Explore this non-exhaustive list to learn more about days of significance among Indigenous communities and the Office of Indigenous Relations
For a more comprehensive list of significant dates, view the centralized campus resource on religious, cultural, and spiritual days of observance.
As you review this list, if you know of other Indigenous days of significance, please contact us by email indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca
Annual Indigenous Days of Significance
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2024
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Jan
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National Ribbon Skirt Day - January 4
National Ribbon Skirt Day is held every January 4. This day originates with the story of Isabella Kulak, a member of Cote First Nation, who was shamed for wearing her handmade ribbon skirt to a formal wear day at her elementary school. Traditionally worn by First Nations and Métis peoples, ribbon skirts are a meaningful symbol of identity, resilience, and survival for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people, and represents a direct connection to Mother Earth. Isabella’s story shines a light on the enduring injustices, racism, and discrimination faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada every day, and on the importance of the role we all have to play in reconciliation.
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Indigenous Relations Anniversary - January 13
Jean Becker joined the University of Waterloo on January 13, 2020, as Senior Director, Indigenous Initiatives reporting to the President, and Associate Vice-President, Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion. This date marks the establishment of the Office of Indigenous Relations at Waterloo.
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Feb
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Have a Heart Day - February 14
Have a Heart Day is part of the larger movement run by the First Nations Child and family services of Canada. Ever since its inception in 1998, the organization has worked to bring awareness to the discrimination faced by Aboriginal children. It also connects the families of victims with resources and support. The essence of the day is based on reconciliation and individual action. The central effort is to build a bridge between communities, as we address the hardships faced by Aboriginal families.
Learn more about Have a Heart Day
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International Mother Language Day - February 21
International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21st to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The UN General Assembly then welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.
Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet. Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat or disappearing altogether. When languages fade, so does the world's rich tapestry of cultural diversity. International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind.
International Mother Language Day is a non-statutory holiday.
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Mar
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Two-Spirit Celebration & Awareness Day - March 19
Vancouver’s Two-Spirit community is calling for the national recognition of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day.
Lane Bonertz, Two-Spirit program lead at the Community Based Research Centre, says the movement means a lot to Two-Spirit people.
March 19 has been proclaimed Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day by the Government of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver.
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World Water Day - March 22
World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of fresh water.
Learn more about World Water Day
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National Indigenous Languages day - March 31
National Indigenous Languages Day is March 31, and it is a day to celebrate and honour Indigenous languages in Canada. The decade from 2022 to 2032 is also the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to promote the use of Indigenous languages world-wide.
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May
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National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+) - May 5
May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+). This day is also known as Red Dress Day with respect to Jaime Black’s REDress art installation which helped inspire the red dress movement. On May 5th, many people across North America hang red dresses in private and public spaces to remember those who are missing and murdered.
National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ is a non-statutory holiday.
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Moose Hide Campaign Day - May 16
Moose Hide Campaign Day is a day of ceremony where all Canadians are called to join together to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to take practical steps for our collective journey of reconciliation.
Learn more about Moose Hide Campaign Day.
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Jun
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National Indigenous History Month
In 2009, June was declared National Indigenous History Month in Canada. During this month, we celebrate and honour the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada. This month is also a time for all Canadians to learn about, appreciate and acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples of Canada’s immense contributions, both past and present.
2021 was the first year that the University of Waterloo officially participated in National Indigenous History Month. Throughout this month, the Indigenous Initiatives Office organizes events, activities and resources to assist members of the Waterloo community in their learning journeys and in taking action to ensure we are all advancing the Calls to Action within our own spaces
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Summer Solstice - June 20
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National Indigenous People's Day - June 21
On June 21st, we pay special attention to National Indigenous People’s Day, a day for all Canadians to honour and celebrate the legacy, diverse cultures and exceptional contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, it is important to acknowledge that they each have their own unique heritage, language, cultural traditions, and spiritual beliefs. National Indigenous Peoples Day was formerly known as National Aboriginal Day when it was established in 1996 through a proclamation signed by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc.
In collaboration with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21st, the summer solstice, for National Indigenous Peoples Day in recognition of its cultural, historical, and spiritual significance.
While this day is recognized as a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, it is not yet a statutory holiday in the rest of Canada.
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Jul
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Huron Tract Treaty of 1827 Anniversary – July 10
Treaty 29, or the Huron Tract Purchase, was signed on July 10th, 1827, by representatives of the Crown and certain Anishinaabe peoples. The territory described in the written treaty covers approximately 2,200,000 acres. Treaties often reference natural features of the landscape to mark boundaries. This treaty uses the intersection of the St. Clair River and “a hickory tree marked with a broad arrow on two sides” to mark part of its boundary. Current communities in the area include Sarnia and Stratford.
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Aug
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International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – August 9
August 9th is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This day is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982. Indigenous Peoples are holders of a vast diversity of unique cultures, traditions, languages, and knowledge systems. There are over 476 million Indigenous Peoples living in 90 countries across the world, accounting for 6.2% of the global population.
More than 70 per cent of the world’s population is living in countries with rising income and wealth inequality, including Indigenous Peoples who already face high rates of poverty and acute socio-economic disadvantages. High levels of inequality are generally associated with institutional instability, corruption, financial crises, increased crime and lack of access to justice, education and health services. For Indigenous Peoples, poverty and gross inequities tend to generate intense social tensions and conflicts.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a non-statutory holiday.
Learn more about International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
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Sep
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Powley Day (Ontario) – September 19
On September 19th, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and Métis communities across the country mark Powley Day to remember the recognition of Métis rights in the R. v. Powley case. While other Métis rights cases had been fought in the courts before, Powley was the first to be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. In a unanimous decision on September 19th, 2003, the Supreme Court finally affirmed what the Métis people have been saying for over twenty years – section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, is a substantive promise to the Métis which recognizes their distinct existence and protects their existing Aboriginal rights.
Powley Day is a non-statutory holiday.
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Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) Pow Wow – Last Saturday in September
Every year in the fall, the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre hosts a Pow Wow.
“A Pow Wow is a coming together of the first peoples to celebrate and honour our traditional teachings. We celebrate drumming, dancing and other elements of Indigenous culture, and we invite everyone to join us. Craft and food vendors are on-site, and we often have different stations where visitors can go to learn about different aspects of Indigenous culture.”
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30
As of June 2021, September 30th is now officially recognized as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This day is a federal statutory holiday, which allows employees in the federal public service to observe and participate in this important day. This holiday also addresses one of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: “We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a day on which people create awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools and promote the concept of Every Child Matters.
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Orange Shirt Day (National) - September 30
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day, a day that recognizes the harm Canada’s residential school system inflicted on Indigenous children and their families, and the ongoing trauma that remains today. It is a day to remember and honour the life of every child. The goal of Orange Shirt Day is to create awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Day activities, and to promote the concept of Every Child Matters.
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s experience at the St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in the 1970s. The “orange shirt” in Orange Shirt Day refers to the new shirt that was given to Webstad by her grandmother for her first day of school. When Phyllis got to school, they took away her clothes, including her new shirt. It was never returned. To Phyllis, the colour orange has always reminded her of her experiences at residential school and, as she has said, “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”
As of June 2021, Orange Shirt Day now coincides with National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which is a federal statutory holiday.
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Oct
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National Day of Action for MMIWG2S - October 4
October 4th marks the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit and gender diverse people.
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National Indigenous Peoples Day (United States) - Second Monday in October
National Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States has risen to prominence as a replacement for Columbus Day. This day recognizes the native populations that were displaced and decimated after Christopher Columbus and other European explorers reached the continent.
As of 2020, 14 states— Alabama, Alaska, Hawai'i, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin—and the District of Columbia, more than 130 cities, and growing numbers of school districts celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of or in addition to Columbus Day.
Technically, Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means it is recognized by the US government and thus brings the closure of non-essential government offices, and, usually, places like post offices and banks. However, states and local governments can choose not to observe a federal holiday. And, as is the case with a growing number of places, they can change the name and intent of the October holiday altogether
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Haldimand Treaty of 1784 Anniversary – October 25
On October 25, 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand, the governor of Quebec, signed a decree that granted a tract of land to the Haudenosaunee, also known as the Six Nations Confederacy, in compensation for their alliance with British forces during the American Revolution. The Haldimand Tract is a strip of land that runs the length (and 10km on each side) of the Grand River from Lake Erie to its source, including lands in the Kitchener/Waterloo region.
The Haldimand Tract is central to ongoing land claims struggles. Throughout the late 1700s and 1800s, the Crown and Haudenosaunee disputed rights to the land title. Originally, 950,000 acres were set aside for the Haldimand Tract; today approximately 48,000 acres remain. Negotiations about the title to the Haldimand Tract still continue between the Canadian government and the Six Nations Confederacy.
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Nov
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National Indigenous Disabilities Awareness Month - November
Indigenous peoples of Canada experience a disability rate significantly higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Monthbrings awareness of these barriers and the issues that Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and their families face every day. More importantly though, in spite of these barriers, IDAM celebrates the achievements of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and recognize the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities socially, economically, and culturally every day.
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Treaties Recognition Week (Ontario) – First Week of November
Increasing our knowledge on our collective treaty rights and obligations helps us nurture these important relationships. This is part of the Ontario government’s work to rebuild trust and relationships with Treaty partners and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. This includes educating Ontarians about the role Treaties play in our lives and relationships today. The Indigenous Education Office within The Ministry of Colleges and Universities supports post-secondary institutions in recognizing the importance this week.
2020 was the first year that the University of Waterloo officially participated in Treaties Recognition Week (November 2-6, 2020). To contribute to the broader goals of education, reflection, and action, the Indigenous Initiatives Office hosts a series of virtual events and videos throughout this important week.
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Inuit Day (International) – November 7
Inuit Day is a celebration set up to acknowledge and celebrate Inuit culture and contributions, but most importantly to affirm the voices of Inuit across the circumpolar world. At the 2006 Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) General Assembly in Barrow, Alaska, November 7th was proclaimed as Inuit Day to honour the birth date of ICC founder Eben Hopson. Hopson was one of the Arctic’s greatest leaders who called on Inuit from Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka to work together in order to defend Inuit Rights and to make certain no Inuit community is left behind as change and development increases in the Arctic.
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Indigenous Veterans Day (National) – November 8
Every year on November 8th, we honour Indigenous Veterans Day by paying tribute to the important contributions and sacrifices made by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in service to Canada. Even before Canada was a country, Indigenous Peoples have fought to defend our country and our values. Where there has been conflict, where peace, security and safety have been threatened, Indigenous Peoples from across Canada have answered the call. On this day and throughout Veterans’ Week, we thank the thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis who have served and are serving.
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Rock Your Mocs - November 10 - 16
Established 2011, Rock Your Mocs, is best described as a worldwide Native American & Indigenous Peoples virtual unity event held annually and during November National Native American Heritage Month in the U.S.A. During the Rock Your Mocs, people wear their moccasins, take a photo, create a video or story, add the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS and upload to social media. This creates “an online photo album” for the world to see and enjoy.
Learn more about the Rock Your Mocs worldwide social media event
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Louis Riel Day (Ontario) - November 16
Louis Riel Day is a non-statutory* holiday that occurs on November 16th across the Métis homelands. This date is 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 Métis rights and way of life. He was eventually put on trial where he was convicted of treason and executed. Although Louis Riel Day commemorates one of the greatest tragedies of Canadian history, it is also a day to celebrate Métis culture and the continuing progress that Métis people are making in fulfilling Riel’s dream of Métis taking their rightful place within Confederation.
*In Manitoba, Louis Riel Day is a provincial statutory holiday that occurs on the third Monday of February.
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Dec
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Winter Solstice - December 21
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Jan