On a recent flight from Toronto to Montreal, Rihanna was taught how to say thank you in Kanien’kéha, the language of the Kanienâkehá:ka (Mohawk) people, by a flight attendant named Lily Kahnerahtiio Dailleboust from Kahnawà:ke, a Kanienâkehá:ka community near Montreal. Dailleboust presented Rihanna with a beaded lanyard from Traditions, an art shop and studio in Kahnawà:ke, which Rihanna graciously accepted. In a social media post, Rihanna expressed her appreciation for the gift and engaged with Dailleboust to learn how to say thank you in Kanien’kéha.
In the video shared by Dailleboust, Rihanna acknowledged the special gift and wore the beaded lanyard on her purse. Dailleboust, who works for Air Canada, mentioned that Rihanna immediately showed her respect for Indigenous people and was eager to learn the phrase “Niá:wen” in Kanien’kéha. Dailleboust recounted the interaction, highlighting Rihanna’s genuine interest in the language and culture.
During their conversation, Rihanna revealed to Dailleboust that she had never met a Kanienâkehá:ka person before. Dailleboust praised Rihanna for her accurate pronunciation of Kanien’kéha and shared that Rihanna offered to take photos and sign autographs while they conversed. Dailleboust also mentioned that the flight did not have a business class, and they were informed in advance about Rihanna’s presence as a VIP passenger.
Since posting the video online, Dailleboust has received positive feedback from the Kahnawà:ke community and other Haudenosaunee territories, appreciating her representation and interaction with Rihanna. Tekaronhiahkhwa Standup, the owner of Traditions where the beaded lanyard was purchased, expressed joy over the attention the video received, emphasizing Rihanna’s openness to learning and respecting their culture. Standup highlighted the significance of Rihanna’s gesture and the positive impact it had on their community.
