Leonardo DiCaprio dedicates Golden Globe to Indigenous peoples

Leonardo DiCaprio has used the Golden Globes as a platform to pay tribute to First Nations people and push for Indigenous rights.

Accepting his award for Best Actor at the 2016 Golden Globes for his performance in the film The Revenant, the Hollywood star dedicated his award to Indigenous people around the world.

"I want to share this award with all the First Nations people represented in this film and all the Indigenous communities around the world," DiCaprio said.

To the Indigenous peoples of the world: it is time we recognise your history

"To the Indigenous peoples of the world: it is time we recognise your history and we protect your Indigenous lands from corporate interests and people who are out there to exploit them," he said.

"It is time we heard your voice and protected this planet for future generations."

Leonardo DiCaprio on the red carpet for the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards. Source: AAP

The Revenant, directed by Alejandro Inarritu, is set in 1823 North America and features DiCaprio as frontiersman, Hugh Glass.

The film includes portrayals of Arikara culture and people, American Indians from South Dakota and North Dakota region of the US as well as cast members with Indigenous backgrounds.

Grace Dove from Canada's Canim Lake Indian Band plays Dicaprio’s wife, Duane Howard plays Chief Elk Dog, Melaw Nakehk’o plays the chief’s daughter and Saskatchewan’s Isaiah Tootoosis from the Poundmaker Cree Nation plays Dicaprio’s son.

First Nations man Craig Falcon, from Montana, provided cultural advice and taught the language of the Arikara people to the actors and film crew, including DiCaprio.

"Leo was a good student. He would really get himself into character when he was speaking Arikara or doing sign language," Falcon told APTN.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass in a scene from the film The Revenant, Source: AAP

He added that the film crew embraced Indigenous traditions on location.

"The first thing that they wanted to do is make sure that everyone is alright," Falcon told APTN. "So they’d want to smudge every morning and they’d want a blessing for everybody."

The film includes Indigenous extras from Alberta and British Columbia. 

The Revenant also picked up a Golden Globe for best movie drama.