From David Spencer, The Aboriginal and Environmental Education Circle (AEE Circle) e-newsletter:
National Aboriginal Day
On June 21st, Canadians from all walks of life are invited to participate in the many National Aboriginal Day events that will be taking place from coast to coast to coast.
Proclaimed in 1996
June 21 was first proclaimed in 1996 as an annual occasion to recognize the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions to Canada of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Collectively these groups make up the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.
The date was selected for several reasons, including the fact that it coincides with the summer solstice.
In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on June 21. In 1995, a similar recommendation was made by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. It called for a National First Peoples Day to be designated.
Also in 1995, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, known as The Sacred Assembly, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal Peoples to Canada. The first National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed by the Governor General the following year.
June 21st kick starts the 11 days of Celebrate Canada! which includes National Aboriginal Day (June 21), Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and concludes with Canada Day (July 1)!
Frequently Asked Questions About National Aboriginal Day
http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013707/1100100013708
Brief history leading up to the creation of National Aboriginal Day
http://www.avrsb.ca/content/june-21st-national-aboriginal-day
Flikr feed for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aandcanada
Youtube feed for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
http://www.youtube.com/aandcanada
N E W S about National Aboriginal Day
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Follow the Twitter hashtag #AboriginalDay
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AboriginalDay
Twitter feed from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
https://twitter.com/AANDC_AADNC
News feed from Google on National Aboriginal Day
http://goo.gl/b7bhK
R E S O U R C E S
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Toronto District School Board resources for National Aboriginal Day
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?pageid=19146
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board resources for National Aboriginal Day
http://www.kprschools.ca/Staff/ED-Cal-June21.html
Canada boasts a number of aboriginal people who have risen to national or international fame, including:
Singers Buffy Sainte Marie and Robbie Robertson
Academy Award-nominated actor Graham Greene.
Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller.
Theresa Spence, chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation.
Actor Adam Beach (of CBC’s Arctic Air TV series).
Justice Murray Sinclair, who headed up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Writer Tomson Highway
Tom Longboat
Graham Green
Robbie Robinson
More Aboriginal Canadian personalities
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboriginal_Canadian_personalities
Images for National Aboriginal Day
http://goo.gl/HZwUo
E V E N T S
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National Aboriginal Day Events in Ontario
http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013322/1100100013323#on
National Aboriginal Day Events in Toronto
http://goo.gl/sKRzb
National Aboriginal Day Events in Ottawa- Summer Solstice 2013
http://nadottawa.wordpress.com/
National Aboriginal Day Thunder Bay
http://www.nationalaboriginaldaythunderbay.ca/
Watch Aboriginal Day celebrations on APTN:Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
Watch Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration on APTN:Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
LIVE concert begins Saturday June 22, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. CT which is 8:30 p.m. ET
Last year’s event at The Forks in Winnipeg saw over 35,000 visitors.
Lots of Aboriginal musicians and singers including Crystal Shawanda, A Tribe Called Red, Dallas Arcand, George Leach, Kathia Rock, Sagkeeng’s Finest, War Party and Tanya Tagaq.
http://aptn.ca/pages/aboriginalday/
Every year, APTN organizes a second event in another Canadian city. This year, APTN is excited to host Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration in Iqaluit at the Arctic Winter Games Arena.
Saturday, June 22, 2013 Concert at 8:30PM
The concert, which will be broadcast live on APTN, starts at 8:30pm and is hosted by comedian Don Kelly, from APTN’s Fish Out of Water, and co-hosted by the multi-talented Madeleine Allakariallak. We have performances by Artcirq, Leela Gilday, Nelson Tagoona, Saali, Saina Singer, Sinuupa and the iconic Susan Aglukark.
http://www.aboriginaldaylive.com/iqaluit/iqaluit-artists/
See the event livestreamed
http://www.aboriginaldaylive.com/webstage-pass/
