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What is National Aboriginal Day (NAD)? Publication info: Prince Albert Daily Herald ; Prince Albert, Sask. [Prince Albert, Sask]20 June 2015: B5.

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ABSTRACT (ENGLISH) For generations, many Aboriginal peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near

this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. NAD was announced in

1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, after consultations and statements of support for such

a day were made by various Aboriginal groups. ° In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now theAssembly of

First Nations) called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day. ° In 1995, the Royal Commission on

Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day. ° The Sacred Assembly, a

national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday

to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples, also in 1995. WHEREAS the Constitution of Canada

recognizes the existing rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada; WHEREAS in the Constitution of Canada

"Aboriginal peoples of Canada" include the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada; WHEREAS the Aboriginal

peoples of Canada have made and continue to make valuable contributions to Canadian society and it is

considered appropriate that there be, in each year, a day to mark and celebrate these contributions and to

recognize the different cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada; AND WHEREAS many Aboriginal peoples

celebrate the summer solstice, which has an important symbolism within their cultures; THEREFORE, His

Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern

Development, hereby directs that a proclamation do issue declaring June 21 of each year as "National Aboriginal

Day". FULL TEXT June 21st is National Aboriginal Day (NAD), a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage,

diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian

Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples.

Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural

practices and spiritual beliefs.

In co-operation with Aboriginal organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21st, the summer solstice,

for National Aboriginal Day. For generations, many Aboriginal peoples and communities have celebrated their

culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the

year.

What led to the creation of NAD?

NAD was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, after consultations and

statements of support for such a day were made by various Aboriginal groups.

°In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now theAssembly of First Nations) called for the creation of National

Aboriginal Solidarity Day.

°In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples

Day.

°The Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper,

called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples, also in 1995.

How does the Government of Canada support NAD?

NAD is part of the Celebrate Canadaprogram, which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian

Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and Canada Day (July 1).

While all Government of Canada departments support NAD, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

(AANDC) and Canadian Heritage work together to promote it. AANDC provides resources and ideas for events,

while Canadian Heritage provides funding opportunities for community celebratory events.

Governor General's Proclamation

National Aboriginal Day was recognized in 1996 by then Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, through a

proclamation.

National Aboriginal Day

A Proclamation

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and

Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

WHEREAS the Constitution of Canada recognizes the existing rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada;

WHEREAS in the Constitution of Canada "Aboriginal peoples of Canada" include the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples

of Canada;

WHEREAS the Aboriginal peoples of Canada have made and continue to make valuable contributions to Canadian

society and it is considered appropriate that there be, in each year, a day to mark and celebrate these contributions

and to recognize the different cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada;

AND WHEREAS many Aboriginal peoples celebrate the summer solstice, which has an important symbolism within

their cultures;

THEREFORE, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Indian

Affairs and Northern Development, hereby directs that a proclamation do issue declaring June 21 of each year as

"National Aboriginal Day".

OF ALL OF WHICH Our Loving Subjects and all others whom these Presents may concern are hereby required to

take notice and to govern themselves accordingly.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to

be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS: Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Roméo A. LeBlanc, a Member of Our Privy Council for Canada,

Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military

Merit, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this thirteenth day of June in the year of Our Lord one

thousand nine hundred and ninety-six and in the forty-fifth year of Our Reign.

Illustration

A drum group performs at last year's Aboriginal Day festiviites at Kinsmen Park. Herald file photo DETAILS

Subject: Native education; Governor General-Canada; Governors; Summer solstice; Native

North Americans; Cultural heritage; Inuit

Location: Canada United Kingdom–UK

Company / organization: Name: Inuit Tribe; NAICS: 921150

Publication title: Prince Albert Daily Herald; Prince Albert, Sask.

Database copyright  2019 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions Contact ProQuest

First page: B5

Publication year: 2015

Publication date: Jun 20, 2015

Publisher: FolioJumpline Publishing, Inc.

Place of publication: Prince Albert, Sask.

Country of publication: Canada, Prince Albert, Sask.

Publication subject: General Interest Periodicals–Canada

ISSN: 08395381

Source type: Newspapers

Language of publication: English

Document type: News

ProQuest document ID: 1999967372

Document URL: http://nclive.org/cgi-

bin/nclsm?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1999967372?accountid=10669

Copyright: Copyright CEDROM-SNi INC. Jun 20, 2015

Last updated: 2018-02-10

Database: ProQuest Central