Lily Gladstone, hailing from Mountlake Terrace, is poised to etch her name into Oscar history. The actress, nurtured in the Pacific Northwest, could become the first Indigenous woman to claim the Best Actress honor at the Academy Awards - a feat that has locals in western Washington brimming with excitement. Her nomination stems from the acclaimed portrayal of Mollie in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," a performance that has already bagged a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Her march towards Oscar glory is not a tale of instant fame but one of dogged persistence interspersed with strokes of luck mirroring the pride that began on the Blackfeet Reservation. A nod from the Academy recognizing her work in a film that brings to light the gruesome killings of Osage Tribal members in the 1920s has sparked a buzz that can be felt all the way from her Washington roots to the heights of Hollywood. "Killers of the Flower Moon," features alongside Gladstone heavyweights like Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, reported KATU.

Gladstone's talent was flagged early on by her former teachers in Washington who are not surprised by her success. "Her story is not one of being an overnight success," states the narrative that reverberates through coverage of her journey. As a testament to her acting prowess, filmmaker Scorsese called her "the soul of the movie," an endearing accolade for any actor, especially in a cast decorated with Oscar winners, according to KLEWTV.

While the award ceremony looms, the impact of Gladstone's potential win resonates deeply with her community and admirers nationwide. A victory at the Oscars would not just be a personal triumph for Gladstone; it would represent a significant moment for Indigenous representation in mainstream cinema. The Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award wins are often seen as precursors to Oscar success, which bodes well for the actress's chances, noted KOMO News.