First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada commemorated their heritages on June 21, which that country
marked as National Aboriginal Day. The day marks "a time for Inuit, Métis
and First Nations peoples to express their deep pride in their cultures and achievements,
past and present," said Canadian Minister for Indian and Northern Affairs
Andy Scott during the ninth annual celebration, according to a press release
posted on Aborinews.com. Former Canadian Governor General Romeo LeBlanc declared
the summer solstice to be National Aboriginal Day in 1996 because of the special
significance the summer solstice holds for many aboriginal peoples.
