Chantal Kreviazuk Modifies Canadian Anthem: A Symbolic Protest Against Trump’s Comments
During the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game in Boston, anthem singer Chantal Kreviazuk took a powerful stand against U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments by altering the lyrics of the Canadian anthem, “O Canada.” Kreviazuk changed the line “in all of us command” to “that only us command” as a protest against Trump’s repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st state.
Kreviazuk’s decision to modify the words of the anthem expressed her belief in democracy and Canada’s sovereignty. She believes that a sovereign nation should not have to defend itself against tyranny and fascism, referring to Trump’s statements as intolerable.
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,
Kreviazuk told The Associated Press. 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, a popular Canadian singer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, took her message a step further. She wrote the phrase “that only us command” with mascara on her left hand and shared a photo of it on her Instagram alongside Canadian flag and flexed muscle emojis. This gesture served as a visual reminder to herself and others of her stand. 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,
she explained. 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.
NHL’s Response and Fan Reaction
Contrary to expectations, the NHL declined to comment on Kreviazuk’s actions. Fan reactions were mixed. In Boston, some members of the audience lightly booed the anthem, though their jeers were soon drowned out by Kreviazuk’s vocal performance. The crowd’s reaction in Montreal was different—fans booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before U.S. games played at Bell Centre in recent weeks, their displeasure escalating when the U.S. faced off against Canada.
Tensions Between U.S. and Canada
These incidents reflect the escalating tensions between long-time allies Canada and the U.S., which have been exacerbated by Trump’s calls for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state and his threats of tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resolutely stated that such a discussion is a non-starter.
The subject of Canada’s statehood was even brought up during a news conference between Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and other officials. McGuinty dismissed Trump’s comments as Sounds like President Trump is worried about the outcome of the hockey game,
emphasizing that Canada is a sovereign nation with a prolific 150-year history and independence.
Trump’s Address to the U.S. Team
Interestingly, Trump personally called the U.S. team prior to their game to wish them luck, highlighting the political nature of their rivalry. The team expressed gratitude, with defenseman Noah Hanifin saying, Hopefully we can get the win tonight for our country and for Trump.
Conclusion
Chantal Kreviazuk’s bold action during the anthem performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game is a testament to the power of music and the courage to take a stand against tyranny. Her modified version of “O Canada” serves as a poignant reminder that sovereignty and democracy are values that should always be upheld.
What do you think about Kreviazuk’s actions? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Don’t forget to subscribe to Archynetys for more insightful stories and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest news!