Posted on 10/28/2023 5:01:10 PM PDT by dynachrome
However, almost 50 years after stepping onto Sesame Street, the iconic singer-songwriter’s claims to Indigenous ancestry are being contradicted by members of her own family and an extensive CBC investigation.
Late last year, CBC received a tip that Sainte-Marie is not of Cree ancestry but, in fact, has European roots. She is the latest high-profile public figure whose ancestry story has been contradicted by genealogical documentation, including her own birth certificate, historical research and personal accounts — the latest chapter in the complex and growing debate around Indigenous identity in Canada.
Indigenous scholars like Kim TallBear, a professor of Native studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and a member of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, say it’s unacceptable for non-Indigenous people to speak for Indigenous people and take honours set aside for them.
“It’s theft of opportunities, resources. It’s theft of our stories,” she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
And yes,I served...honorably: 1969-1975 (Active and Reserves).
I have relatives from Ireland who married Native American women and took them back to Ireland with them and stayed there. Early 17th century.
Perhaps her last is actually 'de Corti'. (Iron Eyes Cody was born Espera Oscar de Corti.)
Next thing you know, we will learn that Billy Jack wasn’t really part Native American either. 100% Anglo-Saxon!
Does that make her a Decree instead of a Cree?
I use the phrase “First Nations” as rightly or wrongly, it is the phrase generally utilized to refer to indigenous people in Canada.
Your comment about unconnected bands is ignorant. I suggest you do some research about how tribes and bands interacted at a regional level. If you don’t want to slog through Native American ethnography, I suggest Ambrose’s “Undaunted Courage” which discusses tribe and band connectedness, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where the Corps of Discovery wintered over at Fort Clatsop in 1805-06.
Thank you for your service.
I saw her in person singing at the Chess Mate in Detroit when her songs were most popular. Probably 1966. Never one of my favorites but I liked folk music.
Wonder how the debunkers account for her looks.
And as for the photo of her meeting Queen Elizabeth, it should be like Elwood Blues admonished Jake Blues: “You don’t lie to a nun.” Same with a Queen, I would think.
Hey she identified as such! All that counts. /sarc
That’s right. And I’m not Billy Jacking you, either.
Her vibrato is definitely an acquired taste.
Bookmark
I was a young missionary on the Saskatchewan reservation where her sister lived. We visited her family often. The sister just matter of factly referred to Buffy Sainte-Marie as her sister, and she was very proud of her. There was no discussion of birth certificates, authentic heritage or such. It was just accepted she was the sister of a full-blooded Cree Indian. As far as I know, the famous singer never visited the reservation.
Imagine. A pack of journalists who think it’s fine to change one’s sex pounce on a talented woman who’s done so much much for the world artistically. This story should have waited 20 more years.
Bites the dust...
Bites the dust...
I knew a girl in college (Italian/Swedish) that was easily mistaken for Indian. She said her HS guidance counselor called her in, needed to know her tribe to finish the scholarship applications. They were so sure that they filled them out before asking.
That’s how dumb Canada is... We actually gave her the ‘order of Canada’... Which is typically given to Canadian’s... Research folks... As a journalist asking questions of a person, you are supposed to verify the facts... This is an excellent example of how organizations like the NY Slimes, the Boston Globe and a bunch of other liberal claptrap newspapers do not do their job.
Just because somebody says ‘I’m an Indian’, doesn’t mean that they are native... Do you f’n job.
Okay. Now do Cher. Is she really part Indian?
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