Buffy Sainte-Marie Pushes Back on CBC Investigation Questioning Indigenous Heritage, Calls It an Attack on Her Character and Legacy

Iconic singer, songwriter, and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie is speaking out against a recent CBC News investigation that questions her Indigenous heritage. The investigation, conducted by CBC’s The Fifth Estate, alleges that Sainte-Marie has misrepresented her identity. In her first public statement since the story was published on October 27, the 82-year-old artist asserts that the report is filled with errors and omissions. She describes it as an attack on her character, life, and legacy.

Sainte-Marie argues that being Indigenous is not solely determined by birth certificates and colonial record-keeping, but rather by community, culture, knowledge, relationships, and family connections. She dismisses the notion that her identity can be reduced to a piece of paper. The CBC investigation claims that her birth certificate lists her as white and was corroborated by other documents such as her marriage certificate, a life insurance policy, and the United States census. Family members, including her younger sister, also reportedly denied her Indigenous ancestry.

Sainte-Marie contends that birth certificates for Indigenous children were often created or altered when they were adopted or taken away from their families. She states that she has used a birth certificate throughout her life, but has never known if it was genuine. She points out that many others have similar experiences and feel victimized by such allegations.

CBC stands by its story, asserting that the evidence was fairly presented. The broadcaster claims to have an original birth certificate on file from Stoneham, Massachusetts, and denies the possibility of another certificate being inserted later. CBC also says that they interviewed two estranged family members of Sainte-Marie, who allegedly perpetuated a false narrative created by her alleged childhood abuser.

Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous heritage has been a central part of her identity and career. She has been instrumental in bringing First Nations culture to a broader audience and has received numerous accolades, including multiple Juno Awards and the Polaris Music Prize. However, there have been calls for these awards to be rescinded in light of the CBC investigation.

Despite the controversy, a documentary about Sainte-Marie’s life and career recently won an International Emmy Award. In her statement, Sainte-Marie expresses gratitude for the recognition and acknowledges the emotional toll of the recent attack on her character. She remains steadfast in her assertion that she is not defined by a piece of paper, but by her community, culture, and love for her two families.