For generations, many Indigenous communities have celebrated their culture on the summer solstice, June 21. National Indigenous Peoples Day supports this tradition.

On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner encourages people to listen, learn, show up, and engage with Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island.

It is the perfect day to start (or continue) a reconciliation journey, by furthering your knowledge of the true history of Indigenous people in Canada, their culture and continued contributions. The best way to do this is hearing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices.  Read a book, watch a film, or listen to music created by Indigenous people.

Since the last National Indigenous Peoples Day, the OTC has seen the continued and increasing interest from the public in engaging more fully in the Treaty relationship. The OTC speakers’ bureau works hard to keep up with the growing demand.

More and more organizations are going through the facilitated process with the OTC to use the Truth and Reconciliation through Treaty Implementation (TRTI) Growth Model to map efforts and create specific recommendations for action on reconciliation.

These success stories are magnified by more government, businesses, First Nations, and community groups making long-standing strategic relationships with the OTC, our Elders and knowledge keepers, and truly looking to learn and grow what they know. The OTC is pleased to be able to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities with the information they need.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to celebrate successes, embrace resilience, and commit to protecting Indigenous languages, cultures, and heritage in the years to come.