Following a current scandal alleging that the folks artist and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie had fabricated her Canadian Indigenous roots, the Polaris Music Prize and Juno Awards have revoked honors bestowed on the musician.
The discharge of a 2023 documentary produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Firm (CBC) referred to as Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous id into query. A fervent activist for Indigenous causes, as mirrored in songs like “Now That the Buffalo’s Gone,” Sainte-Marie had lengthy claimed that she was born and raised on a Cree reservation in Saskatchewan. Nonetheless, the CBC program uncovered she was the truth is born in Massachusetts.
Earlier this 12 months, Sainte-Marie, was stripped of her Order of Canada appointment. Now, the Polaris Music Prize and the Juno Awards have determined that her collected accolades from each establishments will probably be rescinded, as a consequence of her lack of ability to offer tangible proof of her Canadian and/or Indigenous id.
The Polaris Prize was first awarded in 2006 and honors one full-length musical mission created by a Canadian artist yearly. Sainte-Marie had been awarded two Polaris Prizes; the primary for her 2015 album Energy within the Blood and later a Heritage Prize, which awards works that had been launched previous to the voting physique’s first ceremony, for her 1964 file It’s My Manner!
“Our eligibility standards requires all nominees to be Canadian residents or everlasting residents,” learn a press release from the group, “With proof of standing offered via government-issued documentation, together with passports, beginning certificates, everlasting resident playing cards, and/or safe certificates of Indian Standing.”
The Juno Awards has an extended historical past in Canada. The primary JUNOS had been referred to as the Gold Leaf Awards and its inaugural ceremony was held in February 1970. Offered by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) the JUNOS honor new releases from Canadian artists that 12 months, together with Artist of the Yr and Album of the Yr. Sainte-Marie had obtained a number of Juno Awards, together with the Humanitarian Award in 2017 and Indigenous Music Album of the Yr in 2018. CARAS additionally based the Canadian Music Corridor of Fame in 1978, inducting Sainte-Marie in 1995, which means she’s going to not be a part of the group of famed musicians, which incorporates Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morrisette, Neil Younger, Gordon Lightfoot, and Leonard Cohen, amongst others.
In line with a CARAS press statement, the Academy acknowledges that “this choice isn’t a mirrored image of Ms. Sainte-Marie’s inventive contributions.”
The assertion continued: “Buffy Sainte-Marie has been a powerful supporter and advocate for Canadian music, and we acknowledge the previous contributions she has made to our group. Nonetheless, CARAS’ mandate is to teach, develop, have fun, and honor Canadian artists. Sustaining the integrity of this course of is crucial to making sure the group continues to meet its objective.”
Following the discharge of CBC’s report, Sainte-Marie eliminated specific claims of being Cree from her web site, nevertheless, she maintained that she was Indigenous heritage in public statements. In a brand new assertion responding to her being stripped of the Order of Canada and different accolades, Sainte-Marie mentioned she “by no means handled my citizenship as a secret and most of my buddies and family in Canada have identified I’m American, and it’s by no means been a difficulty.” She added, “Though it’s true that I’ve by no means been sure of the place I used to be born, and did examine the likelihood that I’ll have been born in Canada, I nonetheless don’t know.”
As for her being stripped of her accolades, Sainte-Marie said, “It was very pretty to host the medals for awhile, however I return them with a great coronary heart.”
Sainte-Marie, 84, retired from live performances in 2023, citing bodily accidents and well being issues. Her final file was 2017’s Drugs Songs.
