National Aboriginal Day

June 21 is National Aboriginal Day in Canada.

National Aboriginal Day was first proclaimed by the Governor General of Canada in 1996. Every year it gives Ontarians a unique opportunity to participate in Aboriginal cultural events and learn about the rich heritage of Aboriginal peoples in Ontario and across the country.

Throughout the month of June, you will find numerous events and activities that highlight the rich and unique cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit, including traditional drumming and dancing ceremonies, fiddle performances, and arts and crafts shows.

The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs does not support these events and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on this page. If you have questions about these events, please contact the organizer. External Links Disclaimer

Sunrise Ceremony and Flag Raising
June 21, 5:30 a.m.
City Hall Podium roof
100 Queen Street West, Toronto

National Aboriginal Day and Summer Solstice
June 21
Chiefswood Park, Ohsweken

Thunder Bay National Aboriginal Day
June 21

Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow
June 23, Grand Entry, noon
Wells Hill Park (east of Bathurst and St. Clair), Toronto

Aboriginal Day 2012 – 4 km Run/Walk
June 23, 10 a.m.
Humber River, Toronto

First Peoples Cinema: 1500 Nations, One Tradition
Starting June 21,
Bell Lightbox

Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival
June 21-24
Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
June 23-24
Aboriginal Festival Weekend
Midland, Ontario

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
June 30, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Celebrates Aboriginal History Month
Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto

Toronto Zoo
June (date TBC)
Toronto Zoo celebrates National Aboriginal Day

Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre
June 21, 2012, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Market Square
Brock and King Street, Kingston

Education Day
June 21, 2012, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Rotunda Gallery, Kitchener City Hall
200 King Street West, Kitchener

Powwow Weekend
June 23 & June 24, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Roos Island, Victoria Park, Kitchener

Igniting the Spirit Gala 2012
June 21, 2012, 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Hampton Inn, 200 Coventry Road, Ottawa

A Gathering: Peel’s Aboriginal Celebration
June 23, 2012, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
9050 Bramalea Rd., Chinguacousy Park, Brampton

Aamjiwnaang First Nation 51st Annual Competition Powwow
June 23 - 24, 2012
1972 Virgil Avenue, Bear Park, Sarnia

Aboriginal Art Show
June 23, 2012, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Whetung Ojibwa Centre, Buckhorn

Arts and Crafts Fair
June 12, 2012, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Nathan Phillips Square
100 Queen St. West, Toronto

Art Show
June 18 – 23, 2012
City Hall Rotunda
100 Queen St. West, Toronto

First Nations' dancing, drumming and sunset ceremony
June 21, 2012, 6 p.m. - Sunset
Fort York National Historic Site
250 Fort York Blvd., Toronto

Casino Rama National Aboriginal Day Celebration
June 21, 2012, all-day
Casino Rama

“Aboriginals Got Talent”
June 20, 2012
N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre
Memorial Park, Sudbury

National Aboriginal Day @ Bell Park, Sudbury
June 21, 2012, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bell Park, Sudbury

Follow the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs on Twitter [@ONAboriginal] to learn more about Aboriginal culture in Ontario.

Looking to bring Aboriginal perspectives into your classroom this June? Check out Ontario’s elementary and secondary teacher’s toolkits

Visit our Kids Space to learn about Aboriginal languages, traditional stories and more!

National Aboriginal Day

Events

Resources