National Indigenous History Month 2025
In 1996, Governor General Roméo LeBlanc declared 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:
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
In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day
On June 21, 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day "National Indigenous Peoples Day."
Today, National Indigenous Peoples Day is part of the Celebrate Canada program, which includes other cultural summer celebrations taking place across the country.