June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day

WHAT IS NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY?

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.

Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

WHAT LED TO THE CREATION OF NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY?

National Aboriginal Day (now National Indigenous Peoples Day) was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through the Proclamation Declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day. This was the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups:

• in 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day

• in 1995, the Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Indigenous and nonIndigenous people chaired by Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples

• also in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day

On June 21, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day National Indigenous Peoples Day.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORT NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY?

The Government of Canada supports National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is part of the Celebrate Canada program, which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and Canada Day (July 1).

The Canadian Press Alec Dan of the Musqueam Nation takes part in a joint press conference between the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Four Host First Nations, and the cities of Vancouver and Whistler where the “hosting concept” for the 2030 Winter Olympics bid was unveiled in Whistler, B.C., on Tuesday. It’s a first in the history of the Modern Olympics.