While Prince Rupert is celebrating its 13th observance National Aboriginal Day, it is important to note that the roots of the day can be traced back almost three decades and includes countless years of lobbying and pursuing the issue with the Federal Government.
The first call for a day to recognize the culture and contributions of the many First Nations, Inuit and Metis people of Canada goes back to 1982. It was then that the National Indian Brotherhood, which is now the Assembly of First Nations, called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Day. Even then there was no question as to when the event should be observed, with the Brotherhood calling for the celebrations to be observed on June 21 - the summer solstice.
Showing the speed with which the request was handled, the formal process wasn’t begun until 1995 when the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the observance of such a day. In December 1995, Elijah Harper hosted a Sacred Assembly in Hull, Quebec at which a national day to recognize Aboriginal peoples and their contribution to Canada was discussed. Following consultations, Aboriginal groups, the federal government selected June 21st. The date was chosen because the summer solstice holds special significance for many Aboriginal groups who already celebrate their cultures and heritage on that day.
On June 13 of the following year, just eight days before it is to be celebrated, Governor General Romeo LeBlanc declared June 21 as National Aboriginal Day across the country. Eight days later the first National Aboriginal Day events are held.
Today National Aboriginal Day is part of the annual nationwide Celebrate Canada! festivities held from June 21st to July 1st.