Polaris Music Prize Rescinds Buffy Sainte-Marie's Two Awards

In a first for the prestigious award, the Polaris Music Prize is rescinding Buffy Sainte-Marie's wins.

The singer-songwriter won the prize — which is awarded annually to one Canadian album based on merit — in 2015 for Power In The Blood. She was also awarded a Polaris Heritage Prize, which honours albums released before the Prize's founding in 2006, in 2020 for her debut solo album It's My Way!

Now, those two awards will no longer be hers. Sainte-Marie has faced criticism and scrutiny following a 2023 CBC investigation that cast serious doubt on her claims of Indigenous identity.

In January of this year, Sainte-Marie's Order of Canada was terminated. On March 4, The Canadian Press reported Sainte-Marie issued a statement about the termination, saying that she returned the Order "with a good heart" and affirming that she is a U.S. citizen. "My Cree family adopted me forever and this will never change," she added.

This statement prompted the Polaris Music Prize (PMP) to announce today, March 7, the rescinding of Sainte-Marie's awards.

"Based on Sainte-Marie’s statement, Buffy does not meet Polaris Music Prize’s rules and regulations.Given Buffy’s statement regarding her citizenship, Polaris Music Prize will be rescinding all awards including her 2015 Polaris Music Prize and 2020 Heritage Prize," the Prize states.

The PMP statement also acknowledges that not all Indigenous artists have access to government-issued paperwork, with the Prize asserting that this should not impact eligibility for the award.

The Prize's eligibility criteria requires that nominees "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."

The Polaris Prize comes with a $50,000 winner's fee, making it one of the most lucrative music awards in the country. It is voted on by a jury of roughly 200 music critics and experts, with the goal of selecting the best Canadian album of the year based on merit, not sales or commercial performance.

The news of the Order of Canada termination prompted both Polaris and the Juno Awards to issue statements on Sainte-Marie's awards in February.

Today (March 7), CARAS, the body that administers the Junos, has also made the decision to revoke Sainte-Marie's awards and her induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Find the Polaris Music Prize's full statement on the rescinding of the award below.

Polaris Music Prize Statement - Buffy Sainte-Marie, Eligibility And Citizenship

Buffy Sainte-Marie won the 2015 Polaris Music Prize for the album Power In The Blood; this win came with a $50,000 cash prize. The criteria for this award was strictly based on artistic merit, without regard for commercial factors such as sales or popularity. It was solely based on the strength of the music.

Additionally, Sainte-Marie’s 1964 album It’s My Way received Polaris Heritage Prize designation in 2020 by the Polaris Heritage jury. This legacy honour was also based on the album’s artistic merit, without regard for commercial factors such as sales or radio play.

The Polaris Music Prize recognizes and celebrates artistic excellence in Canada. 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.

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.

Buffy Sainte-Marie released an updated statement confirming she is an American citizen and holds a U.S. passport. Sainte-Marie also added 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.

Based on Sainte-Marie’s statement, Buffy does not meet Polaris Music Prize’s rules and regulations.Given Buffy’s statement regarding her citizenship, Polaris Music Prize will be rescinding all awards including her 2015 Polaris Music Prize and 2020 Heritage Prize.

Polaris is dedicated to celebrating the art of music based on artistic merit. Through our awards and programs we inspire music fans in Canada and across the world to champion important Canadian music. We look forward to continuing our mission in 2025 where we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary.

Disclosure: the author of this story is a member of the Polaris Music Prize jury.