Image credit: CIRA

This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Held annually on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the cultures, traditions and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

The day was originally declared as National Aboriginal Day by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc in 1996, following years of consultation and calls for the creation of such a day by the Assembly of First Nations and other Indigenous groups. It was renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017. June 21 was chosen because it is the summer solstice, a day of spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous peoples.

Every year, Indigenous communities hold events to celebrate and share their diverse cultures. You can find a list of public gatherings in British Columbia at Indigenous Tourism BC.

Cultural connections, like those celebrated during the summer solstice, can promote the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth. For example, research suggests that strengthening these connections can help lower rates of suicide for Indigenous young people. For more information, see Vol. 17, No. 1 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.