NEW YORK –
A documentary about folk legend Buffy Sainte-Marie, made before her indigenous ancestry was questioned, has won an International Emmy Award.
“Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On,” directed by Madison Thomas and narrated by Sainte-Marie, won in the arts programs category.
The prize is awarded by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The producers describe the film as a retrospective of Sainte-Marie’s life and career, including interviews with famous friends and colleagues, never-before-seen archival footage and cinematic recreations.
The singer-songwriter’s ancestry was called into question in a CBC investigation last month, which produced multiple forms of identification that suggested she was Italian American.
Saint-Marie has denied the allegations.
Sainte-Marie’s story of her birth, childhood and identity has changed over the course of her six-decade career. She identified herself as Algonquin and Mi’kmaq before saying she was Cree, adopted by a mother in Saskatchewan.
Produced by Eagle Vision, White Pine Pictures and Paquin Entertainment, the documentary premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and is available to stream on Crave, while the CBC piece is available on YouTube.
A statement from White Pine Pictures on its website supports Sainte-Marie.
“We stand with Buffy and believe it is true that her mother told her she was adopted and is of Canadian Indigenous descent.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2023.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”