National anthem to be sung in Cree

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Saddle Lake's Akina Shirt has a big gig coming up. She's singing "O Canada" in Cree in front of the entire country.

The 12-year-old honours student says she's excited "but a little nervous" to deliver her powerful rendition of the anthem on Hockey Night in Canada on Feb. 3. Her song will kick off the game between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks.

"I've sung this song lots of times," a confident Shirt told Sweetgrass in a telephone interview while taking a break from teaching herself to play the guitar. "I've sung it at some other shows, and I practice singing it on my own, in my room, quite a bit."

Last summer, the Calgary Flames owner caught wind of the young performer's talent and after management was sent a demo CD, Shirt was asked if she would sing the anthem at a Flames hockey game. She jumped at the chance and a date was set.

According to Shirt's parents, Jean Cardinal and Dale Shirt, their daughter's performance marks the first time the anthem has been sung in another language other than English or French in NHL history. Sweetgrass was unable to verify this with the NHL at press time.

Later this year, Shirt will also sing the song at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards set for Edmonton in March, and has also been approached by the Speaker of the House for the Alberta Legislature to open one of its sittings.

This kind of early exposure will help to prepare Shirt for attaining her goal of studying music at New York's famed Juilliard School.

Says mom Jean Cardinal, "Her goal is do-able. She's a hard worker and does really well in school." Presently, Shirt attends Edmonton's Victoria School for the Performing Arts where she sings in the choir. She also sings in the Sacred Heart Church Choir and two other city choirs.

"What I really want to do, eventually, is sing country. That's why I'm learning to play the guitar," Shirt said.

The singer, who turns 13 this month, has also shown tenacity in the many hours she must practice as a competitive swimmer, and has also enrolled in the Edmonton Thunder Track and Field Club.

"I want to start Tae Kwan Do, too. It's a really good workout and I think (the discipline) will help me with my singing career.

Shirt acknowledges the role her parents have played in helping her to get where she is today and for "pushing me and encouraging me to be the best I can be."

When Shirt isn't involved in academics, sports or singing, she's likely to be found reading or drawing, or "just hanging out with my friends."

Shirt has a website, www.akinashirt.com, and invites readers to visit it if they'd like to know a bit more about her.