National Aboriginal Day – June 21

In 2008, National Aboriginal Day follows an apology from the government of Canada on the issue of Indian Residential Schools. It also follows a seven-point program from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) aimed at improving relations between First Nations and the federal government.

Commenting on the government’s apology over residential schools, AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine said “The apology acknowledged that it was wrong to attack our culture, our faith, our identity and our autonomy as peoples. It acknowledged that these attacks were done in the most egregious manner, by depriving generations of children of the love and support of their parents, their culture, and their identity. This apology can, I believe, be viewed as a sincere attempt to heal past wounds.”

The AFN is pressing ahead with an initiative to improve relations between First Nations and the Canadian government through a seven point program that calls, among other points, for a scrapping of the Indian Act and the implementation of recommendations of the Auditor General of Canada on accountability.

Canadians across the country can join in Aboriginal Day events. Information about activities in your region is available here.