Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adventurer]

Edmonton girl makes hockey history, singing anthem in Cree
Sat Feb 3, 11:54 PM



CALGARY (CBC) - A 13-year-old girl Albertan made history at centre ice in Calgary's Saddledome on Saturday night when she became the first person to sing O Canada in Cree at an NHL game.

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Akina Shirt, who lives in Edmonton but is originally from the Saddle Lake First Nation about 120 kilometres east of Edmonton, sang the national anthem before the Calgary Flames took on the Vancouver Canucks. Shirt said she learned the Cree version of the anthem a year ago.


"I had to work extra hard in learning the words and practising it and I eventually memorized it and it just comes natural," she told CBC News.

Edmonton girl makes hockey history, singing anthem in Cree
Sat Feb 3, 11:54 PM



CALGARY (CBC) - A 13-year-old girl Albertan made history at centre ice in Calgary's Saddledome on Saturday night when she became the first person to sing O Canada in Cree at an NHL game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Akina Shirt, who lives in Edmonton but is originally from the Saddle Lake First Nation about 120 kilometres east of Edmonton, sang the national anthem before the Calgary Flames took on the Vancouver Canucks. Shirt said she learned the Cree version of the anthem a year ago.


"I had to work extra hard in learning the words and practising it and I eventually memorized it and it just comes natural," she told CBC News.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/03022007/3/canada-edmonton-girl-makes-hockey-history-singing-anthem-cree.html

[Woland]

Very cool. Adventurer, make sure Mithridates hears about this.

[Junior]

question is, if you brought back a genuine Cree Indian from 500 years ago, would he be able to understand the words she was singing?

i doubt it. Once you've extinguished a language its impossible to ressurect in its proper form.

[Woland]

Cree has never died out. Indeed, among linguists, it us generally accepted that Cree is one of two indigenous North American languages (along with Navaho) that have the best chance to survive the next century with substantial native speaking populations intact. The isolation of their populations and mass of native speakers still extant are the basis for this.

But you know what, Junior, bring back an English speaker from 300 years ago and they would largely find us incomprehensible, too.

[ddeubel]

I also would think it is an apt anecdote reflecting just how far along forced assimilation has come. What's next Dene?

Reminds me of first hearing Le Marseillaise the first time in Arabic ........ I'm sure there are many Cree who don't "with glowing hearts, we see thee rise" - not withstanding the Christian phrasing either (first the Christian syllabics and now the anthem.....)

But I guess in this world of bitter paradoxes, it is one way to promote the use of a language. And better that it continues, however little used, than to fade into obscurity, another casualty of numbers, time and so little love.

DD

[VanIslander]

She should sing it when the San Jose Sharks visit.

The NHL's top goal scorer last season
and present Rocket Richard trophy holder
is full-blooded Cree:

Jonathan Cheechoo

Two incredible hockey hall of famers have aboriginal connections, as both Reggie Leach (61 goals as top scorer one season and Conn Smythe in the playoffs) and Bryan Trottier (Islanders great perennial all-star) were Metis.


Bryan Trottier

Also Metis are quality NHL defensemen Wade Redden, and...


Sheldon Souray

Souray is 2nd among scoring defensemen this season with 44 points so far.

[Hollywoodaction]

[Hollywoodaction]