Singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie has been stripped of her Order of Canada appointment, marking a dramatic turn in the decorated artist's career. The termination was made official through an order signed by Governor General Mary Simon in early January 2024.
The removal of Canada's second-highest civilian honor comes in the wake of controversy surrounding Sainte-Marie's claims of Indigenous ancestry. A 2023 CBC investigation uncovered documents, including birth and marriage certificates, that listed both Sainte-Marie and her parents as white. The investigation revealed she was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, contrary to previous claims about her origins.
Following the CBC report, Sainte-Marie removed references to Cree ancestry from her official website biography. When responding to the investigation, she defended herself, stating "Being an 'Indian' has little to do with sperm tracking and colonial record keeping," and maintained she had "never lied about my identity."
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, following standard protocol, declined to comment on specific details of the termination. The decision was reached through recommendations made by an advisory council that oversees both appointments and terminations of the Order.
Sainte-Marie, 82, had received numerous accolades throughout her career, including Juno Awards and the Polaris Music Prize. She was initially appointed to the Order of Canada over two decades ago, recognizing her contributions to music and Indigenous advocacy.
The termination marks only the ninth time in over 50 years that the Order of Canada has been revoked from a recipient. The decision has sparked widespread discussion within cultural and Indigenous communities about identity, representation, and the verification of heritage claims.