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And the winner is… traditional dance trio Sagkeeng's Finest takes the top spot on Citytv's Canada's Got Talent

May 15, 2012

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TORONTO, May 14, 2012 /CNW/ – Three teenagers from Fort Alexander, MB,
danced their way into the hearts of Canadians across the country, as
Sagkeeng’s Finest was named the first-ever winner of Canada’s Got Talent earlier this evening on Citytv. By a clear majority, the traditional
dance trio was the country’s highest vote-getter and will take home the
grand prize of $100,000 (Cdn), a brand new Nissan GT-R, tickets for an
all-inclusive trip to the island of Tobago, a spot in Citytv’s New
Year’s Bash, a chance to perform in a Las Vegas show, and the title of
Canada’s Most Talented Act.

Members of Sagkeeng First Nation, Vincent O’Laney (17), and brothers
Brandon (18) and Dallas Courchene (17) formed Sagkeeng’s Finest when
they heard about Canada’s Got Talent.  Their journey began in Winnipeg at the casting tour in September
2011, followed by the Live Theatre Audition Tour (December 2011) and
live semifinals (April 2012). In last night’s Live Finals, Sagkeeng’s
Finest performed to a mash-up of Raghav’s “Fire” and Metro Station’s
“Shake It”, with a fusion of traditional clogging and tap. The
performance earned them the title of ‘most improved’ from judge Stephan
Moccio, and ‘biggest risk-taker’ from judge Measha Brueggergosman,
while fellow judge Martin Short said the group represents “pure joy.”

“Sagkeeng’s Finest is a uniquely-Canadian talent that struck a chord
with communities across the country. The First Nation’s traditional
dance trio are outstanding role models – not only for their community,
but for all Canadian youth,” said Ed Robinson, Executive Producer, Canada’s Got Talent, Rogers Media. “Their spirit captured the hearts of the nation, and
their story is a testament to what hard work, dedication and commitment
can achieve. We are proud to bring this unique act to a national
stage.” 

Following weeks of intense competition, the Top 12 finalists ranged in
age from 11 to 45, spanning the country from New Brunswick to British
Columbia, and specializing in everything from beatboxing to circus
performing. The Top 12 finalists were (in alphabetical order):

  • ANGRY CANDY (Five-member Rock Band), ages: 27-37, from Moncton, N.B.
  • AYGUL MEMET, 36 (Circus Performer), from Toronto, ON (b. Urumqi)
  • BROKEN DANCE (10-member Traditional Dance Group), ages: 19-25, from
    Mississauga, ON
  • EMILIO FINA, 38 (Opera Singer), from Petersburg, ON
  • FRESHH (Seven-member Dance Group), ages: 13-17, from Vancouver
  • IVAN DAIGLE, 41 (Solo Singer), from Petitcodiac, N.B.
  • JULIE LAFONTAINE, 45 (Opera Singer), from Montreal
  • KRNFX a.k.a. TERRY IM, 22 (Beatboxer), from Toronto
  • SAGKEENG’S FINEST (Three-member Traditional Dance Group), ages: 16-17,
    from Sagkeeng First Nation, Fort Alexander, MB
  • SCOTT JACKSON, 24 (Beatboxer), from Toronto
  • SHALE WAGMAN, 11 (Solo Dancer), from Toronto
  • THE EMSEE a.k.a MATHEW CATHCART, 21 (Rapper), from Hamilton, ON

For high-resolution images from tonight’s episode, please visit the Citytv media site at www.rogersmediatv.ca.

Video highlight clips from tonight’s Live Finals Results will be
available tomorrow at noon ET at http://www.rogerstvsales.ca/citytv/canadagottalent/promos/. These clips are also available via an embeddable customized video
player. To obtain the embed code, please see the media contacts below.

Canada’s Got Talent is the largest national talent search in Canadian television history and
features a colourful array of hopeful stars, including comedians,
contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists,
dancers and singers all vying for a chance to perform on national
television and win the coveted title. This original series is a tribute
to the rich talents that define and characterize Canada’s diversity.

About Citytv
Citytv™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and
Winnipeg offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented,
culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to
other conventional television stations, Citytv engages its viewers with
dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news,
local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and CityLine;
as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment
programming. Citytv is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a
division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which
is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more
information on Citytv stations and programming, visit www.Citytv.com.

Image with caption: “Sagkeeng’s Finest, the first-ever winner of Canada’s Got Talent (CNW Group/Rogers Media Inc.) (CNW Group/Rogers Media Inc., Canada’s Got Talent)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120514_C7624_PHOTO_EN_13716.jpg