Today is National Aboriginal Day! On this day we celebrate the distinct cultures and histories of our aboriginal peoples, as well as the valuable contributions they have made to Canada. National Aboriginal Day was officially proclaimed by the federal government in 1996 following consultation with indigenous groups and organizations.
This year’s celebration is particularly special because it is the twentieth anniversary of the day that National Aboriginal Day was enacted. It is incredible to see how much progress has been made by Canada’s indigenous populations over the past two decades.
Did you know that June 21st was chosen for National Aboriginal Day because that is the day on which the summer solstice falls upon? The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, and it is an event that is of deep historical importance to many aboriginal communities.
Yesterday I had the honour of participating in the First Nations Summit here in Ottawa. The meeting was a great first step towards building a new relationship between the federal government and our First Nations peoples. By working together can we ensure that aboriginal Canadians are treated with the dignity and respect. By learning more and educating ourselves on the cultural traditions and values of our indigenous peoples we can build a country that better represents all Canadians.
Would you like to learn more about National Aboriginal Day? Click the link here.
