Saturday June 21, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Statements have been issued throughout the day.
National Indigenous Peoples Day has been recognized each year since June 21, 2017. That followed the recognition of National Aboriginal Day on June 21 since 1996 (following the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommendation of the designation of a National First Peoples Day).
Prime Minister Mark Carney – “The government will work in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples – advancing shared priorities such as health care, food security, housing, education, economic prosperity, conservation, climate action, and emergency management to build a better future. Indigenous partnership is a critical component of the One Canadian Economy Act, and shared leadership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis will be pivotal to the success of building major projects in Canada. | See full message .
Minister of Canadian Identity, Culture & Official Languages Steven Guilbeault – On #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay, we honour the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples—stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial. There’s no path to climate action or nature protection without Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and partnership.
BC Premier David Eby – “National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to honour this strength, bravery and resilience. It is an invitation to learn more about the past, present and future of Indigenous Peoples. And it is a call to action to stand up against Indigenous-specific racism, including residential school denialism. We all have a role to play. Our government is committed to working toward a future rooted in reconciliation, respect and the recognition of Indigenous rights.” | See full message.
BC Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Christine Boyle – “On this #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay, we honour the many ways in which the leadership of #Indigenous Peoples continue to shape #BC for the better.” | See full message.
BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt – “This is a time to reflect and an opportunity to listen, learn from and engage with Indigenous cultures throughout BC.”
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May – “On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the inalienable rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. I will keep fighting every day for the principles of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.”
Genome BC – Today on #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay, we honour the histories, cultures & knowledge systems of First Nations, Inuit & Métis Peoples. Let’s listen, learn & celebrate the enduring ways of knowing that shape our world.
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NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-NATIONAL | INDIGENOUS ISSUES