The anthem singer who carried out the Canadian anthem previous to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship recreation Thursday evening modified a lyric in “O Canada” as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about making the nation the 51st state.
Publicist Adam Gonshor in an e-mail to The Associated Press confirmed Chantal Kreviazuk modified the lyric from “in all of us command” to “that only us command” and confirmed Trump’s 51st state feedback had been the rationale why. During Canada’s 3-2 extra time victory, Kreviazuk advised the AP she did it “because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.”
“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.”
Kreviazuk, who’s from Winnipeg, Manitoba, additionally wrote the phrase “that only us command” with mascara on her left hand. She posted an image of that on her Instagram with emojis of a Canadian flag and a flexed muscle.
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“I just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I kind of froze, I would be able to look at my hand and see it,” Kreviazuk mentioned. “I’d love to see people sort of get inspired and catch the fire and say their heart more in their art. … Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art and it’s awesome. That’s what it should be about.”
The NHL declined touch upon the state of affairs.
Fans in Boston calmly booed the tune, although it was quickly drowned out by Kreviazuk’s singing. The crowd in Montreal booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” previous to U.S. match video games at Bell Centre final week, extra vociferously earlier than the crew confronted Canada.
Tensions have risen between the neighbors and longtime allies over the previous a number of weeks as Trump since being inaugurated has instructed a number of occasions that Canada develop into the 51st U.S. state, in relation to a commerce dispute, and threatened a collection of tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has mentioned that may by no means occur.
The topic of Canada turning into the 51st state was introduced up Thursday throughout a information convention with David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister.
“Sounds like President Trump is worried about the outcome of the hockey game,” McGuinty mentioned. “Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. This discussion of 51st state is a non-starter.”
Trump known as the U.S. crew previous to their morning skate Thursday to want gamers luck within the recreation. Players advised reporters in Boston it was an honor to listen to from him, with defenseman Noah Hanifin saying, “Hopefully we can get the win tonight for our country and for Trump.”
Whyno reported from Washington. Freelancer Jim Morris contributed.
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