Letters: How should we address Buffy Sainte-Marie’s misrepresentation?

“How do we correct all the that Sainte-Marie did, and all the negative consequences that flow from that?” asks Brian Horejs.

Published Nov 19, 2023 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 2 minute read

Singer-songerwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie receiving a star blanket from Cowessess First Nation. REGwp

So Buffy Sainte-Marie is a fraud?

She said she was Canadian; she wasn’t and isn’t. She said she was born in Canada. Nope.

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She said she was born Indigenous. Not true, either.

She said she didn’t know her birth parents — false. It took way too long to expose this, but we can and should condemn her for her pathological distortion of her life.

What about the media and Canadian organizations that fell flat on their faces when it came principles and verification and authentication? She fooled them and probably chuckled at how easy it was.

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Universities also fell all over each other to grant recognition to this “great” person and Canadian. Now what? Are they going to pull their “honorary” degrees? Don’t count on it from this bunch.

Will the Junos gang ask for their award back, or will Polaris ask for its money back?

We are no doubt going to hear more of the pathetic message “she did good for Indigenous people.” What does that say, other than that the end justifies the means?

In this case of outright prolonged and deliberate deception, we’re told by a few to “look the other way.” Some standards we set for our children.

How do we correct all that Buffy Sainte-Marie did, and all the negative consequences that flow from that?

Several people have already spoken up about coming in second in this or that award and missing the big payday.

Yet she, and those who gloried in her deceit, haven’t had the decency to at least apologize. Do you think she’ll hand back those prize and award dollars? And what about those chances that are lost to others forever, people and beliefs over which she cast a dark shadow?

This is a sad tale. What happens now is important. There has to be repercussions for this kind of deceit.

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At least in the Olympics they take away the dopers’ medals. In this case, I’m not putting my money down on that.

Brian L. Horejsi, Penticton, B.C.

Is skin colour an issue in Middle East conflict?

Although usually ideologically aligned with antisemitism, could it be that the hard-right counter-protesters opposed pro-Palestinian rally on Armistice Day in London have decided they loathe Palestinians because of race.

Could skin colour perhaps being a major issue?

Collectively, we humans are hopelessly prone to the politics of scale, especially those involving colour, nationality, race and religion.

Particularly with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, one can observe the ugly partisanship, most notably within social-media commentary. It can and does arouse a ‘spectator sport’ effect or mentality.

Many contemptible news trolls internationally decide which side they hate less — thus support — via politicized commentary post.

I anticipate that they likely enjoy watching the bloody match the most, not to mention the day’s-end death-toll score. They inhumanly perceived as such.

Frank Sterle Jr., White Rock, B.C.