Academy Award Winner Buffy Sainte-Marie Receives Honorary Doctorate

by Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

Buffy Sainte-Marie - Cree

BRANDON, MANITOBA - Buffy Sainte-Marie (Cree) will be bestowed with an honorary doctorate degree at Brandon University. She is one of four being recognized during the 100th Convocation by the university.

Sainte-Marie will receive a Doctor of Music (honoris causa) for her vast achievements as a singer, songwriter, activist and humanitarian.

“This talented, eclectic, internationally renowned artist and activist honors Brandon University in accepting the degree, Doctor of Music (honoris causa) at this year's Convocation,”

said Deborah Poff, Brandon University's President and Vice-Chancellor.

Buffy Sainte-Marie has appeared at countless grassroots concerts, American Indian Movement events and other activist benefits. Throughout her career, she has created 17 albums of her music, three of her own television specials, spent five years on Sesame Street, score movies, helped found “Music of Aboriginal Canada” Juno Awards Category, raised a son, earned a PhD in Fine Arts, taught Digital Music as adjunct professor at several colleges.

In 1982, Buffy Sainte-Marie won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award Oscar for the song, “Up Where We Belong.” She co-wrote the song with Will Jennings and Jack Nitzsche. The song was made famous in the film “An Officer and a Gentleman” and was performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.

Her 2008 album, “Running For the Drum,” is considered her comeback album. Her latest album, “The Pathfinder - Buried Treasures” was released in 2010. She lives in Hawaii.

posted June 3, 2011 3:48 pm et