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National Aboriginal Day
is celebrated on June
21st. It is a statutory
holiday in the Northwest
Territories.
National Aboriginal Day
is a chance for
Canadians to celebrate
the rich contributions
Aboriginal peoples have
made to Canada.
On June 13, 1996,
Governor General Romo
LeBlanc proclaimed June
21 as National
Aboriginal Day. The
Royal Proclamation
stated that, "... 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 people of
Canada."
In co-operation with
national Aboriginal
organizations, the
Government of Canada
chose June 21st 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
fields as diverse as
agriculture and the
environment to nation
building and the arts,
with a national
celebration. National
Aboriginal Day events
are organized locally
and regionally. You can
get involved by
contacting an Aboriginal
community or
organization in your
area, calling your local
municipal office or
visiting the Department
of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development
website at
www.inac.gc.ca.
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