We celebrate to recognize the strength, beauty and contributions of First Nation, Inuit, and Metis peoples, the original peoples of this land. Indigenous Nations have stewarded the land, developed sophisticated legal and governance systems and created rich cultural traditional for thousands of years.
June 21st is the summer solstice, a time for spiritual significant for many Indigeous Peoples. It is a season of growth, renewal, and ceremony, making it a powerful time to come together in community and reflection.
This day is not just about celebration, it’s about truth-telling. Canada was build on the displacement, attempted erasure, and continues marginalization of Indigenous Peoples.
Nations Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to:
• Acknowledge the impacts of colonization, residential schools, the Indian Act and continued systemic injustices.
• Remember that their struggle for Justice and equality is ongoing.
• Learn about the history and struggle of Indigenous peoples while centering the voices of survivors and their families, land defenders, knowledge holders, etc.
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day means committing to reconciliation, equality, and Indigenous-led resurgence. It is a call to:
• Honour Treaty Relationships, Inherit Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Sovereignty (not all Indigenous Nations signed Treaties, and no Indigenous Nation signed over their sovereignty over their lands).
• Support Land Back, Land Defenders and Indigenous Rights to self-determination.
• Amplify Indigenous voices in decision-making, education, health and justice systems.
Elder Kim Wheatley heats the drum by the fire during the annual Sunrise Ceremony to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario on June 21, 2024. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Inherent rights are the rights that Indigenous Peoples have by virtue of their existence as distinct, self-determining Nations. These rights do not come from the Canadian state – they existed long before the formation of Canada and continue regardless of colonial recognition.
Inherit rights are based on:
These rights are not granted by governments. They are pre-existing, grounded in natural law, Indigenous legal traditions, and international human rights instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Honouring inherit rights is essential for true reconciliation, justice and decolonization. These rights are not negotiable, they are a legal, ethical and relational responsibility that governments and settlers must uphold.
The push for Indigenous rights in Canada is rooted in ongoing colonialism. From the imposition of the Indian Act (1876) to the residential school system, land dispossession and denial of basic rights, Indigenous Peoples have faced systemic efforts to erase their cultures laws and governance.
Image: People protest outside of Canada’s parliament in support of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s strike on January 11, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario. AFP PHOTO/MICHEL COMTE (Photo credit should read MICHEL COMTE/AFP via Getty Images)
A national voice for Indigenous women and gender-diverse people, NWAC continues to fight for equity, safety, and recognition across all policy areas.
Hundreds of Indigenous leaders traveled across Canada and to the UK to demand constitutional recognition of Indigenous rights. Their efforts helped enshrine Section 35 in the 1982 Constitution Act.
Mohawk land defenders opposed the expansion of a golf course on sacred burial grounds. The 78-day standoff drew national attention to Indigenous land rights and became a catalyst for resistance movements.
The Supreme Court of Canada affirmed that Aboriginal title is a collective, constitutionally protected right. The case established that oral histories are valid evidence, Aboriginal title includes rights to the land itself, and governments must consult and accommodate Indigenous Peoples.
Adopted by the UN after decades of Indigenous advocacy. Canada initially opposed it but endorsed it in 2016 and passed implementation legislation in 2021.
The Idle No More movement began in response to federal legislation, Bill C-445 that threatened Indigenous land and water rights. Founded by four women, the grassroots movement grew into a national and international call for Indigenous sovereignty, environmental protection and treaty rights.
Following the work of residential school Survivors, the TRC issued 94 Calls to Action as a framework for truth, justice, and reconciliation.
Decades of advocacy led to a national inquiry that named the violence as genocide and released 231 Calls for Justice.
Solidarity actions erupted across Canada in support of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary Chies opposing Coastal GasLink pipeline. Protesters organized rail blockades, port shutdowns and highway occupations demanding respect for Indigenous Rights, Sovereignty and the right to Free Prior and Informed Consent.
Indigenous land defenders assert jurisdiction and defend territories from Wet’suwet’en to 1492 Land Back Lane, catalyzing national and international support.
Indigenous leaders from Canada help shape international standards on climate, human rights, and Indigenous sovereignty in global forums.
Toronto, ON
June 21, 2025 | ~5:30am
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Toronto, ON (Fort York)
June 20–21, 2025 with Grand Entry at Noon
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Ottawa, ON
June 21–22, 2025
Mādahòkì Farm, Wesley Clover Parks
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Thunder Bay, ON
June 21, 2025
Anemki Wajiw - Fort William First Nation, adjacent to Thunder Bay
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Vancouver, BC
June 21, 2025 | 12 pm–6 pm
Carnegie Community Centre (Main & Hastings)
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Victoria, BC
June 20, 2025
Royal Roads University
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Edmonton, AB
June 21, 2025 | 12pm–6pm
Borden Park
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Calgary, AB
June 21, 2025 | 10am–5pm
Heritage Park
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Saskatoon, SK
June 21, 2025 | 11am–2pm
Legacy Park, Fort Saskatchewan
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Regina, SK
June 20, 2025 | 10am–1pm
Regina's Victoria Park
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Winnipeg, MB
June 21 | 11am–3pm
The Forks Market (Agowiidiwinan Centre)
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Montreal, QC
June 21, 2025 | 1pm–8pm
Parc Arthur-Therrien in Verdun
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Fredericton, NB
June 20–21, 2025 | 11am–3pm
575 Queen St / Saunders St.
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St. John's, NL
June 21, 2025 | 6am–7am (Sunrise Ceremony) & 12pm–5pm (Celebrations)
Bannerman Park
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Whitehorse, YT
June 21, 2025
1171 1st Ave
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Banner ImageTop: Dancers perform during Na-Me-Res traditional Pow Wow, community festival celebrating in anticipation of Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, on June 15, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Red Dress Day is held annually on May 5th as a day of remembrance and action in hour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. IT was inspired by Jamie Black’s REDress Project where empty red dresses symbolize the absence and loss of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples due to colonial violence.
Yes, it is always observed every year on May 5th. It is intentionally timed to raise awareness during the spring season, a season symbolic for renewal.
Yes, it is appropriate and encouraged to wear a red dress, red clothing to show visible solidarity and acknowledgement of the crisis. Many Indigenous people wear red dress beaded earnings, pins, it is also appropriate for allies to wear these items if they are authentic, Indigenous made items.
