In a shocking turn of events, renowned singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, known for being a prominent figure in the Indigenous community, is facing allegations of misrepresenting her Indigenous ancestry. The allegations, which come after a recent investigation by CBC News, have raised questions about her long-standing career and legacy.

Rising to prominence during the folk revival of the 1960s, Sainte-Marie established herself as a Cree artist and used her platform to shed light on the injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples. Her songs such as "Now That the Buffalo's Gone," "My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying," and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" became anthems of resistance and garnered her numerous awards and accolades.

However, the CBC's investigation suggests that Sainte-Marie may not have Indigenous ancestry as she has claimed throughout her career. The report points to evidence that contradicts her assertions, including a birth certificate from a Stoneham hospital in Massachusetts, indicating that she was born to White parents named Alfred and Winifred Santamaria.

Sainte-Marie has refuted the allegations and expressed that the CBC report heavily relied on accounts from her brother, whom she claims sexually abused her, and estranged family members she didn't know. She also questioned the authenticity of the birth certificate, stating that it was common for such documents to be created by Western governments for adoptees.

The investigation highlights inconsistencies in Sainte-Marie's story, as early news stories characterized her as belonging to different Indigenous groups such as Algonquin, Mi'kmaq, and Cree. Furthermore, Sainte-Marie's statements regarding her knowledge of her biological parents have varied over time.

The situation is further complicated by Sainte-Marie's claim of being adopted as an adult by a couple from the Piapot First Nation. While members of her Piapot family have stood by her, some experts emphasize the distinction between having Indigenous ancestry and being accepted into a specific Indigenous community.

The controversy surrounding Sainte-Marie reflects a broader issue of individuals falsely claiming Indigenous identity, a phenomenon colloquially known as "Pretendianism." A 2022 study suggests that the number of people pretending to be Indigenous in Canada is on the rise.

In response to the allegations, the Indigenous Women's Collective has called on the Junos Awards Committee to rescind Sainte-Marie's 2018 honor for Indigenous album of the year. They argue that being adopted into an Indigenous family does not authorize anyone to speak on behalf of an entire community.

The situation raises complex questions about the concept of Indigenous identity. Some experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between self-identification and holding citizenship within a tribal nation.

As this controversy unfolds, it is hoped that institutions will thoroughly vet claims of indigeneity to prevent further instances of misrepresentation.