Teagan Littlechief will sing O Canada ahead of the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday, Nov. 20 in Regina. She will perform the national anthem in Cree, English, and French.
“I’m so thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to showcase Indigenous language and culture at the Grey Cup in my home province,” said Littlechief in a statement.
“As we continue to build a better country through reconciliation, inclusivity and representation, this is a step in the right direction and it’s a message to all Canadians that we are stronger when we stand together. And how better to send such an important message than through the gift and joy of music.”
Littlechief is a recording artist from White Bear First Nations, which is located north of Carlyle, Sask. Her music has reached No. 1 on the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Charts and No. 1 on the National Aboriginal Music Countdown. Her 2014 single “I’ll Bring the Party” received a nomination for Aboriginal Artist of the Year at the 2016 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards (SCMA).
The vocalist was recently named the SCMA Indigenous Artist of the Year and was voted Pure Country 92.7 Saskatchewan’s ‘Next Big Thing.’
“Teagan wows Rider Nation with her rendition of ‘O Canada’ on a regular basis and we are thrilled that the whole country will be able to experience her incredible talent,” said Saskatchewan Roughriders’ president and CEO Craig Reynolds.
“As we work together towards truth and reconciliation, hearing our national anthem in Cree on a stage as big as the 109th Grey Cup will be a truly special moment for all of us.”
Tickets to the game at Mosaic Stadium officially sold out in September. The halftime show will feature Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Davis, and Canadian country musician Josh Ross of the Florida Georgia Line.
This year’s Grey Cup will feature the Montreal Alouettes or Toronto Argonauts out of the East Division and the B.C. Lions or Winnipeg Blue Bombers out of the West Division. This marks the first time Saskatchewan is hosting the Grey Cup since 2013.
