National Aboriginal Day is June 21 - Join the Festivities!

Have you attended a National Aboriginal Day celebration?

National Aboriginal Day is on June 21 - a Sunday.

PSAC BC's REGIONAL Council Aboriginal Coordinators invite you to Join the Festivities!

There are three Aboriginal groups in Canada – the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. They each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. National Aboriginal Day gives us the opportunity to honour, celebrate and share knowledge about Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. National Aboriginal Day occurs on June 21, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For many centuries, many of the first inhabitants would celebrate the arrival of warm weather on this day. The National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for June 21 to be National Aboriginal Solidarity Day and Governor General Roméo LeBlanc proclaimed the first National Aboriginal Day in 1996.

There are many community events open to all - talk to your local union activists who are probably already participating in nearby festivities, see your local newspaper or Aboriginal Friendship Centre for events near you, or contact your PSAC Regional Office.

This is the one day of the year many, many people devote to Aboriginal heritage and culture. Come and join the fun! Eat, learn, play, be entertained, get involved! There are several cities that have large celebrations.

National Aboriginal Day, Sunday, June 21 (Vancouver)

• Location: Starting at 1607 Hastings (Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre) and moving to Trout Lake (3350 Victoria Drive)
• Please join your workers’ union sisters and brothers as we celebrate National Aboriginal Day on Coast Salish Territories. This is a full day of family-friendly community-based events that showcase and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal people from across Canada. First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples gather to share their spirit, experiences, stories, songs, art and dance with each other and the general community. All events are FREE, and everyone is welcome. The day begins with a pancake breakfast at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, followed by a friendship walk to Trout Lake, where the main festivities take place.
• Be sure to visit the PSAC table at Trout Lake and converse with our activists about Aboriginal, worker, family and public service issues and potential solutions. Bring your children to have their face or hand painted by our amazing artists. We will again have the beautiful and functional slap-fans/posters but be sure to get them early because they are in high demand.
• Find out more at bcnationalaboriginalday.com

Victoria Aboriginal Cultural Festival June 19, 2015 - June 21, 2015 (Victoria)

• Location: Royal BC Museum campus, 675 Belleville Street
• Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in celebrating National Aboriginal Day weekend with music, dance, food and the arts and best of all, it’s all FREE!
• The 2015 Aboriginal Cultural Festival is three days of spectacular performances on an outdoor stage in the plaza at the Royal BC Museum in the heart of downtown Victoria, BC. Each day starts with performances from the two local Host Nations and follows with shows from Aboriginal performers from across the province as well as a show from 3-time World Hoop Dancing Champion Alex Wells!
• More info at aboriginalbc.com

K’omoks National Aboriginal Day, Sunday, June 21 (Courtenay)

• Location: K’omox Band Office, 3330 Comox Road
• Join us as we Celebrate, National Aboriginal Day, June 21. For many years the people of the Comox Valley have come together to celebrate the vibrant cultures and diversity of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of Canada on National Aboriginal Day. This year join the K’omoks First Nation in partnership with the Kumugwe Cultural Society on June 21, from 11 am to 6 pm at 3320 Comox Road (the village site of the K’omoks First Nation).
• This year’s event will feature FREE special events for the whole family, including performances from local and visiting dance troupes, storytelling, a kids’ tent and play area, and Indigenous Fashion show. Browse the arts and crafts tents of Aboriginal artists and enjoy some excellent traditional cuisine – wild Sockeye salmon cooked over an open fire, buffalo burgers, candied salmon and fresh bannock with homemade berry jam.
• There is something for everyone. Learn more here.

Kootenays Aboriginal Day Festival, Saturday, June 20 (Windermere)

• Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band proudly present their Aboriginal Day Festival.  Join them and celebrate with their cross cultural event. Enjoy drum groups, dancers, vendors, demonstrations, and learn more about the culture.
• More info at aboriginalbc.com

National Aboriginal Day, Sunday, June 21, 2015 (Prince Rupert)

• info coming soon

National Aboriginal Day (Westbank)

• Art & Artefact Display June 3 – 25
• Film Screening of “Trick or Treaty?” June 17
• Okanagan Regional Library orl.bc.ca

National Aboriginal Day, Sunday June 12, 2015 (Langley)

• Free fun afternoon in the park! Vendors, food & childrens activities!
• 12PM to 3PM, Douglas Park, 2055 Douglas Crescent, Langley
• Presented by the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society

APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration (online)

• Start the fun early this year and check out APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration on Saturday, June 20. The 9th annual Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration is the largest event in Canada to recognize National Aboriginal Day. The highlight of the festivities this year will be evening concerts featuring a stacked roster of award-winning and up-and-coming Indigenous entertainment. The performers will be in Winnipeg and Edmonton, but the whole world can enjoy the celebration with the live telecast and webstream.