Jully Black had always been proud of her Canadian roots, but she had always felt something was missing when she sang the country’s national anthem, O Canada. As an R&B singer, she was accustomed to infusing meaning and emotion into her lyrics, and she felt that the anthem could benefit from a similar touch.
It wasn’t until she was asked to perform at the NBA All-Star Game earlier this year that Jully realized she had the opportunity to make a difference. As she prepared for her performance, she decided to make a small but meaningful change to the anthem’s lyrics.
Instead of singing “O Canada” from “our home and native land” to “our home on native land.” It was a small tweak, but it made a significant impact. The change acknowledged the contributions of women and other underrepresented groups in Canadian society and reflected the country’s values of inclusivity and equality.
Jully’s performance was met with thunderous applause, and her one-word change quickly became the talk of the town. It wasn’t long before the Assembly of First Nations took notice.
The Assembly of First Nations represents Indigenous peoples in Canada, and they were thrilled by Jully’s change to the anthem. They saw it as a sign of respect and recognition for Indigenous peoples, who have often been marginalized and excluded from Canadian society.
Recognizing her contribution, the Assembly of First Nations honoured Jully with a special award. They invited her to a ceremony at their headquarters in Ottawa, where they presented her with a plaque and a ceremonial drum.
The gesture deeply moved Jully, and she spoke passionately about recognizing and celebrating diversity in Canada. She emphasized the need for all Canadians to work together to build a more inclusive and equitable society, and she pledged to continue using her platform to promote these values.
As Jully left the ceremony, she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had made a small but meaningful change to the national anthem and was recognized and celebrated for her contribution. But more than that, she sparked a conversation about the importance of inclusivity and equality in Canadian society and inspired others to join the cause.
