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It was such an honor to be asked to perform the Canadian National Anthem in Cree and English at the @edmontonoilers September 30th game in honor of Truth and Reconciliation Day. This moment meant so much more to me than just a performance. It was a privilege to sing in my Cree language for all the children we lost in residential schools and for the survivors who carry those scars. I sang in Cree for them, in honor of the language they were forbidden to speak. Residential schools took away the right of Indigenous children to speak their languages, and because of that, many of our people have lost their connection to their language. I am grateful that my Kokum, along with her brothers and sisters, still speaks Cree fluently,preserving it through generations despite the efforts to erase it.
As the granddaughter of residential school survivors, I honor our Indigenous people and ancestors for the sacrifices that allow us to be here today. As an Indigenous person, I believe it’s crucial to share our language and culture with non-Indigenous people, to educate them on the history and truth of residential schools. I encourage non-Indigenous peoples to continue supporting Indigenous communities, learning the history, and standing with us in solidarity.🧡 #truthandreconciliation #orangeshirtday #edmontonoilers
