Buffy Sainte-Marie

Buffy Sainte-Marie caught the attention of a changing nation with her debut album It's My Way (1964), which included the classic antiwar song Universal Soldier. She later brought her rich, memorable voice and songwriting talent to other genres, including country and rock, and won an Oscar for writing Up Where You Belong, the theme to An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). The daughter of a Cree mother, Sainte-Marie has long been active in American Indian causes, especially American Indian education. With this in mind she appeared as herself on Sesame Street from 1976 to 1981. Sainte-Marie, who earned a PhD in fine arts, is also an art teacher and internationally exhibited artist.