Buffy Sainte-Marie rose to prominence as an activist in the 1960s and 1970s and continues to remain politically engaged.

Sainte-Marie, who is Cree from Canada, hit the campaign trail for President Barack Obama last year. "I'm a big fan of his," she told The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, "not because he's from Hawaii or he's of mixed race, but because he was a professor of constitutional law, and that made him the most qualified candidate."

Sainte-Marie, who lives in Hawaii, met Obama'a sister, Maya, who also lives in the state. "I then volunteered my time working in swing states like New Mexico, which has a large Indian and Chicano population, making sure that voter protection was enforced," said Sainte-Marie.

Sainte-Marie's latest effort, "Running for the Drum," is being released in the U.S. today.

Get the Story:
Singer's low profile belies a busy life (The Honolulu Star-Bulletin 8/11)
Review: Buffy Sainte-Marie | Running for the Drum (The Boston Phoenix 8/10)

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The Guardian: Buffy Sainte-Marie still fabulous (7/31)