MONTREAL- Rihanna may sing about diamonds, but a gift from an Air Canada (AC) flight attendant shone far brighter than any jewel during a recent short-haul flight.
The encounter took place aboard a regional service departing from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
Lily Kahnerahtiio Dailleboust of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community on Montreal’s (YUL) South Shore presented the award-winning artist with a handcrafted beaded lanyard.
Rihanna later shared a heartfelt video thanking her, calling the present something she would never forget.
Beaded Lanyard Made Lasting Mark
Dailleboust offered Rihanna the beads during a recent Monday flight. The lanyard was her personal keychain, purchased some time earlier from a store in her community called “Traditions,” which displays and sells work by local Indigenous artists.
In a video posted to Dailleboust’s Facebook page, Rihanna said the flight attendant had gifted her “something very special that I will never forget and I will never lose.” The singer also asked Dailleboust to introduce herself on camera and explain the gift.
Dailleboust then taught Rihanna how to say “thank you” in her language, which is “Niá:wen.” Rihanna repeated the word, and Dailleboust confirmed she had pronounced it correctly.
Rihanna had boarded a flight to Montreal aboard a Dash-8 Q400, a regional turboprop with no business class and no cabin separation.
Speaking to Global News, Dailleboust said the setting still surprised her despite her experience with high-profile passengers.
“You don’t even know how to react because it’s not my first time having a VIP, but on a small airplane from Billy Bishop, like the Dash-8 Q400, it’s just a regular aircraft,” she said.
The crew offered the singer the rear crew seats so she could travel in greater comfort and privacy. After seating her, Dailleboust introduced herself, offered water, and said she would provide anything the singer needed.
Rihanna told the flight attendant she was traveling to an A$AP Rocky concert.
Cultural Tradition Of Giving
Before beginning cabin service, Dailleboust asked Rihanna’s bodyguard for permission to present the gift. She then took out the lanyard and offered it directly to the singer.
Dailleboust explained that gift-giving holds deep meaning in her culture. When someone or something is significant, offering a present is a way to honor that connection. Rihanna was so happy with the gesture that she attached the lanyard to her purse right away.
Rihanna told Dailleboust she was the first member of the Mohawk community she had ever met. The two exchanged a few details before Dailleboust had to begin service for the flight.
Rihanna Offers Autograph and Video
Once the seatbelt sign was switched off, Rihanna offered to sign an autograph and record a video. She signed an item for Dailleboust and filmed a short clip about receiving the lanyard.
Members of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community later sent Dailleboust messages expressing pride in her for sharing their culture with the global star. Dailleboust described the moment as overwhelming, calling Rihanna a lovely and proactive activist for humanity.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
