June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, an opportunity for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
For many generations, Indigenous communities celebrated their rich history and traditions on this day. In 1996, National Indigenous Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) was first proclaimed to be celebrated annually by former Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc.
Today, many Canadians will come together to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of Indigenous peoples. We are fortunate to have several events here in Halton celebrating Indigenous history. If you are attending a celebration in our community, you can use the hashtag #NIPDCanada on social media. To find more information about National Indigenous Peoples Day, visit the Government of Canada’s website (external link).
To recognize this day, Halton Region will raise the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation flag at Halton Regional Centre on June 21. By recognizing southern Ontario’s rich Indigenous history, we promote mutual understanding and respect, and celebrate their contributions to making Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.