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“The Pretendians”
Presented by Catherine Francis

On October 27, 2023, CBC's Fifth Estate aired an episode calling into question Buffy Sainte-Marie's claims to indigenous ancestry.  The evidence presented was extremely compelling, ranging from Buffy's original birth certificate showing that she was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts to parents of European (Italian and English) ancestry, to a handwritten letter from Sainte-Marie to her brother threatening him with allegations of sexual abuse if he persisted in writing letters to the press disclosing her ancestry.

Buffy Sainte-Marie is the latest in a string of so-called "pretendians" - prominent academics, artists etc. who claim indigenous ancestry but who are not indigenous, or who do not appear to have any indigenous ancestry.  Other Canadians in recent years include:

  *   Author Joseph Boyden
  *   Former Saskatchewan judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond
  *   Filmmaker Michelle Latimer
  *   Academic Carrie Bourassa

In Buffy's case, the evidence not only calls into question her indigenous ancestry, but also her claim to Canadian roots (historically she claimed to have been born on a reserve in Saskatchewan and adopted by a "white" American couple).

Based on these claims, she has won countless awards and honours which were intended for or linked to her Canadian indigenous heritage, including several Juno awards, many for best indigenous artist, and the Order of Canada.

The revelations are troubling and raise important questions.  The indigenous communities in Canada are divided, but based on anecdotal accounts, the general consensus appears to be a sense of anger and betrayal.

In order that we have an informed discussion, it will be helpful to watch the episode and read the accompanying article.  Given the severe repercussions to the CBC if they got it wrong, it is reasonable to assume that this went through a serious fact-checking process before the CBC went public.

The following are some discussion questions:

1.       How do you feel about the revelations?  Should the CBC have left Buffy well enough alone or does the public have a right to know?
2.       What is the significance of having indigenous ancestry?  Why would people pretend to be indigenous if they aren't?
3.       Should people be allowed to choose their identity?  If not, who decides and on what criteria?
4.       By all accounts, Buffy Sainte-Marie has done an enormous amount of good advocating for indigenous rights. Does this make a difference in how you feel about the situation?
5.       What about her appearances on Sesame Street as a Cree woman?  Does this make the situation worse?
6.       How do you feel generally about "cultural appropriation"?   Is assuming an identity worse than, for example, borrowing fashion, hair styles, artistic styles etc. from another culture?
7.       How do these revelations impact the credibility of Buffy's other claims, for example her claim to be a survivor of sex abuse at the hands of her brother and other unnamed relatives?
8.       What would you have done if someone you knew built a career on a false identity?  Would you have kept quiet?
9.       Should heritage be determined by "blood quantum" (DNA tests)?
10.     Should Pretendians be stripped of awards or honorary degrees which were bestowed on the basis of a false identity?

  *   Watch the full documentary, "Making an Icon," from The Fifth Estate on YouTube or stream it on CBC Gem

** Article: “Who is the Real Buffy Sainte-Marie?” by CBC News