Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

Jully Black Subtly Changed The Lyrics To 'O Canada' & One Word Made All The Difference (VIDEO)

"THIS is what inclusivity and visibility is all about."

Jully Black singing "O Canada" at the 2023 NBA All Star game.

Jully Black singing "O Canada" at the 2023 NBA All Star game.

Senior Writer

Jully Black's performance of the Canadian national anthem at the 2023 NBA All Star game has caused a bit of a stir online, and it's all because of one word.

While singing "O Canada" ahead of the game in Utah, the Toronto musician changed up the lyrics, and people are praising the small but significant change.

Instead of singing "Our home and native land," Black instead sang "Our home on native land."

While some may wonder if the change was a blunder or unintentional, it seems Black knew exactly what she was doing and shared multiple posts to her Instagram story of those praising the change.

"She changed these lyrics ON HER own and KILLED this rendition of our Canadian anthem! THIS is what inclusivity and visibility is all about," said the caption on one of the stories she shared.

As well, she discussed the reason behind the change-up with The Shift host Kayla Grey given that she's been singing the anthem "since kindergarten."

"I reached out to some Indigenous friends to say, first of all, 'How do you feel about me doing this anthem?'" Black explained. "And I got some feedback, and so I really dissected the lyrics, to really sing it with intention.”

"Now I’m singing it in a whole other meaningful way," she shared.

Over on Twitter, many praised Black's decision.

"Today in #popculturehistory @JullyBlack sings the Canadian anthem at the #NBAAllStar and seamlessly made the lyrics more inclusive while reminding us all, we are indeed on native land," tweeted one person.


"Jully Black singing 'our home ON native land' is a Canadian Heritage Moment," tweeted another.

"Wow. Never heard the Canadian anthem sang this spectacularly. She added a whole lot of seasoning," said one person in the YouTube comments.

"Beautifully done. Loved that she changed it up a bit by saying 'Our home ON Native land' instead of 'Our home AND Native land!'" said another. "Words matter."

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

Explore this list   👀

    • Senior Writer

      Sarah Rohoman (she/her) was a Senior Writer with Narcity Media. She has worked at BuzzFeed Canada, Yahoo Canada, and CBC Radio in news, lifestyle, ecommerce, and social media. She has an MA in Journalism from Western University and a BA from McGill. She loves libraries, alpacas, and all things witchy.

    I lived in the US for years — Here are the biggest differences between Canada and the States

    They may have Trader Joe's, but we have those maple candies at duty free.

    14 of the prettiest Canadian coins you could find in your change in 2025

    These coins might be in your wallet already and you don't even know it! 👀

    Americans are 'crying' after this wholesome Canadian tourism ad went viral

    "This isn't just a tourism campaign, it's a love letter."

    Statistics Canada is hiring for census jobs that pay up to $131,000 but you need to apply soon

    Application deadlines are approaching for some 2026 census jobs.

    This Ontario gem with waterfront towns and beaches is one of Canada's 'best' spots to live

    It has "large" homes "priced much lower" than major Canadian cities.

    This enchanting small town set on a BC island was named among North America's 'most peaceful'

    Sandy beaches, ancient forests and a cozy town — anyone?. 🌲