Celebrating National Aboriginal Day
June 19, 2009 at 1:55 AM
CUPE Local 500 members working in Public Works and Water and Waste had an opportunity to celebrate the culture and traditions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples during a noon hour event held at 1155 Pacific on June 15. The event, which was organized by the Aboriginal Employee Working Group, was the first of three celebrations held in recognition of National Aboriginal Day
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About 60 people were treated to fiddle and dance performances and bannock making.
June 21 was first proclaimed in 1996 as an annual occasion to recognize the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions to Canada of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Collectively these groups make up the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. The date was selected for several reasons, including the fact that it coincides with the summer solstice.
In 1982 the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on June 21. In 1995, a similar recommendation was made by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. It called for a National First Peoples Day to be designated.
Also in 1995, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, known as The Sacred Assembly, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal Peoples to Canada.
The first National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed by the Governor General the following year. It is now part of a series of 'Celebrate Canada' days beginning on June 21 and followed by St-Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.
