TORONTO — Events are being held across Canada to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, including a sunrise ceremony in Toronto, a totem pole unveiling in Whitehorse and the renaming of a street in Montreal.
Toronto Mayor John Tory met with Indigenous leaders and community members during a traditional ceremony in Nathan Phillips Square outside city hall that included singing, drumming and a sacred fire.
Later today in Whitehorse, a restored centennial totem pole will be unveiled with members of the late carver's family in attendance.
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! We're highlighting a few of the many diverse Indigenous languages that exist across the country. Learn lessons from language keepers and see what's being done to promote and preserve original languages. https://t.co/R9rv7Xozx0 pic.twitter.com/mqanzWPyjx
— CBC Indigenous (@CBCIndigenous) June 21, 2019
In Montreal, officials are expected to rename Amherst Street in honour of someone of Indigenous significance.
British general Jeffery Amherst, who oversaw the capitulation of Montreal in September 1760, is also accused of using blankets that he knew were contaminated with smallpox to quell Indigenous rebellions.
Meantime in Gatineau, Que., this morning, Liberal MP William Amos is expected to unveil an interactive map of Indigenous place names across the country.
Today is a time to celebrate and honour the diverse cultures, knowledge, economies, governance, history and resilience of Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land since time immemorial. #IndigenousPeoplesDay https://t.co/pHKYkusLix
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) June 21, 2019
Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the unique heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and recognize their important contributions to Canada. Read my full statement: https://t.co/INVlFWclBA pic.twitter.com/oIzHAB0RVS
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 21, 2019
Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the unique heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples: https://t.co/V9bYfqYSJB #NIPDCanada
— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) June 21, 2019
It's National Indigenous Peoples Day! Join in the celebrations with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations this weekend at Victoria Indigenous Cultural Festival (June 21-23) in the plaza of the @RoyalBCMuseum. For more info, see @IndigenousBC, free admission. #exploreBC pic.twitter.com/nFKsYbfWR6
— Destination BC (@HelloBC) June 21, 2019
On June 21, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with hundreds of activities from coast to coast. Don’t miss it!
— Canadian Heritage (@CdnHeritage) June 13, 2019
Find out what’s happening near you!
Today on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and remember the outstanding service and sacrifice of the thousands of Indigenous women and men who have served and all those who are currently serving in our @CanadianForces. #NIPDCanada pic.twitter.com/NzgjqvL5GF
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) June 21, 2019
A beautiful start to Indigenous Peoples Day this morning at City Hall with a sunrise ceremony. #IndigenousPeoplesDay pic.twitter.com/zZWSNMBuYg
— Julie Dabrusin (@juliedabrusin) June 21, 2019
Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day. I was honoured to attend the Sunrise Ceremony in Nathan Phillips Square this morning with Indigenous leaders & community members. #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay pic.twitter.com/y1fEIJgalq
— John Tory (@JohnTory) June 21, 2019
Proud to proclaim today as Indigenous Peoples Day in the City of Toronto. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay pic.twitter.com/ssoRbNNyIn
— John Tory (@JohnTory) June 21, 2019
On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, let us not just celebrate the contributions made by Indigenous Peoples, but stand with them in their struggle for justice.#NIPD2019 pic.twitter.com/ue1XmpJCyo
— Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) June 21, 2019
Thanks to the First Nations, Inuit and Métis elders who shared their wisdom with us this morning at the traditional ceremony in celebration of #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay. 🌅 #NIPDCanada pic.twitter.com/gf0fo21d0l
— Pablo Rodriguez (@pablorodriguez) June 21, 2019
Premier John Horgan ’s statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day:
“On National Indigenous Peoples Day, people around British Columbia and across Canada celebrate and honour the diverse cultures, knowledge, economies, governance, history and resilience of Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land since time immemorial.
“We acknowledge the injustices of hundreds of years of colonialism endured by Indigenous peoples that still echo in our systems and institutions. The trauma and abuse of residential schools continue to be felt through generations, and Indigenous peoples continue to face barriers not faced by non-Indigenous peoples.
“The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls brought to the forefront the impacts of colonial violence, disproportionate levels of racialized, sexualized and systemic violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit peoples. To their families, friends and communities, we acknowledge your loved ones are cherished and greatly missed.
“Today and every day, our government recognizes our responsibility to advance reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous peoples, and we have taken significant steps forward.
“Together with Indigenous peoples, we are working to build a more prosperous future, with revenue sharing, delivering affordable housing, supporting language revitalization and having the care of children in Indigenous communities where it belongs. We are working collaboratively with First Nations on land-use planning and environmental stewardship.
“But we know there is more to do. A key step is legislation that will set the foundation for what comes next in our work together on reconciliation. This fall, British Columbia will be the first province to introduce legislation that enshrines the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into provincial law.
The declaration articulates the inherent human rights that should be protected for Indigenous peoples, including self-determination, language, culture, education and territory. The legislation will form the foundation for the Province’s work on reconciliation, mandating government to bring provincial laws and policies into harmony with the declaration.
“Every person in B.C., and across Canada, has a role to play in reconciliation. As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, let’s work together to better understand our shared history, heal the traumas of the past and present, and build a brighter future for generations to come.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on National Indigenous Peoples Day
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day:
“Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the unique heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
“On this day, and throughout National Indigenous History Month, we also recognize the important contributions Indigenous peoples have made and continue to make to Canada. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have shaped our past and will continue to shape our future. Canada can only move forward if Indigenous peoples can succeed and prosper.
“Indigenous communities and individuals continue to defend their cultures, honour their traditions, and share their stories so that they may be carried forward by generations to come.
Today, Parliament will adopt legislation that will support work by Indigenous communities to protect, preserve, and revitalize their languages, which are fundamental to their cultures and heritage. It will also adopt legislation to reform child and family services, and affirm the right of Indigenous peoples to decide what is best for their children, their families, and their communities.
“No relationship is more important to Canada than the relationship with Indigenous peoples – and we are committed to building a renewed relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.
Advancing reconciliation means changing colonial laws, policies, and practices, and addressing their impacts on the lives of Indigenous peoples. We are facing the hardest of truths – including those outlined in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – so that we can move forward together.
“We know that to rebuild trust, words must be paired with action. That is why we’ve made unprecedented investments to close gaps in housing, health, and education for Indigenous communities, and taken important steps forward on reconciliation and righting past wrongs.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage all Canadians to participate in events taking place across Canada and celebrate the history, traditions, and cultures of Indigenous peoples.”