June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day

A yearly celebration of Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions

On June 21, the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) recognizes National Indigenous Peoples Day, a yearly celebration of Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions.

History

In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.¹ In 1990, Quebec became the very first province or territory to designate June 21 as a day celebrating Indigenous culture.²

First proclaimed as “National Aboriginal Day” by the federal government in 1996,³ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau renamed June 21 “National Indigenous Peoples Day” in 2017.⁴

Significance

National Indigenous Peoples Day generally coincides with the summer solstice, the first official day of summer and the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. The summer solstice holds special meaning for many Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Not only is it the beginning of a season of berry picking and fishing, powwows and gatherings,⁵ it is also a time of ceremony, renewal, and a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.

Coast Salish First Nations host gatherings featuring long canoe journeys, which symbolize "unity, strength and the enduring connection to the waterways that sustain life."⁶ For others, such as the Plains Cree, the summer solstice is the beginning of a new year and is marked by ceremonies and prayers.⁷ Some, like the Atikamekw in La Tuque, Quebec, may invite Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks alike to participate in a traditional sunrise ceremony, feast on game prepared using traditional methods, take in workshops on traditional music, or partake in a history lesson on regalia.⁸

Get involved

There are events and activities taking place across Canada to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Find out which Indigenous territory you live on and which Indigenous languages are spoken there.
• Sign up for a continuing education course related to Indigenous language, culture, or traditions at your local community college.
• Take part in the in person or online programs, exhibits, and events of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation or the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
• Check out the list of events on this Government of Canada website or search provincial, territorial or Indigenous organizations’ websites to find activities such as powwows, feasts, or other gatherings taking place in your area of the country.

¹Government of Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. (2025). National Indigenous Peoples Day. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1708446948967, accessed October 1, 2025.

²Assembly of First Nations. (2024). AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day. https://afn.ca/all-news/press-releases/afn-national-chief-cindy-woodhouse-nepinak-celebrates-national-indigenous-peoples-day/, accessed October 1, 2025.

³Government of Canada, Justice Laws Website. (2025). Proclamation Declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SI-96-55/page-1.htm, accessed October 1, 2025.

⁴Prime Minister of Canada. (2017). Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2017. https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2017/06/21/statement-prime-minister-canada-national-aboriginal-day, accessed October 1, 2025.

⁵Indigenous Tourism BC (no date). National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1708446948967, accessed October 1, 2025.

⁶Native News Online. (2024). Summer Solstice Brings Prayers, Ceremony to Indian Country. https://nativenewsonline.net/environment/summer-solstice-brings-prayers-ceremony-to-indian-country, accessed October 1, 2025.

⁷Kehoe, T. F., & Kehoe, A. B. (1977). Stones, solstices and sun dance structures. Plains Anthropologist, 22(76), 85–95. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25667371, accessed October 1, 2025.

⁸Lavoie, É. (2024). La culture autochtone à l’honneur en juin. L’Écho. https://www.lechodelatuque.com/infolettre/la-culture-autochtone-a-lhonneur-en-juin, accessed October 1, 2025.