Métis artist defends Buffy Sainte-Marie after doubts raised over her Indigenous ancestry

The doubts raised about Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Indigenous ancestry don’t matter to one Métis Elder and artist, who says the much-loved musician’s advocacy work speaks for itself.

Val Vint admits she doesn’t know what to think about the claims Sainte-Marie wasn’t born to Indigenous parents – a debate renewed after a CBC story Friday.

But Vint says the doubts about Sainte-Marie’s ancestry are different than other so-called “pretendians” who have been questioned in the past.

“Why at 82 years old do they come after her?” asked Vint. “She’s retired. Leave her alone. She’s done so much good for all of our people, for Indigenous people overall.”

Sainte-Marie says she doesn’t know who her birth parents are and considers herself a member of the Saskatchewan Cree community. Defenders of the singer say she’s never used Indigenous heritage to get ahead.

“Often, what I see are these people go in and they get everything they can and they don’t really give anything back,” said Vint, who feels that’s not the case “at all” with Sainte-Marie.

“If she had come in and just been like, hand out, give me your ceremonies, give me your teachings and then go write a book about it – and there are people like that – I wouldn’t have respect. But she never did that. She was always including community, and that’s Indigenous.”

Vint says it’s clear the community claims her. Piapot First Nation representatives say the community accepts Sainte-Marie as one of their own, and that she was adopted through Cree customs.

“She’s a brave, strong, very courageous woman and whatever, she’s adopted by people in the community. That’s fine, and that should be enough.”

Vint says this is not the first time an Indigenous community has adopted or claimed someone. Patricia Bovey, who is Caucasian, is recognized as an honorary member of Kwakwaka’wakw Nation in B.C. Vint is wondering why the standard is different for Buffy.

Vint, 72, says she’s followed Sainte-Marie’s entire career, watching her on TV since she was a child.

“We sure didn’t have a lot of people to watch in any movies or entertainment. She was it, you know? In Canada, she was it.

“I love her work and I mean, my son grew up watching her on Sesame Street, like thousands and thousands of other kids. She represented us in such good ways.”

“Have you no respect for elders? Have you no respect for the work she’s done? Shame on you. At the very worst, she’s an ally.”

—Métis elder and artist Val Vint

Vint says she’s heartbroken over the allegations, which she believes will follow Sainte-Marie for the rest of her life.

“Trying not to bawl my eyes out… It’s just, I look at that and I know how I look. So who’s going to challenge me in 10 years?

“This is certainly going to leave a stain on her career and her reputation, absolutely. It will however not change an iota all the good she has done.”

Vint doesn’t believe Sainte-Marie had anything to gain by claiming to be Indigenous during her career.

“As an Indigenous woman in the ‘70s, are you kidding me?” said Vint. “You couldn’t get a job or housing then if you claimed who you were. And looked like her? No. She’d walk up to a place for rent and I’m sure she got turned away.”

Vint believes people need to put into perspective how many Indigenous People are still trying to access personal records, including circumstances of their birth.

“People always talk history and I laugh at them,” she said. “The last person in my family to go to residential school is my little sister, who just turned 65. So don’t tell me about ancient history, there’s nothing ancient about it.”

Vint says she remembers having lunch with Sainte-Marie in Winnipeg, and how it felt to be in the presence of another Indigenous, female artist.

“What you would expect from a decent human being. She was lovely. We had a beautiful lunch together.”

She says that memory will not change and she’ll continue regarding the singer as part of the community.