A Mohawk flight attendant, Lily Kahnerahtiio Dailleboust, taught Rihanna how to express gratitude in Kanien’kéha during a recent flight from Toronto to Montreal. Dailleboust, hailing from Kahnawà:ke, presented Rihanna with a beaded lanyard, prompting Rihanna to inquire about the language and how to say thank you in Kanien’kéha. Rihanna, in a social media post, praised the thoughtful gift, emphasizing its significance. Dailleboust, an Air Canada employee, mentioned that Rihanna promptly adorned her purse with the lanyard and conveyed her admiration for Indigenous communities.
Dailleboust shared that Rihanna acknowledged her as the first Kanien’kehá:ka person she had met and commended Rihanna for her accurate pronunciation of Kanien’kéha. During their interaction, Rihanna offered to take photos and sign autographs. Dailleboust explained that the flight on a Dash 8 Q400 aircraft had no business class, but the crew was informed in advance about Rihanna’s presence as a VIP passenger. Dailleboust highlighted the respect for passengers’ privacy and adherence to company policies.
Following the social media post, Dailleboust received an outpouring of positive feedback from Kahnawà:ke and neighboring Haudenosaunee territories, with people expressing appreciation for her representation. Tekaronhiahkhwa Standup, the proprietor of Traditions where the lanyard was purchased, lauded the exposure the store provides for Indigenous artists. The community, including Standup, was thrilled by the video’s response, with Standup describing the experience as heartwarming and praising Rihanna’s openness to learning about their culture.