Albertan Indigenous teen sings 'O Canada' in Cree at Toronto Blue Jays game

On Saturday, thirteen-year-old Kiya Bruno performed the national anthem for over 53, 000 Toronto Blue Jays fans in both Cree and English.

It was the first time ‘O Canada’ had been sung in Cree at a Blue Jays game. Bruno is from Samson Cree Nation, located just an hour outside of Edmonton.

Olivia Tookate, a sixteen-year-old from Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario, threw out the first pitch.

Bruno’s accomplishment received high praise from all Canadians.

How can’t I love my https://t.co/Pp7r8dHp0i pic.twitter.com/lBzOd0a6ge

— FJ Newman (@fj_newman) June 29, 2019

Kiya, you did an awesome job singing O Canada in Cree and English. You are a beautiful young singer.

— keizerMarg (@marg_keizer) June 29, 2019

I think Cree has a lovely poetic sound. This is just awesome. —— Indigenous teen sings O Canada in Cree at Blue Jays gamehttps://t.co/GWQUR3ewn8 pic.twitter.com/RrXuW2bW4g

— Murray Oliver (@journalist_guy) June 30, 2019

Chief Anthony Cappo of the Muscowpetung First Nation on Kiya Bruno of the Samson Cree Nation performing the national anthem in Cree for @BlueJays, a first, as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day https://t.co/eBI9hj9ch9

— Everyone's Canada (@EveryonesCanada) June 30, 2019

Congratulations Kiya Bruno for your groundbreaking performance of O Canada – in Cree – at the @BlueJays game! 13-year-old Kiya is from Samson Cree Nation in Alberta. https://t.co/7Bi4yllJdp

— Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) June 30, 2019

Happy Canada Day!