National Indigenous People’s Day – June 21, 2026
June 21
This year, Siksika Nation Tribal Administration honours National Indigenous Peoples Day, which
coincides with the Summer Solstice, a time of renewal and balance in our cultural teachings.
We recognize this day as an opportunity to reflect on where we come from and where we stand today as
Siksikaitapi people. It is a moment to honour our identity, our resilience, and the strength carried
forward through our language, culture, and ancestral knowledge.
History of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada
National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated annually on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice,
the longest day of the year. For generations, many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have
marked this time with ceremonies, gatherings, and cultural celebrations.
The creation of a national day recognizing Indigenous Peoples was the result of decades of advocacy. In
1982, the National Indian Brotherhood—now the Assembly of First Nations—called for a National
Aboriginal Solidarity Day. In 1995, both the Sacred Assembly, chaired by Elijah Harper, and the Royal
Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended a national day to celebrate Indigenous Peoples and
their contributions to Canada.
In response, Governor General Roméo LeBlanc officially proclaimed June 21 as National Aboriginal
Day in 1996. More than twenty years later, on June 21, 2017, the federal government announced that
the day would be known as National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Today, it remains an important opportunity to celebrate and recognize Indigenous cultures, histories,
and achievements across Canada.