Celebrating Aboriginal Peoples

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Share in the CELEBRATION!

JUNE 21 is National Aboriginal Day, a time for all Canadians to recognize the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Aboriginal peoples are the descendants of the original inhabitants of Canada. The Canadian Constitution recognizes three groups of Aboriginal peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

National Aboriginal Day is a chance for Canadians to celebrate the rich contributions Aboriginal peoples have made to Canada. In co-operation with national Aboriginal organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21 for National Aboriginal Day because it is also the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For generations, many Aboriginal peoples have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day. Today, Canada is proud to recognize the unique achievements of Aboriginal peoples - in fi elds as diverse as agriculture and the environment to nationbuilding and the arts - with a national day of celebration.

National Aboriginal Day is for all Canadians - so share in the celebration!

A Proclamation

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come or whom the same may in anyway concern,

GREETING:

WHEREAS the Constitution of Canada recognizes the existing rights of the Aboriginal people of Canada:

WHEREAS in the Constitution of Canada "Aboriginal peoples of Canada" include the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada;

WHEREAS the Aboriginal peoples of Canada have made and continue to make valuable contributions to Canadian society and it is considered appropriate that there be, in each year, a day to mark and celebrate these contributions and to recognize the different cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada;

AND WHEREAS many Aboriginal peoples celebrate the summer solstice, which has an important symbolism within their cultures;

THEREFORE, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, hereby directs that a proclamation do issue declaring June 21 of each year as "National Aboriginal Day".

OF ALL OF WHICH Our Loving Subjects and all others whom these Presents may concern are hereby required to take notice and to govern themselves accordingly.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS: Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Roméo A. LeBlanc, a Member of Our Privy Council for Canada, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this thirteenth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six and in the forty-fifth year of Our Reign.

Celebrating Inuit

Inuit are the Aboriginal people of Arctic Canada and they mainly live in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and northern parts of Labrador and Quebec. Inuit means The People in Inuktitut - the Inuit language - and is the term by which Inuit refer to themselves.

"National Aboriginal Day is the perfect date to gather, feast, celebrate the season and participate in life. It's the longest day of the year, live it up! The recognition of this day means that throughout June 21 my thoughts can be with thousands of others who also remember that it is Aboriginal Day!"

Katherine Gofton, Pangnirtung, Nunavut

"Aboriginal people have in common the celebration of life through music and dance. National Aboriginal Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate together the pride of who we are as Inuit and Aboriginal people with the rest of Canada."

Sylvia Cloutier, Kuujjuaq (Nunavik), Quebec

"As an Inuk, June 21 is a very signifi cant annual event for me. The contribution to the continuous development of Canada by Aboriginal peoples - and particularly by the Inuit, in their respective home territories, regions and communities - is recognized through the designation of June 21 as National Aboriginal Day."

Simeonie Kunnuk, Igloolik, Nunavut

Celebrating Métis

The Métis are one of the three peoples recognized as Aboriginal in the Canadian Constitution. Métis persons are of mixed First Nations and European ancestry who identify themselves as Métis and are recognized by the Métis community.

"National Aboriginal Day means showing off our proud culture and heritage to all people in Canada, to help them understand that indeed we are one nation, a people, a culture."

Pauline Huppie, Bonnyville, Alberta

"In my view, the importance of National Aboriginal Day can be summarized in two words: cultural awareness. Every year on June 21, Aboriginal peoples have the opportunity to share and rejoice in their achievements not only with one another, but also with every segment of Canadian society. In essence, this is the most successful means of breaking down barriers and fostering cross-cultural respect and appreciation."

Jeannine Ritchot, Marquette, Manitoba

"National Aboriginal Day is a celebration - a celebration of our past and our present, but also the future. It reminds us to respect the wisdom and teachings of our Elders, encourage our young people and, most importantly, to never forget who we are and where our grass roots came from."

Lute Calder, Fort Frances, Ontario

Celebrating First Nations

First Nations is a collective term used to describe the Aboriginal peoples once referred to as "Indian." They are one of three peoples recognized as Aboriginal in the Constitution Act, 1982. First Nations people is used to describe both Status and Non-Status Indians. Status Indians are people who are entitled to have their names included on the Indian Register, an official list maintained by the federal government. Non-Status Indians are people who consider themselves to be First Nations people, but who are not registered.

"On National Aboriginal Day, I remember the strength, fortitude and endurance of my Mi'kmaq ancestors that have sustained me and brought me to this day. On this day, I think about our colourful history and our unique culture, and I join with others to celebrate the contributions of all Aboriginal people that help to make Canada a great country."

Marie Ross, Millbrook First Nation, Truro, Nova Scotia

"National Aboriginal Day is a day to remember our past leaders, their hard work, and their legacy for selfdetermination left to us to carry on. It also represents the work that we are doing today, especially the integration of our cultural practices with present-day issues and maintaining our relationships with other Canadians. Lastly, it represents our vision of our Nations for the future, to set a path for the benefi t of our future generations as our forefathers did for us."

Harry Nice Jr., Gitwinksihlkw Nisga'a Village Government, Gitwinksihlkw, British Columbia

"We all carry within us the knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors, and we use and celebrate these gifts in many ways throughout our lives. National Aboriginal Day is an occasion when we bring together many to share this precious heritage with others. In this way we recognize and honour our predecessors."

Hermel Bégin, Piekuagami, Québec

A Brief History of National Aboriginal Day

• In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) launched a national campaign to have June 21 recognized as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.
• In 1990, the Quebec legislature recognized June 21 as a day to celebrate Aboriginal culture.
• In 1995, participants of the Sacred Assembly in Hull, Quebec - a national meeting of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people - also called for a national day to recognize the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canada.
• On June 13, 1996, former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc offi cially declared June 21 National Aboriginal Day.
• National Aboriginal Day is now part of the Celebrate Canada! celebrations, which also include Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and Canada Day (July 1).

How to Get Involved

National Aboriginal Day events are organized locally and regionally. Planning committees usually include both Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal people, and many of the events are supported by a wide range of organizations. You can get involved by contacting an Aboriginal community or organization in your area, calling your local municipal offi ce or writing to your Member of Parliament.

For more information about National Aboriginal Day, visit the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada website: www.ainc-inac.gc.ca