A Mohawk flight attendant, Lily Kahnerahtiio Dailleboust, taught Rihanna how to say thank you in Mohawk during a flight from Toronto to Montreal. Dailleboust, from the Kahnawà:ke community near Montreal, presented Rihanna with a beaded lanyard, prompting Rihanna to request a video together.

In a social media post by Dailleboust, Rihanna expressed her appreciation for the gift, inquiring about Dailleboust and learning the Mohawk phrase for thank you. Rihanna acknowledged the special gift, stating, “This sweet lady gifted me with something very special that I would never forget and never lose.”

Dailleboust, an Air Canada employee, mentioned that Rihanna immediately attached the beaded lanyard to her purse and shared her admiration for Indigenous people. Dailleboust explained that she taught Rihanna the Mohawk word “Niá:wen,” which means thank you.

According to Dailleboust, Rihanna mentioned that she had never met a Mohawk person before, and her pronunciation of the Mohawk phrase was accurate. Rihanna offered to take photos and sign autographs while conversing with Dailleboust.

Dailleboust noted that the flight from the downtown Toronto Islands airport to Montreal lacked a business class section, operating with a single cabin layout. She revealed that they were informed in advance about Rihanna being a VIP passenger on the flight.

Dailleboust emphasized that the crew respects passengers’ privacy and doesn’t initiate unnecessary interactions. Since sharing the video on social media, Dailleboust has received positive feedback from the Kahnawà:ke community and other Haudenosaunee territories.

Standup, the owner of Traditions where the lanyard was purchased, expressed delight at the attention the video garnered. She highlighted the significance of showcasing Indigenous artists’ work at her store and the positive impact of Rihanna’s openness to learning Mohawk phrases. Standup described the viral video as a rewarding experience for the community and praised Rihanna’s respectful attitude.