Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie in image. She returned her Order of Canada.
Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, whose purported Indigenous lineage has been called into question, says she has returned her Order of Canada “with a good heart” and restated that she never claimed to be Canadian.
Multiple Honors Revoked in a Single Day
Legendary musician Buffy Sainte-Marie has lost several prestigious Canadian music awards following revelations about her citizenship. On Friday, multiple organizations revoked her recognitions, including her Juno Awards, Polaris Music Prize wins, and various Hall of Fame inductions. This decision follows Sainte-Marie's recent admission that she is not a Canadian citizen but an American passport holder.
Canada’s Walk of Fame Takes Action
Canada’s Walk of Fame announced the removal of Sainte-Marie’s 1998 induction, calling it a "difficult decision." While the organization confirmed her removal, it remains unclear whether her maple leaf-shaped star outside Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre will also be taken down.
Songwriters Hall of Fame Revokes Inductions
The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame also revoked Sainte-Marie’s two inductions. She was previously honored as a songwriter and separately for her iconic war protest song, Universal Soldier. The organization cited citizenship requirements as the reason for her disqualification.
Juno Awards and Canadian Music Hall of Fame Follow Suit
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced it would revoke Sainte-Marie’s five Juno Awards and her 2017 humanitarian award. Additionally, she will no longer be a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
While recognizing her past contributions to Canadian music, CARAS emphasized its commitment to honoring Canadian artists, stating, “Our mandate is to celebrate and support Canadian talent.”
Polaris Music Prize Rescinds Wins but Allows Prize Money to Stay
The Polaris Music Prize also rescinded two awards previously given to Sainte-Marie. Her 2015 album Power in the Blood, which won the top prize along with a $50,000 cash award, is no longer recognized. However, Polaris confirmed they would not ask for the return of the prize money.
Buffy Sainte-Marie’s star on Canada’s Walk of Fame is seen in Toronto on March 3, 2025—The Canadian Press Photo.
Additionally, the organization revoked her 2020 Polaris Heritage Prize, which was awarded to her 1964 debut album It’s My Way. This honor was determined through public voting and recognized Canadian albums released before the official launch of the Polaris Prize.
Polaris explained that their decision was influenced by Sainte-Marie’s own statement, where she acknowledged her American citizenship but expressed uncertainty about her birth origins.
Governor General Awards Also Returned
Further fallout came from Rideau Hall, where a representative confirmed that Sainte-Marie voluntarily returned her Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards medallion. Her Order of Canada was already terminated in January, leading to the loss of her Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals. However, she will retain the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, which was awarded in 1977.
Questions Surrounding Vetting Processes
As these honors were stripped away, questions arose about how organizations originally determined Sainte-Marie’s eligibility. CARAS did not clarify how she initially qualified for her Juno wins in Indigenous music categories. Polaris also admitted that citizenship verification was not required at the time of her nomination.
Legacy in Question
Sainte-Marie has long been celebrated as a leading Indigenous voice in Canada. However, her identity came under scrutiny after a CBC News investigation questioned her Indigenous heritage.
Rising to fame in Toronto’s Yorkville folk scene, Sainte-Marie built a career that blended music and activism. She won an Oscar for co-writing Up Where We Belong, the theme song for An Officer and a Gentleman, and remained a strong advocate for Indigenous rights.
Despite her contributions, her recent admission has led to a rapid unraveling of her legacy in Canada’s music industry.
