National Aboriginal Day
| National Aboriginal Day
National Aboriginal Day or First Nations Day was created by people in the First Nations community in 1982. National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed in 1996 by former Governor General Romeo A. LeBlanc. The following is an excerpt of the text of the proclamation to make National Aboriginal Day an official day of celebration recognized by the Crown. WHEREAS the Constitution of Canada recognizes the existing rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada; WHEREAS in the constitution of Canada “Aboriginal peoples of Canada” include the Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada; WHEREAS the Aboriginal peoples of Canada have made and continue to make valuable contributions to Canadian society and it is considered appropriate that there be, in each year, a date to mark and celebrate these contributions and to recognize the different cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada; AND WHEREAS many Aboriginal peoples celebrate the summer solstice, which has an important symbolism within their cultures; THEREFORE, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, hereby directs that a proclamation do issue declaring June 21st of each year as “National Aboriginal Day.” National Aboriginal Day is an event that is growing in importance in Canada. June 21st, the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and marks the changing of seasons. It is seen by many peoples to be a day of great symbolism. Many schools will be acknowledging National Aboriginal Day and the Summer Solstice through activities that promote understanding and learning for all students. An Aboriginal Book List for Children/Suggestions de livres jeunesse sur les Autochtones. Ottawa: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 2000. ISBN 0662654862. Barber-Starkey, Joe. Jason’s New Dugout Canoe. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1550172298. Bruchac, Joseph. Crazy Horse’s Vision. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2002. ISBN 1880000946. ---. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN 0803724047. Erdrich, Louise. The Range Eternal. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2002. ISBN 0786802200. Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Potlatch: A Tsimshian Celebration. New York: Holiday House, 1997. ISBN 0823412903. Joe, Donna. Salmon Boy: A Legend of the Sechelt People. Gibson, BC: Nightwood Editions, 1999. ISBN 0889711666. Keeshig-Tobias, Lenore. Emma and the Trees/Emma minwaah mtigooh. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1998. ISBN 0920813119. King, Thomas. Coyote Sings to the Moon. Portland, OR: WestWinds Press, 2002. ISBN 1558686428. Kusugak, Michael. Arctic Stories. Toronto: Annick Press, 1998. ISBN 1550374532. Lassieur, Allison. The Inuit. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books, 2000. ISBN 0736804986. Love, Ann. The Kids Book of the Far North. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2000. ISBN 1550745638. McCue, Harvey. The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada: Ages 8–11. Ottawa: Ministry of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2000. ISBN 0662284488. ---. The Learning Circle: Classroom Activities on First Nations in Canada: Ages 12–14. Ottawa: Ministry of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2000. ISBN 0662284496. Munsch, Robert, and Michael Kusugak. A Promise Is a Promise. Toronto: Annick Press, 1992. ISBN 155037009X. National Aboriginal Day Is June 21 – Learning and Activity Guide: Share in the Celebration!. Ottawa: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 2001. ISBN 0662299914. Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Indian Shoes. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. ISBN 0060295317. ---. Jingle Dancer. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. ISBN 068816241X. St. John, Jetty. Native American Scientists. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 1996. ISBN 1560653590. Saboose, Jan Bourdeau. Morning on the Lake. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1997. ISBN 1550743732. ---. Sky Sisters. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2000. ISBN 1550746979. Wood, Ellen. Hundreds of Fish. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions, 2000. ISBN 1568461623. Websites
Library and Archives Canada www.collectionscanada.ca/index-e.html CANAB The Canadian Aboriginal Festival is an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal Peoples throughout Canada and has dedicated an entire day to Aboriginal Education. |