Canadian singer Buffy Sainte-Marie has had her recognition from Canada’s Juno Awards and Polaris Music Prize revoked after revealing that she is actually an American citizen. The prestigious awards organizations announced their decisions to rescind the accolades given to the 84-year-old singer over the years, citing her confirmation of her American nationality in a statement to the Canadian Press on March 4. This revelation came after her appointment to the Order of Canada was terminated earlier in the year.
In response to the news, Sainte-Marie’s representatives have been contacted for comment. Following the confirmation of her American citizenship, the Polaris Music Prize stated in a blog post that she no longer met their eligibility criteria, which require nominees to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents with official government-issued documentation. Consequently, all awards given to Sainte-Marie by the organization, including her 2015 Polaris Music Prize and 2020 Heritage Prize, will be rescinded.
Acknowledging the complexity of Indigenous identity and the challenges some face in obtaining government-issued paperwork, Polaris Music Prize emphasized that lack of documentation should not diminish one’s connection to their community or impact their ability to be nominated. Similarly, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced that Sainte-Marie’s JUNO Awards and Canadian Music Hall of Fame induction will be revoked in accordance with their eligibility requirements due to her confirmed American citizenship.
Sainte-Marie previously mentioned being adopted by a Cree family in Saskatchewan as a young adult and expressed uncertainty about her heritage. While her website once highlighted her alleged Cree ancestry and status as the only Indigenous person to win an Oscar, these statements have been removed following the recent revelations.
Buffy Sainte-Marie, a singer, was born to white parents in Massachusetts and was later adopted. Recent investigations revealed her birth certificate showing her birthplace as Stoneham, Massachusetts. She was originally named Beverly Jean Santamaria and raised by Albert and Winifred Santamaria, whom she considered her adoptive parents. Despite claiming for many years to have been born on the Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan, her lawyer clarified that she had not misrepresented her ancestry to the public.
In her authorized biography, Sainte-Marie shared her understanding of her Native heritage, explaining that she was told about her adoption and partial Indigenous roots but lacked specific details. Emile and Clara Piapot from the Piapot First Nation adopted her in the early 1960s, as confirmed by several family members, providing a strong familial connection that transcended official documentation.
Addressing recent allegations, Sainte-Marie expressed pride in her Indigenous-American identity and emphasized her deep ties to Canada and her Piapot family. She cited her mother’s Mi’kmaq heritage and personal research as sources of her knowledge about her Indigenous ancestry, noting the challenges she faced in tracing her background. The questioning of her heritage was described as painful for Sainte-Marie and her two beloved families, with whom she shares deep love and connection.
The article originally reported by USA TODAY discusses the controversy surrounding Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous claims, resulting in the rescinding of some awards.
