Statements by the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission National Executive on National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2017 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email Statements by the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission on National Indigenous Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) “National Aboriginal Day should be viewed as a day to not only celebrate Indigenous peoples, cultures and history but also to remember the events and interactions between Canadians and Indigenous peoples since contact,’ IPC Co-Chair (Male) Chad Cowie expressed. “It is a day to also see as a reminder that Aboriginal and Indigenous are general terms that actually reflect over 50 specific nations and confederations, including Haida, Salish, Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, Cree, Anishinaabe, Dene, Gitxsan Haudenosaunee, Métis, Inuit, Innu, Wendat, and Wabanaki – a day to remember that reconciliation and nation-to-nation relations continue to be fought for alongside recognition and understanding.” Chadwick (Chad) Cowie National Co-Chair Male, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission “Indigenous peoples in Canada have survived over 150years of colonization and assimilation through acts of resistance and reclamation. In the spirit of reconciliation, National Aboriginal Day is our opportunity, as a country, to reflect on our shared history, but also to recognize the significant contributions of indigenous peoples to the rich diversity of Canada. National Aboriginal Day is marked with events across the country and serves as an open invitation for all Canadians to gather and celebrate the strength and resiliency of the indigenous peoples.” Lisa Abbott National Co-Chair Female, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission National Aboriginal Day is always a welcome opportunity to honour the incredible contributions and achievements of Indigenous Canadians. This is a day of celebration, and a chance for Canadians to honour the heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the hardships that Indigenous Peoples have faced throughout our history, and to celebrate their resilience and resistance. I hope that this year`s National Aboriginal Day celebrations serve as a way to bring about more understanding of Indigenous peoples, and their incredible history and successes.” Thank you! Don Rusnak Chair, Indigenous Liberal Caucus / MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River, ON “National Aboriginal Day is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the unique culture, heritage and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples that have shaped this great nation. I am very proud of the momentum that is evident coast to coast to coast as Canadians join together on this important journey of reconciliation. As Gord Downie said, ‘we have 150 years behind us to learn from and 150 years ahead of us and we’d better just get to work.’ ” Hon. Carolyn Bennett MP for St. Pauls, ON Contact the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission: