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Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day

Learn about the various cultures and traditions of Canada’s Indigenous People, or join an event or ceremony to see how they have been preserved over time.

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Celebrate Indigenous cultures and drive community engagement through educational events, cultural experiences, and authentic partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

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Host or sponsor a traditional feast or cultural ceremony in your community
Create educational content spotlighting Indigenous languages, storytelling traditions, and historical contributions
Partner with local Indigenous artisans and businesses for in-store or online cultural showcases
Launch a reconciliation-focused campaign highlighting your brand's commitment to Indigenous communities

History

The day was officially recognized in Canada by the Governor-General of Canada Roméo LeBlanc in 1996. A year earlier in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples put forward the idea for the day to be created.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was a Commission put forward to reconcile the relationship between the Métis, Inuits and First Nation peoples and the Canadian Government. In 1996, Aboriginal Day was born, later changed to Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017.

In 1995, it wasn’t just the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples that suggested the day should be celebrated. A team of non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples gathered and named themselves the Sacred Assembly.

Chaired by Elijah Harper (Canadian Politician and Chief of the Red Sucker Lake First Nations) they called for a day for Indigenous Peoples to be celebrated and recognized for their contributions to our society. In 1982, what is now known as the Assembly of First Nations, set the path for the creation of this day, which led to Quebec recognizing the day as early as 1990.

However, there has been chatter about creating this day since 1945, when the day was first termed as ‘Indian Day’ by First Nation Chiefs, led by Jules Sioui. Jules Sioui was part of Huron Wendake First Nation and led two conventions during World War II which started to challenge the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The first meeting was chaired in 1943 in Ottawa and was attended by 53 people. The conference grew remarkably, and in 1944 was attended by four times as many people. Since then calls for a day of recognition have gained increasing traction and popularity.

Meanwhile, in late-1970s America, an International Conference began to suggest that America should host a celebration of its Indigenous peoples on Columbus Day. In 1989, it was first celebrated by South Dakota, and by 2019 was observed by multiple towns and states, including Louisiana, Dallas and Vermont.

Brazil has also been celebrating since 1943, by decree of the then President, Getúlio Vargas. The UN also launched International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in 1994, celebrating worldwide contributions from global Indigenous populations.

The United Nations had issued a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007, which aimed to create a global framework for the preservation, dignity and well-being of each Indigenous culture. This process started in 1982, when the UN created the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, to discuss the discrimination that Indigenous Peoples had faced worldwide.

How to celebrate

Learn About Culture and Traditions

This is the perfect time to learn about different Indigenous Peoples and their cultures and traditions. For example, in Canada, this day celebrates the First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures. Why not learn about the Michif language of the Métis, or find out more about the storytelling traditions of the Inuits? Learning about the separate cultures will help us to understand how each independent group contributed to many of the things in society we take for granted today.

Get Involved in Events

Consider getting involved in a local event and participate in a traditional feast or experiencing a sacred ceremony. Dive right in and download some of the online material – why have some fun with family and friends and learn about Indigenous Peoples in the process? If you don’t have an event near you, why not host your own and reach out to the local Indigenous community for some assistance.

Learn More History

Learning about the history of Indigenous Peoples is also part of understanding why a day of celebration is so vital for preserving cultures today. From land disputes to reconciling with Governments across the world, the story for all Indigenous Peoples has not been an easy one. Luckily now we can preserve and enjoy all Indigenous cultures and appreciate the vast contribution that has been and is still being made today. So get stuck in, participate in a traditional event and learn all you can about different cultures. Help us send a big thank you to the original inhabitants of our planet for making it what it is today.

FAQ

How are First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada different from one another?

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are three distinct Indigenous peoples recognized in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. First Nations is a collective term for many different nations and communities across most of non‑Arctic Canada, each with its own culture, language, and often historic treaties with the Crown. Inuit are an Arctic people whose homeland, Inuit Nunangat, spans the northern parts of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, and Labrador, with rights largely set out in modern land claims and self-government agreements. Métis are a distinct people who emerged mainly in the historic fur‑trade era on the Prairies, with their own culture, political traditions, and the Michif language, and whose constitutional rights have been clarified through court decisions and self‑government agreements. [1]

What is meant by a “distinctions‑based” approach to Indigenous rights and policy in Canada?

A distinctions‑based approach recognizes that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis each have distinct histories, cultures, legal frameworks, and priorities, so laws and programs should not treat “Indigenous peoples” as a single homogeneous group. Instead, federal departments increasingly develop separate, co‑designed initiatives with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, for example, in health or governance, so that each people’s rights, needs, and institutions are addressed in ways that reflect their specific circumstances. [1]

Why is the term “Indigenous peoples” often preferred over “Aboriginal,” and when should specific nation names be used?

“Aboriginal peoples” is the term written into section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and remains important in law. Many institutions now use “Indigenous peoples” because it aligns with international instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and reflects current preferred usage in many communities. Canadian terminology guides advise using the most specific and accurate words possible, such as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or, better yet, the particular nation or community name, while recognizing that some individuals and communities may still prefer older terms in certain contexts.

How serious is the risk to Indigenous languages in Canada?

Research shows that most Indigenous languages in Canada are endangered to some degree, with several having only a small number of fluent Elder speakers. Census and scholarly data indicate that relatively few Indigenous children grow up with an Indigenous language as their mother tongue, and many communities have experienced “breaks” in intergenerational transmission because of past policies such as residential schools, where children were punished for speaking their languages. A smaller group of languages, including Cree and Inuktut varieties, still have larger speaker populations but also face pressure from the dominance of English and French. [1]

What were residential schools and how did they affect Indigenous cultures and languages?

Residential schools were government‑funded, church‑run institutions that operated for more than a century, where many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were forcibly removed from their families and communities. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented that students were often forbidden to speak their languages and practice their cultures, and many experienced abuse and neglect. These policies contributed directly to the loss of language transmission and to long‑term intergenerational harm that continues to affect families and communities today.

How does the Indigenous Languages Act support language revitalization?

The Indigenous Languages Act, which received Royal Assent in 2019, recognizes that Indigenous languages are fundamental to the identities and cultures of Indigenous peoples and affirms that the rights of Indigenous peoples under section 35 include rights related to those languages. The Act creates the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and commits the federal government to support Indigenous‑led efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen Indigenous languages through funding, partnerships, and practical measures such as documentation, community programming, and education initiatives. [1]

What role do Indigenous legal orders and treaties play alongside Canadian law?

Indigenous legal orders are the laws, protocols, and decision‑making traditions that originate within Indigenous societies themselves. In Canada, many First Nations are also parties to historic treaties with the Crown, while Inuit and some First Nations have modern land‑claims and self‑government agreements, and Métis rights have been recognized through court decisions and negotiated arrangements. These Indigenous legal traditions and treaty relationships exist alongside Canadian constitutional and statutory law, and courts and governments increasingly acknowledge that meaningful reconciliation requires giving legal and practical effect to Indigenous laws and to the rights recognized in section 35 and in modern treaties.