Renowned singer and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie has addressed allegations regarding her Indigenous heritage, vehemently denying any falsehoods in a recent statement. The singer, who has long claimed to be born in Canada's Piapot First Nation, responded to an investigation conducted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) that raised doubts about her ancestral background.

In a statement released on Thursday, Sainte-Marie defended herself, stating, "I have never lied about my identity." She admitted to struggling in answering questions about her heritage but maintained that she has always been honest about her family background. She also asserted that she does not know the details of her birth parents or her true origins.

The CBC investigation, which included interviews with estranged family members, revealed a Massachusetts birth certificate indicating that Sainte-Marie was born as Beverly Jean Santamaria to Albert and Winifred Santamaria. The birth record classified her and her adoptive parents as white, contradicting Sainte-Marie's previous claims about her adoption and Indigenous ancestry.

Sainte-Marie dismissed the inconsistencies as an attack on her character, expressing her ignorance of the Massachusetts birth certificate. She suggested that birth certificates for Indigenous children were often created by Western governments after adoption or separation from their families. Despite the findings, the singer reiterated that she was adopted by a Cree family in her 20s and that her Indigenous identity is deeply rooted in her connection to the community.

Descendants of the Piapot family, known as Piapot descendants, defended Sainte-Marie in an October statement, denouncing the accusations as hurtful, ignorant, colonial, and racist. They asserted that Sainte-Marie's contributions to Indigenous and Native American causes were invaluable.

Having previously been recognized as the first Native American to win an Academy Award, Sainte-Marie emphasized her lifelong dedication to championing Indigenous and Native American causes. She declared that being Indigenous goes beyond biological lineage and is instead defined by community, culture, knowledge, relationships, and family ties.

The controversy surrounding Sainte-Marie's heritage comes on the heels of her documentary, "Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On," winning an International Emmy Award in the arts programming category. However, the Indigenous Women's Collective, an advocacy group, criticized the award choice, stating that documentaries should present factual information and the win was a "slap in the face" to Indigenous people.

As the debate over Buffy Sainte-Marie's Indigenous heritage continues, the singer remains steadfast in her assertion of identity and her commitment to advocating for Indigenous and Native American causes.