Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and Oscar-winning songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie has had her prestigious Order of Canada appointment terminated, according to a statement from the Governor General. The decision was made by Ordinance signed on January 3, 2025, but no specific reason for the termination was stated.
Allegations that Sainte-Marie fabricated her Indigeneity have been circulating since an investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “Fifth Estate” show in October 2023. The report claimed that Sainte-Marie presented a birth certificate showing Stoneham, Massachusetts, as her place of birth and listed her race as white. However, a representative for the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General stated that they do not comment on the specifics of termination cases.
Sainte-Marie has maintained that she is proud of her Indigenous-American identity, citing her mother’s influence in teaching her about her ancestry. She issued a statement following the Fifth Estate report, calling it “deeply hurtful allegations” and stating that she struggles to answer questions about her identity.
Despite the controversy surrounding her appointment, major music bodies in Canada have honored Sainte-Marie throughout her career. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame inducted her in 1995, and the Juno Awards have awarded her numerous times, including Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording and Indigenous Music Album of the Year.
The Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation has also stood by Sainte-Marie, stating that they stand by her as an ally and advocate for the Sixties Scoop Survivor constituents. However, a DNA test would be decisive in determining the truth behind these allegations.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/music/news/buffy-sainte-marie-stripped-order-of-canada-1236301460