There might not be any Saskatchewan Roughriders on the field during the 109th Edition of the Grey Cup, but one person will represent the green and white.
Teagan Littlechief, from White Bear First Nations in southeast Saskatchewan, is set to perform the national anthem on Sunday.
“This is an opportunity that I’ve always wanted to do for many years. It’s something I’ve always dreamt of doing,” she said. “The CFL Grey Cup is a dream that I’ve always had on the shelf, and I really prayed and hoped that maybe one day I’d be able to sing.”
Littlechief has regularly performed national anthems for the Regina Pats and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but her performance on Sunday will bring something new for the reigning Saskatchewan Country Music Indigenous Artist of the Year.
She is set to sing ‘O Canada’ in English, French, and Cree.
“Being able to sing it in Cree is putting an indigenous touch on to it,” she said. “We always talk about truth and reconciliation, and that is something we are trying to do now.”
Littlechief said she does have some nerves about the performance.
“I’ve been practicing so much now that I think my son is starting to get annoyed with me,” she joked. “Having to sing the anthem in three different languages is just something new. I’m over the moon, I’m ecstatic, I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and now the opportunity presents itself, and I’m going to give it my best shot.”
She said she appreciates her fans, who have been her biggest supporters.
“So many had spoken up for me; they have praised me up enough to where the people at the CFL were able to put me forth as the anthem singer.”
