Sainte-Marie, Buffy (1941–)

Cree folksinger, songwriter, and activist. Name variations: Beverly Sainte-Marie. Born Feb 20, 1941, on Cree Piapot reservation in Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada; adopted dau. of Albert C. Sainte-Marie and Winifred Kendrick Sainte-Marie (part Micmac Indian); graduate of University of Massachusetts, 1963; m. Dewain Kamaikalani Bugbee, 1967; children: (with actor Sheldon Wolfchild) Dakota Starblanket Wolfchild (b. 1977).

Orphaned in 1st months of life, was adopted by a Massachusetts couple; while in college, sang in local coffee shops; moved to NY (1963) and joined Greenwich Village's folk movement, performing in such nightclubs as the Bitter End, Gaslight Cafe, and Gerde's Folk City; released 1st album It's My Way on Vanguard Records (1964); rose to international prominence as a folk singer and songwriter and produced a number of gold records (1960s); singing reflected a range of musical styles, including contemporary folk songs, American folk standards, popular love songs, antiwar ballads, and songs celebrating her Indian heritage; also recorded songs protesting injustices, such as "My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying," "Universal Soldier," and "Now That the Buffalo's Gone"; during height of antiwar era, her outspoken views on Vietnam War and treatment of Native Americans resulted in an FBI dossier and the banning of some of her releases from radio and tv; appeared with son on "Sesame Street" (1976–81); songs have been recorded by more than 100 artists in 7 languages and performed by Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Barbra Streisand, and Tracy Chapman, among others. Won Academy Award for "Up Where We Belong," theme song for the film An Officer and a Gentleman, co-written with Jack Nitzsche.

See also Women in World History.