Winnipeg student choir performs O Canada in Punjabi and English at Jets game marking the first bilingual anthem in NHL history and celebrating diversity.
A Night to Remember
In a historic first for the National Hockey League (NHL), a student choir from Amber Trails School in Winnipeg performed O Canada in both Punjabi and English at a Winnipeg Jets game over the weekend. The bilingual rendition, sung by students from kindergarten to Grade 8, took place during South Asian Heritage Night at Canada Life Centre, capturing national attention and making cultural history.
Performance Goes Viral
A video of the choir’s performance quickly went viral, amassing over 4 million views and 71,000 likes on Instagram. Social media users called it “inspiring,” “inclusive,” and “a proud Canadian moment.” While most praised the effort, the post also drew criticism from a minority who questioned the need for bilingual performances.
Mixed Reactions Reflect Ongoing Debate
Supporters applauded the NHL and Jets for promoting diversity, with comments like: “Listening to our anthem sung in Punjabi is the coolest” and “They embraced inclusivity. Respect.”
However, others expressed discomfort, calling it an example of “woke culture.” One user commented: “I am of Punjabi background and can’t understand the need for this.”
Teachers and Students Lead the Way
Amber Trails music teacher Olivia Kelly guided the choir, despite having no prior experience with Punjabi. The students really helped me with my pronunciation. “Learning their language and making that effort—it unites us all a bit more.”
Ms. Kelly emphasized that the experience was educational for everyone involved and strengthened the connection between students and their cultural roots.
Language Reflects Community
According to Statistics Canada, Punjabi is now the fourth most spoken language in Canada, making the anthem performance not just symbolic, but representative of a growing demographic in the country. Winnipeg is home to a large South Asian population, including many Punjabi-speaking families.
A Cultural Milestone in Canadian Sports
The bilingual anthem marked the first time in NHL history that “O Canada” was sung in Punjabi, setting a precedent for future celebrations of Canada’s multiculturalism. As national conversations about identity and inclusion continue, this performance stands as a hopeful example of how tradition and diversity can co-exist in public spaces.
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