1. It Takes Place on June 21 Every Year.
National Aboriginal Day often coincides with the summer solstice. However, this year the solstice was on June 20.
2. National Aboriginal Day Was First Established 20 Years Ago.
Created in 1996 by former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc after many consultations with First Nation, Inuit, and Metis people, the idea was first introduced in 1982 by the Assembly of First Nations, formerly the National Indian Brotherhood.
3. Many Say That It Should Be a Statutory Holiday.
“Most Canadians don’t get this day off to take in any of the amazing events going on around the country,” said Jeff Ward, owner of the web company Animikii Inc., as reported by Macleans. He is trying to garner support from other Canadian businesses to make it a holiday for employees.
Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, a nonprofit in Ontario, has already made the day a holiday for their staff, recognizing “there is a growing national awareness and respect in the non-Aboriginal community with an accompanying desire to support positive social change.”
4. It Comes up in Action #80 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.
The report, which chronicles the impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples, calls on the federal government to establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which would be a statutory holiday.
5. The Northwest Territories Have Celebrated the Day as a Statutory Holiday Since 2001.
The Yukon government is also considering the move, but is first consulting with Yukoners before making it official.
6. Ottawa Hosts a Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival on the Day.
The event attracts more than 45,000 visitors. The Inuit throat singers that performed at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s swearing-in ceremony performed at the festival.
Festival-goers at the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival at Vincent Massey Park. | Photo: Twitter / @Ottawa_Tourism
7. The House of Commons Voted That June Be Named as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009.
The motion was introduced by former NDP MP Jean Crowder, who had said it was “one small step.”
"Many communities already celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21st," said Crowder at the time. "Now I hope they plan more events to celebrate the history of Aboriginal peoples in their area and across Canada."