APTN Celebrates National Aboriginal Day in Eight Cities Across Canada

On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, join the gathering and celebrate Aboriginal cultures with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s Aboriginal Day Live across Canada as aprt of Canada 150.

This year marks the largest celebration of National Aboriginal Day in Canada’s history, as APTN host celebrations in eight cities across the country: Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, Edmonton and Vancouver.

All people are invited to join APTN’s for free day celebrations and activities as well as a live concert for free on location in our host cities, via a live 7-hour TV broadcast, via participating radio stations and online. Ottawa’s events begin with a sunrise ceremony in Victoria Island and continue at 10am at Major’s Hill Park and Montreal’s event begins at 10am at Place des Arts at Sainte-Catherine and Jeanne Mance.

National Aboriginal Day is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. It was first celebrated on June 21, 1996, after being recognized through a proclamation by then Governor General Roméo LeBlanc. National Aboriginal Day is part of the Celebrate Canada program, though most provinces do not recognize it as a statutory holiday.

10 Things About National Aboriginal Day

1. It falls on June 21 every year.

National Aboriginal Day often coincides with the summer solstice, which is a significant time in many aboriginal societies. This year, the summer solstice falls on June 20.

2. This is the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day.

It was created in 1996 by Roméo LeBlanc, governor general at the time, after many consultations with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people. The idea for a nationwide day to celebrate Indigenous culture and contributions was introduced in 1982, by the Assembly of First Nations, formerly the National Indian Brotherhood.

3. It’s not a statutory holiday, though some say it should be.

Jeff Ward, owner of web company Animikii Inc., is one of those who thinks it should be one. “Most Canadians don’t get this day off to take in any of the amazing events going on around the country,” he notes in a video blog posted to the company’s website. He is calling on other Canadian businesses make it a holiday for employees.

4. It comes up in Action #80 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.

The report called on the federal government to establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which would be a stat holiday.

5. The Northwest Territories has celebrated National Aboriginal Day as a stat holiday since 2001.

6. Every year around National Aboriginal Day, Ottawa hosts a Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival that attracts more than 45,000 visitors.

7. In 2009, the House of Commons unanimously voted that June be adopted as National Aboriginal History Month.

8. The Canadian government compiles a list of events happening across the country in celebration of National Aboriginal Day. This year APTN is hosting events in eight cites across Canada: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

You can find everything from powwows to movie marathons in all 13 of Canada’s provinces and territories.

9. National Aboriginal Day isn’t just about Indigenous people celebrating their heritage.

It’s a chance for all Canadians to learn about our country’s history and to celebrate Canada’s diversity.