Can we Reconcile the Lies?

As a way to reconcile the lies clearly proven to me in a recent Fifth Estate program, Investigating Buffy Saint-Marie’s Claims to Indigenous Ancestry, I planned to do the math on her awards. I hoped that putting that money against how much she’d gained vs her philanthropic endeavours might soften my anger. The list of awards for her music and service is long, and almost entirely in indigenous categories. With many awards, comes not only the accolades that propel a creative career, but money.

How Large is This theft?

“It’s theft of opportunities, resources. It’s theft of our stories,” says Indigenous scholar, Kim TallBear, a professor of Native studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and a member of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. (from Fifth Estate)

On Buffy’s own website, (or should we call her Beverley now?) under her page on philanthropy, the first sentence reads, “Buffy Sainte-Marie virtually invented the role of Native American international activist pop star.” Seems she’s giving Grey Owl a run for his money on the Pretendian front.

I have been more a fan of her activism than her music. Yes, she’s written some wonderful songs, don’t get me wrong. But her music stood out early in her career because she positioned herself uniquely as a ‘little Indian girl’ (her words from the 60’s) and she bullied her own family into staying quiet about it.

She may have started the Nihewan Foundation, where her site says she has operated and invested her own singing money since 1968. I suspect donations keep it alive because she may have started and promoted this charitable organization, but I doubt she’s footed the bill for over 55 years. (https://nihewancanada.ca)

How Large is This theft?

“It’s theft of opportunities, resources. It’s theft of our stories,” says Indigenous scholar, Kim TallBear, a professor of Native studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and a member of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. (from Fifth Estate)

On Buffy’s own website, (or should we call her Beverley now?) under her page on philanthropy, the first sentence reads, “Buffy Sainte-Marie virtually invented the role of Native American international activist pop star.” Seems she’s giving Grey Owl a run for his money on the Pretendian front.

I have been more a fan of her activism than her music. Yes, she’s written some wonderful songs, don’t get me wrong. But her music stood out early in her career because she positioned herself uniquely as a ‘little Indian girl’ (her words from the 60’s) and she bullied her own family into staying quiet about it.

She may have started the Nihewan Foundation, where her site says she has operated and invested her own singing money since 1968. I suspect donations keep it alive because she may have started and promoted this charitable organization, but I doubt she’s footed the bill for over 55 years. (https://nihewancanada.ca)

Love Culture. Don’t Rob it.

I completely get how a person can fall in love with indigenous culture. When I sought to understand my own roots, I felt a deep connection to Celtic folklore, art and their history since their arrival to the British isles. Although the Celtic tribes throughout Europe were known to be feared warriors, they were as vast as the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Both developed rich spiritual and cultural traditions, connecting them to a collective past, present and future, focused on their love, respect and place in the natural world. Like native peoples of the Americas, traditions were taught through generations by storytellers, traditional healers, group leaders and elders, male and female on equal footing, through music, dance, and elaborate ceremonies.

The Celts were grand storytellers, just maybe not as grand as Beverley Santamaria. It’s one thing to fall in love with, and feel a deep connection as she has. It’s another to falsely claim it as your own and take opportunities meant for others.

I am one of many hurt and angry Canadians. I feel deeply for indigenous peoples, especially those of the Piapot First Nations and Sixties Scoop Survivors.

Easy for me…

Turns out, doing the math won’t help me sort out my feelings. Figuring out what to do with this painting might. I know the Piapot have accepted her, but for me much of the shared Celtic symbolism, and the Piapot Flag seems inappropriate since Buffy wasn’t actually born in Saskatchewan or to Piapot First Nations parents.

I’m open to ideas!