No One Is Illegal on Stolen Land: Tongva Tribe Responds After Billie Eilish’s Grammys Speech

Billie Eilish made a big statement at the 2026 Grammy Awards. She won Song of the Year for “Wildflower” with her brother, Finneas, and used her speech to talk about immigration, justice, and human rights.

But after the show, people online started asking a tough question: if Billie says America is “stolen land,” what about the land her Los Angeles home sits on? That’s when the Tongva Tribe, the Indigenous people of the Los Angeles Basin, spoke up and shared an important message of their own.

What Did Billie Eilish Say at the Grammy Awards?

When Billie Eilish accepted her Grammy, she said something that quickly went viral:

“No one is illegal on stolen land.”

She also encouraged people to keep speaking up, protesting, and fighting for what’s right. At the end of her speech, she criticized ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), saying “fk ICE”** during a time when immigration is a major topic in the United States.

Billie’s speech was emotional, bold, and political—something that often sparks big reactions online.

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Why Did People Online Get Angry?

After the Grammys, critics on social media pointed out that Billie Eilish owns a multimillion-dollar home in Los Angeles, and that it may be located on land once lived on by the Tongva people.

Some people said:

• If she believes the land was stolen, she should give it back
• If she supports immigrants, she should house people in her mansion
• If she wants to speak about justice, she should “take action,” not just talk

In simple words: people wanted her to “prove it” with real-world choices.

Who Are the Tongva People?

The Tongva Tribe (also called the Gabrieleno Tongva) are the first people of the greater Los Angeles Basin.

Long before Los Angeles became a major U.S. city, the Tongva people lived there, built communities, and cared for the land.

Today, many Tongva people still live in the area, and they continue working to protect their history, identity, and recognition.

If you want to learn more about Indigenous lands and tribes, you can explore resources like:

• Native Land Digital
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior)
• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

What Did the Tongva Tribe Say About Billie Eilish’s Home?

A spokesperson for the Tongva tribe told the Daily Mail that Billie Eilish’s home does appear to sit on their ancestral land.

They also said something important:

• Billie has not contacted the tribe directly
• The tribe appreciates when public figures help bring attention to real history
• They want people to clearly name the Tongva tribe when discussing Los Angeles history

They explained that it’s not enough to just say “stolen land.” They want the public to understand who the land belongs to and which tribe is still connected to it.

Why This Moment Matters

This story isn’t just about Billie Eilish.

It’s really about a bigger conversation happening across the country:

Land acknowledgment

Many people now talk about Indigenous land, but don’t always mention the tribes by name.

Performative activism

Some critics believe celebrities make political statements for attention, not action.

Indigenous visibility

The Tongva tribe’s response reminds people that Native communities are not “from the past.” They are still here.

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The Bigger Issue: Stolen Land and Modern America

When people say “stolen land,” they’re talking about the history of colonization, forced removal, broken treaties, and Native displacement.

This is a real part of U.S. history.

But it also raises modern questions like:

• What does justice look like today?
• How can people support Indigenous tribes in real ways?
• Is land return possible, and how would it work?

These are hard questions, and there’s no one simple answer.

What Can Public Figures Do Instead of Just Talking?

When celebrities speak on political topics, people often expect them to do more than make statements.

Here are realistic ways public figures (and regular people) can support Indigenous communities:

• Name the tribe when discussing land history
• Donate to tribal organizations
• Amplify Indigenous voices instead of speaking over them
• Support Native-led projects in education, language, and cultural preservation
• Learn and share accurate history

The Tongva spokesperson made it clear: visibility is helpful, but direct recognition matters too.

FAQs

1. What did Billie Eilish say that caused controversy?

She said: “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and criticized ICE during her Grammys acceptance speech.

2. Which Native tribe is connected to Los Angeles?

The Tongva Tribe, also known as the Gabrieleno Tongva, are the Indigenous people of the Los Angeles Basin.

3. Does Billie Eilish’s home sit on Tongva land?

A Tongva spokesperson said her home is located on their ancestral land, but Billie has not contacted the tribe directly.

4. Was the Tongva tribe offended by Billie’s comment?

Not exactly. The tribe said they appreciate public visibility, but they also want clear and direct tribal recognition in conversations like this.

5. What does “stolen land” mean?

It refers to the history of Indigenous land being taken through colonization, forced relocation, and broken treaties.

6. What can someone do to support Indigenous communities?

They can learn the real history, name the tribe, donate to Native-led groups, and amplify Indigenous voices.

Conclusion

Billie Eilish’s Grammys speech sparked a major conversation about immigration, activism, and Indigenous land rights. While many praised her for speaking up, others challenged her to take action—especially because her Los Angeles home sits on land connected to the Tongva people.

The Tongva tribe’s response was calm but powerful. They didn’t just criticize. Instead, they asked for something meaningful: clarity, recognition, and truth.

And in the end, that may be the biggest lesson of all: it’s not enough to say “stolen land.”
We also have to remember whose land it is—and whose stories still deserve to be heard.