An Oscar-winning folk singer has had her honorary degree stripped from her. As reported by Page Six, this comes after her Native American ancestry has come under dispute.
Buffy Sainte-Marie previously held an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto. She got the degree in 2019, for, among other things, her social advocacy.
A spokesperson from the University explained that a confidential review process spearheaded the removal process. It was then finalized by the Law school's governing council.
In case you're not aware, Sainte-Marie is most well known for her folk music. She was a pretty big folk music star back in the 60s, and was most well known to her connection to her supposed Cree heritage, with her singing many songs from the tribe's culture.
She won an Oscar in 1983 for co-writing Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes' classics "Up Where We Belong" and "An Officer And A Gentleman". Sainte-Marie was hailed as the first Indigenous person to win an Oscar.
However, a CBC documentary, The Fifth Estate, published an exposé about her claims of Indigenous ancestry. The report found out that Sainte-Marie had a birth certificate showing she was born in Massachusetts to Italian-American parents.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Buffy Sainte-Marie Says She Is American
Buffy Sainte-Marie explained in an interview that she was an American citizen who was adopted as a young adult by a Saskatchewan Cree family. In a statement, she said, "my Cree family adopted me forever and this will never change."
She has also received some serious criticism from Indigenous people. Columbia University professor and Kahnawá:ke native Audra Simpson said that this decision was well overdue.
She said, "A just consequence for... her, who has acted on the imperatives of settler colonialism... I hope it sends a message."
This isn't the first honorary degree Sainte-Marie has had revoked. She also had a degree revoked from Dalhousie University, after a Mi'kmaw student raised questions about her true ancestry.
But, she has over 15 honorary doctorates from a variety of prestigious colleges - these include the University of British Columbia, the University of Regina, and Carleton University.
