Native American Tribe Rejects Billie Eilish After ‘Stolen Land’ Remark

Native American Tribe Rejects Billie Eilish’s ‘Stolen Land’ Remark, Says Her Home Sits on Our Ancestral Land

When singer Billie Eilish used her platform at the 2026 Grammy Awards to make a political statement that “no one is illegal on stolen land,” the moment was intended as a show of solidarity with immigrant rights and marginalized communities. However, the reaction took an unexpected turn when a Native American tribe whose ancestral territory includes parts of Los Angeles issued its own response, challenging aspects of Eilish’s remark and highlighting a deeper issue tied to history, identity, and land acknowledgment.

A Grammy Speech with a Social Message

At the prestigious music awards ceremony, Billie Eilish accepted Song of the Year and took the opportunity to comment on broader social issues — including denouncing the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and calling attention to historical injustices. Her message, “no one is illegal on stolen land,” was amplified by supporters of immigration reform and civil rights activists.

While many applauded her stance on immigration, the phrasing also drew sharp attention to the history of land dispossession in the United States — a legacy rooted in the displacement of Indigenous peoples. The issue became even more pointed when members of the Gabrieleno/Tongva Tribe, the Native Americans historically inhabiting the Los Angeles Basin, weighed in.

Read more: US Trade Deal: India Gains Edge With 18% Tariff Over Pakistan, China, Bangladesh

The Tongva Tribe’s Response

The Tongva Tribe, sometimes referred to as the “First Angelenos,” issued a public statement acknowledging the singer’s attempt to highlight injustice but also making it clear that Eilish’s own property sits on land they consider ancestral. According to the tribe, her Los Angeles home lies within what they define as their traditional territory.

In their statement, the Tongva people expressed appreciation for the visibility the Grammy moment brought to the idea of “stolen land,” but they also emphasized that public figures should go beyond symbolic remarks. They pointed out that Eilish had not reached out to them directly about her property or consulted with the community before making the comment.

Rather than condemning her outright, the tribe’s message stressed the importance of specificity and recognition. They encouraged future discussions to explicitly name Indigenous groups like themselves so the public can better understand whose land is being referenced.

Broader Backlash and Debate

The Tongva response has sparked widespread conversation on social media and in news cycles. Some commentators accused Eilish of hypocrisy or “performative activism,” arguing that acknowledging historical wrongs must be paired with tangible actions such as advocacy, allyship or efforts to support Indigenous communities. Critics highlighted that merely using the phrase “stolen land” without acknowledgment of specific tribal histories can feel shallow or incomplete.

Others argue that Eilish’s comments, even if imperfect, help draw attention to broader issues of colonialism and settler history. The debate centers on how celebrities and public figures should engage with complex historical topics, especially when their personal lives intersect with those histories.

The Importance of Land Acknowledgment

The controversy highlights a larger cultural discussion about how societies remember and recognize Indigenous histories. In recent years, land acknowledgments — statements recognizing that current inhabitants live on land historically inhabited by Indigenous peoples — have become increasingly common at public events, academic gatherings, and civic functions.

For many Indigenous communities, these acknowledgments are more than symbolic. They serve as a reminder of historical displacement and ongoing struggles for cultural preservation, sovereignty, and legal recognition. By explicitly naming tribes and their territories, supporters say public discourse can better reflect historical truths and foster deeper understanding.

What Comes Next

As of now, Billie Eilish has not directly responded to the Tongva Tribe’s statement. The conversation, however, has continued across traditional media and online platforms, with some voices calling for her to engage more directly with Indigenous communities and others defending the broader intent of her Grammy speech.

Read more: Sitharaman Cites Elon Musk Post, Slams Opposition on India’s GDP Role

The episode underscores how powerful moments on global stages can spark complex conversations about history, identity, and accountability. It also reveals the nuanced expectations Indigenous communities have regarding respect, recognition, and representation.

Ultimately, the exchange between Eilish and the Tongva Tribe is part of a larger cultural moment — one where issues of land rights, historical justice, and public discourse intersect, inviting deeper reflection and more meaningful engagement.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join. 

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.