Trilingual ‘O Canada’ to be sung at Blue Jays game

globalnews.ca:

TORONTO – Sgt. Chantal Larocque hopes that singing “O Canada” in English, French and Algonquin at Rogers Centre before a Toronto Blue Jays game will open everyone’s eyes to the possibilities of creating a more inclusive game experience.Larocque, who is an officer with the Anishinabek Police Service, sang the national anthem on Saturday as part of the Major League Baseball team’s ceremony for National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

She said that including Indigenous languages in the national anthem more frequently would help Canadians work toward reconciliation year-round, not just once per year.“It’s what we do the remaining 364 days in the year where we can break down the barriers, the stereotypes, the misinformation that we’ve received over the years in the education system,” said Larocque. “Maybe it will open the door to all sporting venues to have performances of ‘O Canada’ with Indigenous language.“The more we expose people to it, I think the more we’re headed toward reconciliation.”A moment of reflection was part of the ceremony, followed by Larocque’s rendition of the national anthem.Chief Jamie Wolfe of Muskowekwan First Nation, Chief Lloyd Buffalo of Day Star First Nation, Chief LeeAnn Kehler of Kawacatoose First Nation, and Chief Byron Bitternose of George Gordon First Nation were scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.