Universal Soldier

The song "Universal Soldier" was written and performed by Buffy Sainte-Marie. It gained prominence as an anti-war anthem, particularly against the Vietnam War, and was also covered by other artists, notably Donovan. The song's theme is a pacifist message about the futility of war and the idea that soldiers are often manipulated into fighting. While Sainte-Marie has claimed Indigenous ancestry, a 2023 investigation by The Fifth Estate presented evidence questioning these claims, suggesting she was born in the U.S. to parents of European descent. This controversy has led to scrutiny of the accolades she has received, some of which were designated for Indigenous artists.1