Democracy Now! Special: An Hour of Music and Conversation With Legendary Native-American Singer-Songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie

Today is supposed to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the so-called “new world” in 1492. But the holiday has long angered Native Americans who object to the official celebration of a man who opened the door to European colonization and the exploitation of native peoples in North America. Observance of this holiday is far from uniform across the country. South Dakota marks the occasion as “Native American Day.” Meanwhile Denver, Colorado’s annual Columbus Day parade is met by protesters decrying the genocide of indigenous peoples.

Well the award-winning folk icon Buffy Sainte-Marie has been writing and singing and speaking out about the struggles of Native American and First Nations peoples for well over four decades.

In the turbulent 1960s, she was just out of college, but already famous for her beautiful voice and moving lyrics and songs like “Universal Soldier,” “Now that the Buffalo”s Gone," and “Until its time for you to go.” She was Billboard’s Best New Artist following the release of her first record.

Buffie Sainte-Marie, Canadian First Nations singer-songwriter and activist active for over four decades.