Buffy Sainte-Marie, the iconic singer, songwriter, and activist, is pushing back against a recent news report that questions her Indigenous heritage. In a statement to The Canadian Press, Sainte-Marie maintained that she has never lied about her identity and criticized the CBC report for its mistakes and omissions.
The report, published by CBC in October, claimed to have found Sainte-Marie’s birth certificate, which stated that she was born in Massachusetts in 1941 to white parents. It also included information from her marriage certificate, a life insurance policy, and the United States census, all of which supported the claim that she is not Indigenous. Family members, including her younger sister, also affirmed to CBC that Sainte-Marie was not adopted and does not have Indigenous ancestry.
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In response, Sainte-Marie argued that being Indigenous is not solely determined by birth certificates and colonial record keeping. She emphasized that it is about community, culture, knowledge, and relationships. She acknowledged the existence of birth certificates created for Indigenous children who were adopted or taken from their families, and explained that she has only ever had one birth certificate in her possession, but has never known if it was real.
Sainte-Marie accused CBC of interviewing estranged family members whom she does not know and suggested that they were perpetuating a story fabricated by her alleged childhood abuser. She also revealed that she had evidence, including childhood diaries, that prove the abuse.
CBC, however, stands by its story, stating that the evidence was fairly presented and that the birth certificate on file is an original live birth certificate. They claim that they provided Sainte-Marie with a copy of a letter she sent to her brother in 1975, which threatened to reveal the alleged abuse if he tried to harm her.
Throughout her career, Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous heritage has been a central part of her identity. She has brought First Nations culture to the mainstream through her music and activism. Despite the controversy, Sainte-Marie remains resilient, stating that she will not respond to every false allegation. She expressed gratitude for the recent International Emmy Award won by a documentary about her life and career, stating that it comes after a period of personal attack on her character, life, and legacy.
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The debate surrounding Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous heritage has sparked calls for the rescission of awards she has received over her six-decade career. As the controversy continues, Sainte-Marie remains steadfast in her assertion that her identity is not defined by a piece of paper, but by her connections to community, culture, and family.
