Oscars Features Indigenous Land Acknowledgment, Roasted as 'Performative Nonsense' on Social Media

The 97th Annual Academy Awards took a moment during Sunday night's ceremony to acknowledge the ancestral land on which the event was held. Actress Julianne Hough delivered a 15-second statement recognizing three Native American tribes and their historical stewardship of the land.

"We gather in celebration of the Oscars on the ancestral lands of the Tongva, Tataviam, and Chumash peoples, the traditional caretakers of this water and land. We honor and pay our respects to indigenous communities here and around the world," Hough stated early in the show.

While the gesture might have been intended as a moment of reflection, it didn’t exactly land well with everyone. Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) erupted with criticism, with many calling the move insincere and performative.

Abigail Jackson, communications director for Sen. Josh Hawley, labeled it "performative nonsense" and quipped, "Give the land back if you’re so woke." Washington Examiner contributor Brad Polumbo echoed a similar sentiment, writing, "I repeat: give it back or shut the f--- up!"

Questions about historical accountability also surfaced. Libertas Institute President Connor Boyack asked, "Do the named indigenous groups ever have to acknowledge who they took the land from?" Meanwhile, Marine Corps veteran Rick Swift sarcastically wondered if Hough would be "giving up her home."

Political commentator Natalie Jean Beisner summed up the skepticism in a biting comment: "If you’re standing on land owned by the ancient chupacabra and hitachi tribes, then give it back to them. Don’t pretend to care if you don’t actually care. Just be like me and say you don’t care."

Los Angeles County, where the Oscars are traditionally held, formalized a land acknowledgment back in 2022. The county’s statement goes further, noting the impacts of colonization, including "land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide, and multigenerational trauma." It also emphasizes a commitment to "truth, healing, and reconciliation."

While such acknowledgments aim to recognize historical injustices, the debate over their effectiveness and sincerity continues. For now, the question remains whether these gestures lead to meaningful action—or just serve as another fleeting moment in the spotlight.