In Canada, June 21 is officially recognized as National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day to celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, while also taking time to appreciate their diverse cultures and unique heritage.
For generations, many Indigenous peoples have celebrated their culture on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. It was for this reason that the Government of Canada, in cooperation with Indigenous organizations, chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Indigenous Peoples Day.