Update: This post originally stated that June 13th was the initial date of National Aboriginal Day and that it was later moved to June 21st. It has been updated to read that June 21st was the designated date from the beginning.
Governor General Roméo LeBlanc signed the proclamation formally on June 13, 1996 designating June 21st as National Aboriginal Day. This date was chosen for its cultural significance - it marks the summer solstice, which is the first day of summer and the longest hours of sunlight we see during the year.
Every day to me is National Aboriginal Day; I’m a proud Native woman when I wake up every morning and when I go to sleep every night. I sort of equate it to the whole celebrating love only on Valentine’s Day kinda thing, but it’s good to take a moment to reflect on the rich heritage of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of this land.
Are you doing/thinking/reflecting on anything for this year’s National Aboriginal Day?
Click here for a full listing of events across Canada.
My sister and I, proudly representing the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations, Iroquois peoples)
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two comments
I'm confused. Google says today is the first day of summer, yet I always knew June 21st as the first day of summer and the summer solstice.
I'm going to the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival day 2 tomorrow!
Wasn't it that on June 13th LeBlanc declared June 21st to be National Aboriginal Day, not June 13th being the Day then it was moved to June 21st?
Posted by Jelly
June 20, 2008, 12:47 PM
Hi Jelly,
It's a somewhat confusing sentence and series of actions, LeBlanc signed the proclaimation on June 13th, and it was decided that the day needed to be on June 21st for the summer solstice. You would think they would just sign it on the same day they are declaring it THAT day, but alas that's how the feds roll sometimes!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/abo...
Have fun at the Arts Festival!
Posted by Jessica Yee
June 20, 2008, 1:41 PM
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