Celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21st
Provincewide Events Mark the 20th Anniversary of National Aboriginal Day.
Every June 21, diverse and colourful events are held across the province to celebrate the contributions Indigenous people have made to Ontario and Canada.
National Aboriginal Day events invite us to learn more about Indigenous history, perspectives and culture, and help us build stronger relationships rooted in mutual respect and understanding. For Ontario, this is the foundation for lasting reconciliation.
This June 21, the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, check out one of the events happening in your community, such as:
- Sunrise Ceremony and Flag Raising, presented by the City of Toronto Aboriginal Celebration Committee, June 21, Toronto City Hall, Toronto
- Niagara Falls, lit in the colours of the Medicine Wheel (yellow, red, blue and white), June 21, Niagara Falls
- Thunder Bay National Aboriginal Day, June 21, Fort William First Nation Pow Wow Grounds, Thunder Bay
- National Aboriginal Day Celebration at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, June 21, Midland
Celebrating Indigenous culture and history is one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It reflects the government’s commitment to work with Indigenous partners, creating a better future for everyone in the province.
QUICK FACTS
- National Aboriginal Day is the first day of Celebrate Canada Days. The National Holiday of Quebec on June 24 follows and concludes with Canada Day on July 1.
- Former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc declared June 21 as National Aboriginal Day in 1996.
- June 21 was chosen because of the cultural significance of summer solstice, additionally, June 21 is the day on which many Indigenous communities in Canada celebrate their heritage.
- Ontario has the largest Aboriginal population of any Canadian province. Ontario has more than 210,000 First Nations people, more than 86,000 Métis and just over 2,500 Inuit.
- The Iroquois word “Ontario” means beautiful lake or beautiful water and was first used for Lake Ontario.
- Ontario designated the first week of November to be Treaties Recognition Week. It promotes public education and awareness about treaties and the treaty relationship.
