On National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21^st, we recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

The History

For many generations, Indigenous groups and communities, due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year, have celebrated their culture and heritage on or around June 21.

National Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly National Aboriginal Day, was announced in 1996 by Roméo LeBlanc, the Governor General of Canada, through the Proclamation Declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day. This was the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups:

• 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
• 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
• 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day
• June 21, 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day National Indigenous Peoples Day.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is part of the Celebrate Canada program, which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.

The Government of Canada provides funding opportunities for community celebratory events, as well as for commemorations on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Events in Nova Scotia

Date	Event Name	Organizer	City	Address
June 19 - 22	National Indigenous Peoples' Day at Keji	Bear River First Nation (l'sitkuk First Nation)	Caledonia	3005 Main Parkway Maitland Bridge, Caledonia
June 21	Lockeport & Area Celebrations	Town of Lockeport	Lockeport	157 Locke Street, Lockeport
June 21	National Indigenous Peoples Day	Kespu'kwitk Métis Council	Yarmouth	405 Main Street, Yarmouth
June 21	National Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration	Potlotek First Nation	Chapel Island	Richmond County
June 21	National Indigenous Treaty Peoples Day 2024	Indigenous Peoples Day	Brooklyn	48 Bristol Avenue,, Brooklyn
June 21	Queens Manor Canadian Celebration: Everyone and Everything	Queens Home For Special Care Society (Queens Manor)	Liverpool	20 Hollands Drive

For more events happening throughout Canada, go to Celebrate Canada's list of events.

Further reading

• Indigenous History in Canada
• 'We can be proud to be Indigenous': Atlantic Canadians reflect on National Indigenous Peoples Day
• Minister’s Statement on National Indigenous History Month
• 25 books that highlight beauty of Indigenous literature

ACADIA RESEARCHER LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST SERIES: INDIGENOUS RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

“The quest toward decolonization isn’t easy or simple. Academia and knowledge-gathering and sharing institutions have had to reconsider many “default” practices and standards, including long-held research methodologies and teaching techniques and focuses. A new podcast series from an Acadia University researcher aims to shed light on the topic and encourage more conversations. By exploring better ways to incorporate trauma-informed education, inclusivity and equity, and critical issues that support decolonization, we can further foster Indigenous self-determination and community-led change.” Read more on Acadia News.

Other Media by Indigenous Creators:

Music: https://www.indigenousmusic.ca/

Art: https://mcmichael.com/collection/first-nations/

Arts and Crafts: https://indigenousartscollective.org/search-iacc-artists/

Movies: https://reelcanada.ca/film-catalogue/indigenous-made-films/

Poetry: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/five-indigenous-poets-explore-loss-and-love-their-native-lands

Indigenous Research Guide:

• Indigenous news and media sources: https://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/IndigenousResearch/news

Stores/Businesses:

• 170 Indigenous Owned Business across Canada, from retail to food to legal services: https://shopfirstnations.com/
• Mugs, Tumblers, Shawls, bags, scarves, etc. They also donate to Indigenous communities from every sale: https://indigenousgifts.ca/