Canada: The Story of Us·Video

'We're creating the story as we go.' Nelly Furtado on Canada

Nelly Furtado’s grandmother arrived in Canada as a widow at age 55. Eight kids. No English. But she thrived, built a home and “welcomed everybody who came through her door.”

Nelly Furtado: Defining the Canadian spirit

8 years ago
Duration 0:56
Nelly Furtado: Defining the Canadian spirit

As part of our series Canada: The Story of Us, we asked influential Canadians about their relationship to Canada, from their family histories to their thoughts about our country's future.

Canadian musician Nelly Furtado's grandmother arrived in Canada as a widow at age 55. Eight kids. No English. But she thrived, built a home and "welcomed everybody who came through her door."

"To me, she personified what Canada really is."

Canada is a young country, Furtado says, and she can't wait to see what lies ahead. "The real true Canadian stories, I think, have yet to be told."