Indigenous Commemorative and Awareness Days

A day that provides an opportunity for everyone in Canada to recognize, learn about, and celebrate the importance of Indigenous traditions and expressions of culture. Ribbon skirts are traditionally worn in ceremonies and during special events by First Nations women and are representative of the person's identity, unique diversity, and strength.

A child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children can grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.

An international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.

A day to celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change. Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.

A day that honours and celebrates the contributions of Elders.

A week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination.

A day of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination. Observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

A day that honours Indigenous languages spoken by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

A grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who are standing up against violence towards women and children.

A day to honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and in solidarity with family members and loved ones. On this day, people across North America hang red dresses in private and public spaces as a visual display of commemoration and action.

A day to recognize and commit to implementing Jordan’s Principle, a legal rule ensuring First Nations children can access the services they need when they need them.

A time to recognize and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, their contributions, and their ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. It's a period of celebration, activism, and solidarity, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement.

A month to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

A day to mark the 1726 signing of Mascarene’s Treaty between the British and the Wolastoqey chiefs.

A day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.

A day to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's Indigenous population. This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that Indigenous peoples make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.

A day to recognize the impact and legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system. Originally and still colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day. The orange shirt symbolizes resiliency and a way to honour those impacted by residential schools.

The official month to recognize and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture and heritage.

A day to honour the foundational role of treaties in the relationship between the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Crown. Observed annually on October 1, the day reaffirms the enduring presence of the Mi’kmaq people, who have lived in the Atlantic region for thousands of years.

A day to bring awareness and honour the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit individuals.

A day that aims to create awareness about MMIWG2S+ in New Brunswick and across Canada.

A month to promote awareness of the barriers that are faced by Indigenous people living with disabilities, and to highlight the achievements and valuable contributions they make to our communities.

A holiday that was created to celebrate Inuit and amplify their voices. Also known as International Circumpolar Inuit Day.

A memorial day observed in Canada in recognition of Indigenous contributions to military service, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

The anniversary of Riel's execution in 1885. During that year, Riel led Métis people in the Northwest Resistance, which was a stand against the Government of Canada because it was encroaching on Metis rights and their way-of-life.

An opportunity to: increase awareness and knowledge about HIV and AIDS support, testing, treatment and adherence to antiretroviral medication and include information on how HIV is transmitted and how it is not; establish ongoing prevention and education programs in Indigenous communities; bring together community and key partners with Indigenous people living with or affected by HIV & AIDS; address common attitudes and misinformation that may interfere with prevention, care and treatment activities; and reduce HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination.

A day to commemorate the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.