Today’s Women in Wakefield spotlight is on singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.  The internationally known singer and Native American activist actually grew up in Wakefield (across the street from the West Ward School!)  She would go on to international acclaim and win an Academy Award for her song “Up Where We Belong.”

According to her interview in the excellent PBS documentary “Carry It On,” she explained that she grew up in Maine and Massachusetts.  (She didn’t mention Wakefield by name but she graduated from Wakefield High School (see her yearbook photo below!)

She believes she was adopted from a Cree Indian mother in Canada who had died.  Her adoptive mother had no information about her ancestry, but assured her that she would discover that when she got older.

In her bio, she said, “There was only one other Native American beside me in town, and he was the Mailman!  He had a Trading Post and did the most beautiful beadwork for the movies.  I used to ride my bike 4 miles or so around the lake to talk to him.”  (Below is a screenshot of the Trading Post sign as seen in the film.)

She graduated as Beverly Sainte-Marie and at the time aspired to be a flight attendant.  Folks remember her sitting at the Bandstand practicing with her guitar.  She went on to UMASS Amherst and later achieved great success in her career.  I was able to find one concert that she played at WHS on June 13th 1964.  I believe we tried to get her to come and perform for Midsummer Night during the 350th anniversary, but she was out of our price range!  Many, many people remember her fondly and still more are proud of her passion and artistry.

This Women in Wakefield profile is being featured as part of our celebration of the town’s women during Women’s History Month. All of the profiles will be shared on our social media pages and many will also be featured in the Wakefield Daily Item. If you are enjoying the posts, please consider joining the Historical Society; the membership fee goes directly into support for our Museum at the West Ward Schoolhouse, 39 Prospect Street.