National Aboriginal Day
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National Aboriginal Day is a Canadian day of recognition of the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions to Canada of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis, who are collectively known as Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It was proclaimed in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada Roméo LeBlanc to be celebrated on June 21 of every year.
The day of June 21 was selected for several reasons. In 1982 the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on June 21. Slightly more than a decade later in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended that a National First Peoples Day be designated. Also in that same year a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper titled The Sacred Assembly called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canada. Lastly, June 21 coincides with the summer solstice.
The first National Aboriginal Day was celebrated on June 21 in 1996 and it has been celebrated on that day annually ever since. It is now part of a series of "Celebrate Canada" days, beginning with National Aboriginal Day and being followed by St-Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and concluding with Canada Day on July 1.
External link
- Indian and Northern Affairs' National Aboriginal Day website (http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nad/)