06/21/2026
Short 1 min read: History Lesson below.
This year, Father's Day falls on the same day as National Indigenous Peoples Day. I enjoy the image it offers. The Indigenous People welcomed us on their land as a loving father welcomes you at the front door of his home... Now for the History.
In 1996, Governor General Roméo LeBlanc declared June 21 of each year as "National Aboriginal Day." This was the result of consultations and statements of support from various Indigenous groups:
in 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
in 1995, the Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people chaired by Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day
On June 21, 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day "National Indigenous Peoples Day."