The life of renowned artist Buffy Sainte-Marie, previously believed to have begun on the Piapot First Nation reserve in Saskatchewan, takes on a new dimension as her tale of adoption and heritage is revealed. Born in 1941, her infancy was marked by being taken from her biological parents and adopted by a visibly white couple, who raised her in Maine and Massachusetts. This unique journey has indelibly influenced her life and career.
In a surprising turn of events, a 2023 investigation conducted by CBC News has uncovered a different narrative about her birthplace and heritage. Contrary to prior beliefs, Buffy Sainte-Marie’s birthplace was found to be the New England Sanitarium and Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Her biological parents are identified as Albert Santamaria and Winifred Irene Santamaria, née Kendrick, an American couple from Wakefield, Massachusetts. This revelation casts new light on her family’s background, including their surname change from Santamaria to Sainte-Marie due to “anti-Italian sentiment” after World War II. Notably, despite her “visibly white” appearance, her mother, Winifred, identified as part Mi’kmaq, offering fresh insights into her heritage and personal history.
The intricacies of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s personal life include a series of significant relationships and marriages. Her marriage to Hawaiian surfing teacher Dewain Bugbee in 1968 ended in divorce in 1971. In 1975, she found love once more with Sheldon Wolfchild from Minnesota, and they welcomed a son, Dakota “Cody” Starblanket Wolfchild. These personal milestones have complemented her enduring and impactful career as a musician and activist.
A groundbreaking discovery by CBC has confirmed the true parentage of the celebrated artist. The birth certificate in question lists her parents as Albert and Winifred Santamaria, the white couple from Massachusetts whom Sainte-Marie has long claimed adopted her. This revelation gains further credibility from the fact that the certificate is signed by the same doctor who delivered Buffy’s sister, Lainey, in 1948. This discovery not only sheds new light on her family history but also reaffirms the authenticity of her adoption by the Santamaria couple.
Categories: News
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
