Communities across Canada celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

OTTAWA – Events were held across the country on Sunday to mark the 30th National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which honours the culture, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

The day coincides with the summer solstice — the longest day of the year — and holds deep cultural significance for many Indigenous groups. It’s the culmination of Indigenous Peoples Month, which is observed every June.

National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, formerly National Aboriginal Day, was proclaimed in 1996 by then-governor general Romeo LeBlanc after years of advocacy from Indigenous groups.

In Ottawa, a ceremony was hosted by Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones to mark the 25th anniversary of the unveiling of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa.

The bronze sculpture by artist Noel Lloyd Pinay, from Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan, features four warriors along with an elk, a bear, a buffalo and a wolf, overlooked by an eagle intended to represent the Creator.

Pinay’s father was severely wounded in the Second World War. 

Elder Aurel Dubé, from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, said thousands of Indigenous people have “made the ultimate sacrifice for this country that took away our land.” He said anger over the way Pinay’s father and his fellow Indigenous veterans were treated helped drive the creation of the monument.

“Our Indigenous warriors have not always been treated fairly,” he said. “That is the main reason of the conception of this monument.” 

Around 100 people attended Sunday’s ceremony, including veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces and many people who were in attendance for the monument’s unveiling. 

Drummer Greg Meekis said he was humbled to return 25 years after being part of the original ceremony.

“I’m really honoured to be in front of these warriors here,” he said. 

Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, who inaugurated the monument in 2001, was also in attendance. 

“It hardly seems like 25 years ago that we inaugurated this monument. It was overdue,” she said, wearing a headdress gifted to her by the Blood Tribe in Alberta, who adopted her as an honorary chief. 

Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour noted the contributions of Indigenous codebreakers in the Second World War, and said Indigenous members of the Canadian Rangers are key to Arctic security today. 

“In a time of rising global tensions, our collective security depends above all on the trust we place in each other,” she said. 

“Our path forward lies in deepening the bonds of partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.” 

Dubé said the summer solstice is a sacred day for Indigenous people. 

“Historically, the solstice served as the beginning of the social and travel season, a time to meet other nations, share stories, feast and perform traditional dances and drumming,” he said. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Nanaimo, B.C., on Sunday where he visited an exhibit on Snuneymuxw culture at the Nanaimo Museum, led by Elder William White. 

Carney was given a wool nobility blanket, traditionally made by the Snuneymuxw First Nation for high-ranking leaders, and a headpiece made of cedar. 

In a statement, Carney said the government has worked in partnership with Indigenous people over the last year to advance “shared priorities and major projects.”

“Today, as we celebrate the resilience of Indigenous Peoples across Canada, we continue to build a better future in partnership,” he wrote. 

“A future where First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children grow up connected to the cultures, languages, and traditions of their ancestors and with access to the full promise of Canada.”

In a statement, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the day must also be one of accountability. 

“Reconciliation cannot be accomplished by announcements and promises,” she wrote. 

“It is achieved through quality schools for First Nations children, safe housing for First Nations families, clean drinking water for First Nations communities, and First Nations exercising their inherent rights to govern their lands, waters, and futures.”

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty was set to attend the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in Ottawa, which featured a competition powwow, culinary experiences and educational programming.

Other events were held in communities across the country, including Wanuskewin Heritage Park near Saskatoon, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Moncton, Toronto and Montreal. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2026.

— With files from Wolfgang Depner in Nanaimo, B.C.