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National Aboriginal Solidarity Day—June 21, 2007
National Aboriginal Solidarity Day (June 21st) is a day to celebrate and recognize the important contributions made to Canada by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
“These contributions include art, language, and reverence for land, Aboriginal epistemology and spirituality.” Quebec was the first province to recognize this important day of festivities in 1990.* “However, it took the Federal government 14 years (from 1982-1996) to officially proclaim June 21st National Aboriginal day.” June 21st is traditionally significant. “It is the summer solstice (the longest day of the year) and a day that was celebrated by many Aboriginal people through various ceremonies and celebrations.” Brief History:
1982: National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) calls for the creation of June 21 as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day;
1990: Quebec legislature recognizes June 21 as a day to celebrate Aboriginal culture;
1995: Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommends the designation of a National First Peoples Day. The Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper, calls for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples;
1996: Former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, declares June 21 as National Aboriginal Day after consultations with various Aboriginal groups; the first National Aboriginal Day is celebrated with events from coast to coast to coast. *
Some facts:
- Aboriginal women in Canada are the only women who have a specific set of laws (The Indian Act) that dictates how they must live and that takes away rights that other women in Canada have achieved. (Example: Matrimonial Real Property Rights.)
- Approximately 80% of Aboriginal women in Ontario have experienced violence and are the most likely to die in Canada as a result of violence.
- More than 500 Aboriginal women are murdered or missing in Canada. The Stolen Sisters Campaign of Amnesty International—inspired by the Sisters in Spirit campaign of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)—has determined that “there is no excuse for government inaction” on these violations of Aboriginal women.
- Aboriginal women sex trade workers, often forced into prostitution as a result of colonialism, historic racism and poverty, are at higher risk of violence.
- Aboriginal women in Canada have the lowest average earnings of any group.
- Canada continues to be censured by the United Nations for its lack of action on violations of the rights of Aboriginal people in Canada and specifically on its lack of action on the poverty and violence experienced by Aboriginal women.
How you can act in solidarity with Aboriginal women:
- Learn about the work that Aboriginal women are doing around Ontario to advocate within and on behalf of their communities, and for an end to violence against Aboriginal women and children. You can start at the websites below and contact Aboriginal agencies and groups in your local community.
- Provide information to others around you—in your workplace, school, or any other community space where you can.
- Challenge social, economic and political structures that continue to support systemic racism, colonialism and oppression of Aboriginal people.
- Challenge yourself to look at the privilege you have gained as a result of colonization and oppression of Aboriginal people in Canada.
- Contact the political Parties running in the Ontario election and ask them what they will do to end the impacts of colonialism and to end poverty and violence against Aboriginal women and their children. You can contact the Parties with an E-card available on the Step it Up! website at www.stepitupontario.ca or you can write, phone or visit your local Party candidates offices.
- Support the National Day of Action sponsored by the Assembly of First Nations on June 29th.
Here are some websites for more information:
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Minwaashin Lodge (Ottawa) The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) Stolen Sisters (Amnesty International) The Métis National Council of Women (MNCW) Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada The National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (NACFV) Assembly of First Nations (AFN) |
