Ep 7. Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On is the seventh episode of the 36th season of the acclaimed PBS documentary series American Masters. The episode chronicles the life and career of Buffy Sainte-Marie, an iconic singer-songwriter, activist, educator, and visual artist who has been a powerful force for social justice for more than five decades. The documentary takes viewers on a journey through Sainte-Marie's life, from her childhood on the Piapot Cree First Nation Reserve in Saskatchewan, Canada, to her rise to fame in the 1960s as a performer and activist who used her art to speak truth to power.

Through interviews with Sainte-Marie herself as well as archival footage and interviews with her friends, family, and fellow activists and artists, the episode explores the many facets of her life and career. Viewers will learn about her early years as a musician struggling to make a name for herself in the male-dominated folk music scene of the 1960s, her role as a pioneering Indigenous activist who fought for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States, her work as an educator who has taught generations of students about Indigenous culture and history, and her enduring legacy as a cultural icon whose music and activism continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists.

Along the way, the episode delves into Sainte-Marie's most memorable songs, including "Universal Soldier," "Until It's Time for You to Go," and "Carry It On," and the inspiration behind them. It also explores the many challenges she faced as a woman, a person of Indigenous descent, and an outspoken activist, from censorship and blacklisting to racism and sexism.

Ultimately, Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On is a portrait of an artist who has spent her life fighting for justice, equity, and the rights of the marginalized. Through her music, her activism, and her powerful voice, Sainte-Marie has helped to change the world and inspire countless others to do the same. The documentary is a celebration of her life and legacy that will inspire viewers to carry on her work and continue the fight for a better world.