Canadians claim moral superiority over Americans, but historically when it comes to dealing with issues of race, we're no better than anybody else. We have been the master of discreet and covert discrimination from almost the moment we became a country in 1867. Just look at the nearly successful campaign of cultural genocide that we carried out against Native Canadians with the Residential School system. Children were stolen away from their parents, some transported thousands of miles from home, in order to make them useful citizens.This included stripping them of their identities by changing their names, forbidding them to speak anything but English (or French if they were in Quebec), and being taught that their parent's beliefs were superstitions that was going to send them all to hell.
In spite of their best efforts, the combined efforts of the government and the Anglican and Catholic Churches weren't quite successful. Enough people held on to their nation's culture and preserved it for the lost generations. Lost because not only didn't they fit into the white world, they didn't fit into the world of their parents either. Unlike others her age, Buffy Sainte-Marie avoided Residential school, but was "adapted" by a predominantly white family (her adopted mother was part Mik'maq) in New England, miles away from her family in Saskatchewan, Canada. Her mother did tell her that there was a world of difference between what she saw in the movies and the reality of being Native American, but she could find out about that stuff when she was an adult if she wanted.
As anyone who is familiar with Buffy Sainte-Marie's music, activism, or art knows she most definitely found out the truth about the circumstances of Native Americans in contemporary society. Her latest release, Running For The Drum, not only once again confirms her talents as singer and songwriter, but reaffirms her commitment to the culture of her people. However, as the DVD documentary, Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Multimedia Life, included as a bonus, shows she's not interested in merely preserving the culture like a museum piece, but keeping it a living breathing entity that isn't afraid to be part of the modern world.
One doesn't need to look any further than the music on Running For The Drum for examples of that as she draws just as heavily upon modern musical influences as traditional native ones when writing her material. In A Multimedia Life she says that her musical influences included everything from R&B, early rock and roll, Miles Davis, to the French singer Edith Piaf, and you can hear traces of just about all of them on the new disc. Right from the first cut you know this isn't going to be the type of "Native" music they sell in New Age emporiums. There's nothing ethereal about the strident challenge of the lyrics, the dance club beat that pulses underneath it, and the sound effects that surround "No No Keshagesh".
Article comments
1 - David Rachlin/Boston, USA
I have been a fan of BSM since the 70's when I discovered her music at a Canadian neighbors' home. She has been a major influence in my life as an educator, in that I insist on using First Nations/Native American literature in my classroom, and set aside the old, crusty poems we suffered with as children. I make sure my students know that native people are not a thing of the past and use her music as an example. Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the most important gifts North America has given the world (along with corn and chocolate!), and I cherish every song she has written. This was an excellent review of Running for the Drum. It was at first hard to get used to the wide variety of styles, and I had originally hoped for the more Native sound that we got from Coincidence and Likely Stories, but every song is a true gem and deeply meaningful.Thanks!
2 - Bill R.
This doesn't seem to be available in the States. Hope Amazon et al see the error of their ways.
3 - Richard Marcus
Bill if you follow the link to Buffy's site, or to EMI Canada in my review I'm sure either one will be pleased to sell you a copy. I looked for an Amazon link, and even though they suggest an alternate search of "Running For The Drum" they don't list it yet. Good luck in getting your hands on a copy.
Richard
4 - THUNDERFIRE
HI NOW ALL THE TWO SPIRITED PEOPLE[NATIVE FOR "GAY"] COULD FINALLY HAVE THEIR FIRST DANCE SONG BY BUFFY! "WORKING FOR THE GOVERMENT" COULD BE PLAYED IN THE DANCE CLUBS-IT HAS THAT KIND OF FEEL & BEAT![ IT'S CATCHY UPBEAT BOUNCY SONG THAT MAKES U WANT TO GET UP AND DANCE!] AS USUAL I WANTED TO HEAR WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY "POLITICALLY"THRU HER SONGS AND THERE'S A COUPLE GOOD ONES HERE-STRAIGHT TO THE POINT LIKE SHE ALWAYS DOES IT-[FIRST 2 SONGS] THE QUIET ROMANTIC TYPE SONGS-THERE'S ABOUT4 HERE, THAT ARE REALLY GOOD-THE LAST SONG"THIS LOVE GOES ON AND ON"BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES BECOUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
THE DVD THAT COMES WITH IT REALLY EXPLAINS HER BACKGROUND IN DEPTH-ER LIFE/CARRER SO I'AM GLAD THAT WAS INCLUDED HERE.
I'AM GLAD WE HAVE HER IN OUR CAMP BECOUSE SHE ENCOURAGES ME BY HER EXAMPLE-TO BE PROUD TO BE NATIVE AND SHE'S A GOOD POSITIVE ROLE MODELFOR US! THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU BUFFY!I LOVE YOUR NEW CD!
5 - steve hayes
I can't find Running for the drum on sale anywhere in the UK - very frustrating!Has it actually been released here yet?
6 - Hoksila Isnala
I just got hold of my copy.... eBay UK. I especially appreciated the devastatingly beautiful "Easy Like the Snow Falls Down", dedicated to those affected by Alzheimer's disease. I lost my mother to this disease late last year, and she always shared my love of Buffy's music. Makes me wonder what might have prompted the veteran singer-songwriter to write such a song.... perhaps for some respected Native elder, now lost in its cruel grip? Thank you, Buffy, for this latest jewel of a CD!
7 - Passing by...
We are NOT known as "Native Canadians". We are First Nations or just plain old Indian (not East Indian). But "Indian" is more used in the States. Even better, like my Saskatchewan roots, Buffy is Cree.
8 - Passing by...
P.S. Buffy is an "artist" first, who just happens to be Cree.
9 - Passing by
Just doing my tri-annual check-up to see who else is using my handle. Please be gentle with it - it's been around for quite a while, in a variety of places.
10 - steve hayes
Finally got a copy of Running...well worth the wait. Buffy says she'll be back in uk later this year after well-received set at Cambridge folk fest. We don't get many chances to see her so fingers crossed!
11 - maria
I like your writing. I saw your two articles about Buffy Saint-Marie. Wonder if u ever saw her live. She was just in Australia. Fantastic, like no other. Great band too.
12 - david
i bought her coincidences and likely stories many years ago
i would possibly say it is one of the great albums of all time
each week i play it at least once