MP calls for National Aboriginal Day stat holiday

Jun 16, 2017 | 1:00 PM

A Saskatchewan MP has tabled a private member’s bill, calling for a statutory holiday on National Aboriginal Day.

June 21 was declared National Aboriginal Day in 1996. Now Georgina Jolibois, the NDP’s deputy critic of Indigenous Northern Affairs Canada, has tabled a bill she said is inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to honour Indigenous people’s contributions to Canada.

“This holiday will further ensure the public’s recognition of this history, legacy and the Treaty relationship which remains a vital component of the reconciliation process,” Joilibois said in a press release.

National Aboriginal Day is already a holiday in Yukon and the Territories – Jolibois said this is something her bill seeks to move federally.

“The month of June has been designated as a month to celebrate and to talk and to respect Indigenous languages and cultures [as] an Indigenous month,” Jolibois said. “[With] June 21 being the summer solstice, it makes a whole lot of sense to me and to a bunch of MP’s to take it further.”

She said talks about the possibility of a holiday on June 21 have been ongoing since the day was implemented 21 years ago. A petition has been in place, but she said there’s been no movement on it, leading her to file her private member’s bill. 

A release from the MP stated the call for recognition of National Aboriginal Day would be significant for Indigenous people as this year Canada is marking 150 years of existence.

“While everyone is celebrating Canada 150, few are recognizing the sad realities,” Jolibois said. “I have seen too much suffering in my riding in Northern Saskatchewan; suicides are frequent, women and girls continue to disappear and clean water is inaccessible in many communities.”

Jolibois said she will be marking National Aboriginal Day in the province of Saskatchewan this year by attending ceremonies at home.

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas