‘No. 1 in our hearts’: P.A. welcomes Canada’s Got Talent winner Rebecca Strong home

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After capturing the attention of the country, Rebecca Strong got a hero’s welcome upon her return home.

A capacity crowd of around 750 people filled Prince Albert’s Exhibition Centre to enthusiastically honour Strong after her victory last week in the third season of Canada’s Got Talent; she claimed the $1 million top prize in the televised competition. Strong was born in Stony Rapids and grew up in Prince Albert.

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A reception held Monday in her honour was attended by Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne, along with chiefs and officials representing the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) and more.

Collectively they said the event was an opportunity for Saskatchewan communities to show Strong how proud they are of her.

“Honestly, I’m just so thankful for everyone for coming together like this. I just can’t believe it,” Strong said, adding “the fact that all these chairs were filled is just crazy to me, and thank you.”

Dionne said this week’s event was just the first in the community to recognize Strong and her accomplishments. He hinted that work is underway “on a legacy project” to be announced in the coming weeks, and will involve Strong and her family.

“You’re just not getting away being No. 1 in Canada. We’re also going to show you you’re No. 1 in our hearts, because you put us on the map,” Dionne said.

Rebecca’s father, Glen Strong, talked about treating children with patience and in following their dreams, telling them to “go for it.”

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Speakers at the event noted the importance and value of an Indigenous performer being honoured and recognized on the national stage provided by Canada’s Got Talent.

Rebecca’s mother, Joan Strong, called for a moment of silence for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, noting that without change, “even my daughter won’t be safe.”

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte talked about reconciliation, saying Rebecca has shown “the importance of working together. I thank her for that.”

Hardlotte said Indigenous youth have a role model and someone to look up to in Strong, which is important for many who are struggling.

“It’s a big day for all of us,” FSIN vice-chief David Pratt said.

“I really want to acknowledge our young champion here. Our children need heroes, you know that? And you are a hero to all of our kids. You inspired not only First Nations children, but even non-First Nations. Choir members are here from Prince Albert. But you fill our young people with hopes and dreams … That lets our young people know, they can stand on that stage, too.”

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Chief Coreen Sayazie of the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation spoke about the pride and excitement when Strong won Canada’s Got Talent.

Children were making cards for her. The community was buzzing, she said.

Sayazie also noted the role played by Strong’s parents. She talked of her first visit to the family’s home and seeing their music room and hearing tunes playing. The couple encouraged their daughters to be themselves, to discover and enjoy music, Sayazie said.

Strong, who was wrapped in a star blanket by the PAGC chiefs, also performed three songs: Creep, by Radiohead; Stone Cold, the Demi Lovato song she performed for her Canada’s Got Talent audition; and Never Enough, from the soundtrack of The Greatest Showman.

“Prince Albert has so much talent, it’s crazy,” Strong said in a media scrum after the event.

“Like my dad said, ‘Prince Albert is the Nashville of Canada.’ “

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