Juno Awards, Polaris Music Prize rescind Buffy Sainte-Marie's wins
The 2 organizations determined her albums were ineligible due to Sainte-Marie's lack of Canadian citizenship
Buffy Sainte-Marie's Polaris Music Prizes and Juno Awards will be rescinded because she is not Canadian, according to both organizations.
The Polaris Music Prize, a juried award annually given to a Canadian album based on artistic merit regardless of genre, sales or record label, has confirmed that Sainte-Marie's 2015 win, which she received for the album Power in the Blood, will be rescinded. The Polaris Heritage Prize, which she won in 2020 for her 1964 album, It's My Way!, will also be revoked.
"The Polaris Music Prize recognizes and celebrates artistic excellence in Canada," the organization shared in a press release. "Our eligibility criteria requires all nominees to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with proof of status provided through government-issued documentation, including passports, birth certificates, permanent resident cards, and/or secure certificates of Indian Status."
A 2023 report by CBC's The Fifth Estate raised questions about Sainte-Marie's Cree heritage, as Sainte-Marie had claimed she was likely born on Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan. However, the investigation reported that it found a birth certificate implying that Sainte-Marie was born in Massachusetts.
"We understand that not all Indigenous people have access to government-issued paperwork, and we acknowledge that this does not diminish their identity or connection to their communities and should not impact their ability to be nominated for the Polaris Music Prize," read the Polaris release.
But in response to being stripped of the Order of Canada in January 2025, Sainte-Marie shared a statement earlier this week that she is an American citizen and holds a U.S. passport, which means she does not meet Polaris Music Prize's rules and regulations.
"Sainte-Marie also added [in her statement that] she was adopted as a young adult by a Cree family in Saskatchewan and told the Canadian Press that she 'made it completely clear' she was not Canadian to Rideau Hall staff, as well as to former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau when he invited her to perform for Queen Elizabeth II in 1977," the Polaris press release continued.
'We acknowledge the impact it may have'
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the organization that runs the Juno Awards, also announced today that it will be revoking Sainte-Marie's awards, as well as her 1994 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
CARAS released a statement saying it consulted with its Indigenous music advisory committee and decided to rescind the awards based on Sainte-Marie's confirmation that she is not Canadian. Sainte-Marie was previously the winner of seven Juno Awards.
CARAS shared that the decision is "not a reflection of Ms. Sainte-Marie's artistic contributions but ensures that CARAS celebrates and honours artists who meet the criteria. While this decision aligns with longstanding criteria, we acknowledge the impact it may have."
Sainte-Marie has previously said she "lived with uncertainty" about who her parents are, according to the Canadian Press.
"It was very lovely to host the medals for awhile, but I return them with a good heart," Sainte-Marie shared, of her Order of Canada.
Power in the Blood beat out albums by Drake, Alvvays, Caribou and more when it won the Polaris Music Prize, which comes with a cash prize of $50,000. The album's songs highlight themes of decolonization and Indigenous resistance.
"I've got an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, a couple of Junos and a Gemini Award — this is the only one I ever heard that gives the artist money," Sainte-Marie said at the 2015 Polaris gala when she won. "It's real important, it's becoming almost impossible for an artist to tour with a band and with instruments."
It's My Way!, Sainte-Marie's first album, received the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize designation in 2020, an honour given to Canadian albums released before the Polaris Music Prize launched in 2006. The most recent winners of the heritage prize include Jackie Mittoo and Tegan and Sara.
