The National Indian Brotherhood (now Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a celebration of Indigenous peoples, their cultures, languages, and ceremonies in coincidence with the summer solstice in 1982. The Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples recommended the day be designated as Notional First Peoples Day in 1995 as a day to joyously celebrate Indigenous ways of being. In 1996 Governor General of Canada Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc dedicated June 21 to be celebrated as National Aboriginal Day proclaiming "Canada will honour the native peoples who first brought humanity to this great land" . LeBlanc further asked Canadians to acknowledge that "the first peoples of our past always be full and proud partners in our future".

National Indigenous Persons Day is a day of celebration. It was created and continues to honour Indigenous art and culture in a mindful and meaningful way. National Indigenous Persons Day is a day dedicated to highlighting the strength and resilience of the First Peoples of Canada including Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous persons. Although different than the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, non-Indigenous folks may still reflect on how they can use allyship, and consider the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action in their celebrations.

How can we celebrate First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures in a meaningful way?

Take some time to learn about the people whose land you work and play on. Check outnative-land.ca/ a website dedicated to publishing nation names, treaties, Indigenous languages, by geographic location.

If you’re living in present day Yellowknife, check out Yellowknife’s Dene and North Slave Métis Alliance websites. ykdene.com and nsma.net

Enjoy APTN’s Indigenous Day Live programming from anywhere in Canada celebrating Indigenous People’s unparalleled artistic achievements (programming offered in both French and English) aptntv.ca/nipd/