Canada Celebrates 30th National Indigenous Peoples Day
Events are taking place across the country to mark the 30th National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday — a day designed to celebrate the culture, history, 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 serves as the culmination of Indigenous Peoples Month, celebrated every June.
A Day Decades in the Making
National Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly known as National Aboriginal Day, was proclaimed in 1996 by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc following years of advocacy by Indigenous groups. The renaming reflected a broader recognition of the distinct identities and heritage of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Ottawa Hosts Key Celebrations
Métis National Council President Victoria Pruden will celebrate the day at the Rhythms of the Homeland event at Minto Park in Ottawa, billed as a celebration of Métis food, music, and dance. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty will attend the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in Ottawa, which features a powwow competition, culinary experiences, and educational programs.
Governor General Louise Arbor will attend a ceremony hosted by Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones to mark the 25th anniversary of the unveiling of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa.
Events Spanning the Country
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to be in Nanaimo, B.C., on Sunday to visit an exhibit on Snuneymuxw culture at the Nanaimo Museum. In Saskatoon, Wanuskewin Heritage Park is hosting a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with traditional dancing, drumming performances, and storytelling.
Vancouver’s Ambleside Park will host an event featuring live music, canoeing activities, and a traditional open fire salmon dinner. The Forks in Winnipeg is hosting a number of events, including the Wahkohtowin Powwow presented by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, along with a craft and food market, live music, and traditional storytelling.
A celebration of Mi’kmaw culture will take place at Bore Park in Moncton, N.B. In Corner Brook, N.L., Elmastukwek Mawio’mi is hosting a sunrise ceremony and community meeting. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is hosting its annual celebration of hand games, duck plucking, and canoe racing at the Wiiliideh site in the Northwest Territories.
We’koqma’q in Nova Scotia is hosting a community breakfast, medicine walk, community barbecue, and fireworks show. The City of Toronto will hold a morning ceremony at Biidaasige Park on Sunday. Meanwhile, POP Montreal is offering a free outdoor concert with performances by Hello Crows, Linda Saddleback, and the Manitou Singers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2026.
