Rebecca Strong was the first Indigenous performer to win the largest cash prize in Canadian television history.
REGINA, Sask.—At the beginning of summer, an Indigenous young woman received the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history. Rebecca Strong won this prize as she was also the first First Nations woman to be crowned winner of the amateur performance show, "Canada's Got Talent."
The Indigenous singer living in Prince Albert, Sask., took home the competition's first $1 million prize at the end of the show's third season. She was voted on by viewers all across Canada.
Strong says the prize will help push her career to the next level, allow for musical growth and opportunities such as touring and recording new music.
Strong, only 20 years old, has been performing since she was a child. She lives with her parents and notes that her mother is her strongest encourager, and her father gives her the most accurate feedback. She credits her parents for raising confident women.
"I've dreamed about a moment, about this, my entire life," Strong said in a Zoom call with CBC Radio's "The Morning Edition".
"It was very overwhelming, but amazing. I just couldn't stop crying. I was very overwhelmed with a lot of emotions and just thankful to everyone," said Strong.
She hopes this win will pave the way for many young Indigenous performers out there, and also for adults who didn't get to pursue their dreams.
"I opened a new door for everyone and I hope that they can follow in my footsteps and share their talents with everyone."
