National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)2026 · Date · History · Messages
Canadian Heritage uses National Indigenous Peoples Day for 21 June; archived federal material documents the earlier National Aboriginal Day name, so the public page title is retained as a legacy search alias.
About National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)
National Indigenous Peoples Day is observed in Canada every year on 21 June. It is a federal commemorative day highlighting the heritage, cultural diversity and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
The day began in 1996 as National Aboriginal Day through a Royal Proclamation. A 2018 proclamation formally renamed it National Indigenous Peoples Day while retaining the same annual date.
Why National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) matters
The observance is an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the distinct histories, cultures, languages and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples rather than treating Indigenous peoples as a single culture.
June 21 was chosen in collaboration with national Indigenous organizations because it coincides with the summer solstice, a time with longstanding cultural significance for many Indigenous peoples and communities.
History of National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)
On 13 June 1996, a proclamation declared June 21 of each year National Aboriginal Day. Government of Canada material identifies then Governor General Roméo LeBlanc with the 1996 proclamation.
In June 2017, the Government announced its intention to rename the observance National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Order in Council P.C. 2018-792 directed the formal renaming, and a proclamation issued on 28 June 2018 renamed National Aboriginal Day as National Indigenous Peoples Day without changing the June 21 date.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Governor General of Canada
Royal Proclamation declaring June 21 of each year National Aboriginal Day
Formally renamed National Aboriginal Day held on June 21 of each year as National Indigenous Peoples Day without changing the date.
Governor in Council / Governor General of Canada · Order in Council P.C. 2018-792 and Proclamation SI/2018-55
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
National Aboriginal Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day
How to Observe National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)
Attend an Indigenous-led cultural, educational or community event and follow the guidance of the organizers.
Learn about the First Nations, Inuit or Métis peoples connected to the region where you live, using Indigenous and government sources rather than relying on generic summaries.
Read, watch or listen to work by Indigenous authors, artists, historians and educators and pay attention to the specific nation or community represented.
Use the day to learn about both historical experiences and present-day Indigenous communities, languages, achievements and priorities.
National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) Facts
National Indigenous Peoples Day is observed on 21 June each year in Canada.
It was originally proclaimed in 1996 as National Aboriginal Day.
A 2018 proclamation formally renamed the day National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The date coincides with the summer solstice.
The federal observance recognizes First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) Messages
Wishing everyone a thoughtful National Indigenous Peoples Day grounded in learning, respect and celebration of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
May National Indigenous Peoples Day create space to listen to Indigenous voices, honour living cultures and learn from the histories that shape Canada today.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrate the distinct cultures, languages, achievements and communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
May this National Indigenous Peoples Day be marked by curiosity, respect and support for Indigenous-led stories, events and communities.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Canada Gazette — Proclamation renaming National Aboriginal Day as National Indigenous Peoples Day, SI/2018-55 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Proclamation
Canadian Heritage — 2016 statement on 1996 Royal Proclamation (opens in a new tab)
Canadian Heritage — National commemorative days (opens in a new tab)
Canadian Heritage — National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026 (opens in a new tab)
National Government
Government of Canada — archived National Aboriginal Day reference (opens in a new tab)
National Government Archive
Government of Canada — Indigenous commemorative days (opens in a new tab)
Government First Party
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)?
21 June annually The documented recurrence rule is: 21 June.
Does National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Canada / federal Indigenous commemoration. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)?
The reviewed sources identify Governor General of Canada as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Canada. Its fuller verified scope is: Canada / federal Indigenous commemoration.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-08.
When is National Indigenous Peoples Day?
It is observed every year on 21 June in Canada.
What was National Indigenous Peoples Day previously called?
It was proclaimed in 1996 as National Aboriginal Day and formally renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day by a 2018 proclamation.
Why is it held on June 21?
The Government of Canada says June 21 was chosen in collaboration with national Indigenous organizations because it is the summer solstice, a culturally significant time for many Indigenous peoples and communities.
Other observances on June 21
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A/RES/73/300
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A/RES/69/131
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