yeah particularly given the folk scene at the time, it seems like a pretty calculated move to set herself apart while trying to break into the scene. As up until that point she had never claimed any sort of aboriginal heritage…..she also window dressed a number of different tribes she came from, until learning of the Cree in Canada, and “the big scoop” leaning into that as a rationale for why no information could be discovered about her true parentage, no birth certificate, etc.
If it wasn’t done for financial reasons, (as has seemingly been the case for the majority of other pretendians like Boyden) it was a real stroke of luck she began co-opting it as a part of her image at the exact moment it was most beneficial to her career.
…..even taking into account that she “might” have taken the place of another aboriginal artist (extremely unlikely imo, given her talents as mbow said) or how vile her actions were to her brother (although we don’t know for certain that he didn’t molest her, but it’s unfortunate the first time it’s ever brought up is after he tries to expose the reality of her up bringing, casting real doubt on the claim)…….I still think it’s a shame this all came to light, as it probably hurts aboriginals all across North American more than it helps any of them to learn of this. I’d have buried this story personally, just because she did use that influence so positively & seemingly quite earnestly.
