June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day – an opportunity for education, celebration and reflection.
About National Indigenous Peoples Day (source: Government of Canada)
For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near June 21 because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
National Indigenous Peoples Day was proclaimed in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada Roméo LeBlanc based on consultations with and statements of support from 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 non-Indigenous 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.
Get involved
Visit the Treaty Education Nova Scotia Facebook page to learn about local events.
Mawikuti’k is hosting its 4th Annual Freedom Day on Friday, June 21. They welcome all to celebrate and honour the strength and resilience of Indigenous Residential School survivors. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Mi’kmaq Memorial Site in Shubenacadie.
The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is hosting an Indigenous Craft Fair at the Mic Mac Mall on June 21 in the community space by Decathlon.
Stop by the MSVU Art Gallery’s opening reception for the new exhibit Collective: Miranda Bellamy and Amanda Fauteux from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 21. One of the underlying themes of the exhibit is a reflection on settler engagement with the lands we inhabit.
Visit the Indigenous Resource Hub / L’nuey Etl-Mawo’tumk on the MSVU website for links to videos, books, podcasts and more.