwa Northern Ndebele Cry Freedom "Cry Freedom" First African Indigenous person to be nominated for an Academy Award. First Indigenous person to be nominated for two Academy Awards in a single year, for Original Score and Original Song. Shared with George Fenton. 2023(96th)Scott GeorgeOsage NationKillers of the Flower Moon"Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)" First member of the Osage Nation to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Best Production Design Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2012(85th)Ra VincentMāori The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Shared with Dan Hennah and Simon Bright. 2019(92nd) Jojo Rabbit Shared with Nora Sopková.
Best Sound Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2001(74th)Hammond PeekMāori The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring First Māori of Ngāi Tahu and Te Āti Awa descent to be nominated for an Academy Award. Shared with Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick and Gethin Creagh. 2002(75th) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Shared with Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick and Michael Hedges. 2003(76th) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King First Māori of Ngāi Tahu and Te Āti Awa descent to win an Academy Award. Shared with Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick and Michael Hedges. 2005(78th) King Kong First Indigenous person to win multiple Academy Awards. Most nominated Indigenous person, with four nominations. Shared with Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick and Michael Hedges.
Best Short Film, Live Action Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 2004(77th) Taika WaititiAinsley Gardiner Māori Two Cars, One Night First Māori of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent to be nominated for an Academy Award. Gardiner is also the first Māori of Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Awa descent to be nominated for an Academy Award. 2023(96th) Misan Harriman Itsekiri The After First Itsekiri to be nominated for an Academy Award. Shared with Nicky Bentham.
Best Foreign Language Film Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)FilmStatusMilestone / NotesRef. 1987(60th) Nils Gaup Sámi Pathfinder First Arctic Indigenous person to be nominated for an Academy Award. First European Indigenous person to be nominated for an Academy Award, along with Sean Connery for The Untouchables.
Honorary Award Year(Ceremony)NameCountryEthnic group(s)Milestone / NotesRef. 2019(92nd) Wes Studi Cherokee Nation(Native American) First and only Indigenous person to be awarded an Honorary Award.
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