REGINA - Teagan Littlechief will get to perform O Canada at the upcoming Grey Cup in Regina on Nov. 20.
The Canadian Football League made the announcement on Wednesday. The recording artist from the White Bear First Nations, located on Treaty 4 land, will perform the national anthem in Cree, English and French.
Littlechief regularly sings the national anthem at Saskatchewan Roughriders' regular season home games.
“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. “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’s debut album Rising Above included the singles Once an Eagle and Bring it On. Her next release, 2013’s Home Fire, reached No. 1 on the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Charts, while 2014’s I’ll Bring the Party was No. 1 on the National Aboriginal Music Countdown. The single also garnered her a nomination for Aboriginal Artist of the Year at the 2016 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards (SCMA).
This year has seen Littlechief claim the SCMA for Indigenous Artist of the Year, and being voted Saskatchewan’s Next Big Thing by Pure Country 92.7. Despite her accolades in 2022, and her multiple performances of the national anthem for her beloved Roughriders, she said she remains in awe of the opportunity ahead.
“The Grey Cup is one of the country’s biggest sporting events each year. Performing for football fans and feeding off their energy and excitement is always amazing, but I know this will be like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I can’t wait," she said.
“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.”
Littlechief joins a musical lineup that features country all-stars Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and Canadian Josh Ross, who will unite on-stage for the Twisted Tea Grey Cup Halftime Show, as well as Canadian alternative pop band Valley, who will open the championship game’s festivities in the SiriusXM Kickoff Show.
Kickoff for the 109th Grey Cup from Mosaic Stadium in Regina is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time on Nov. 20.
The 2022 Grey Cup Festival opens on Nov. 15 in Saskatoon before moving to Regina from Nov. 16-19.
