Background

June 21st is National Aboriginal Day, a day for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and their contributions to Canada.

Even before the Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21st as National Aboriginal Day, there was a long-standing desire to set aside a national day to recognize and celebrate Aboriginal peoples and cultures.

Here is a brief history of the origins of National Aboriginal Day:

1982

National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) calls for the creation of June 21st as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.

1995

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommends the designation of a National First Peoples Day.

The Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper, calls for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples.

1996

June 13 – Former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc declares June 21st as National Aboriginal Day after consultations with various Aboriginal groups.

June 21 – National Aboriginal Day is first celebrated with events from coast to coast to coast.

2006

Canadians from all walks of life participated in the many events that took place from coast to coast to coast highlighting the 10th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day.

Today National Aboriginal Day is part of the annual nationwide Celebrate Canada! festivities held from June 21st to July 1st. They begin with National Aboriginal Day, are followed by Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day. June 21st was chosen because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice (first day of summer and longest day of the year) and because many Aboriginal groups mark this day as a time to celebrate their heritage. Setting aside a day for Aboriginal peoples is part of the wider recognition of Aboriginal peoples' important place within the fabric of Canada and their ongoing contributions as First Peoples.

National Aboriginal Day events are held in every region across the country. For a detailed list of activities, or to get involved in organizing festivities in your area, visit our events page or contact an Aboriginal community or organization near you, or your regional Indian and Northern Affairs Canada office.