Today was an exciting day in Yukon’s Legislative Assembly as the Liberal Caucus passed its first law, the National Aboriginal Day Act, creating an annual statutory holiday on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st, beginning in 2017.
The Yukon government now joins the Northwest Territories in leading Canada on this meaningful celebration of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Honouring First Nation knowledge, language and culture is central to a modern Yukon, and the Liberal Caucus is proud to take this step together as a territory.
National Aboriginal Day activities will offer an excellent opportunity to celebrate the First Nation heritage and culture that make Yukon the unique place that it is.
The bill to create a statutory holiday on National Aboriginal Day was brought to the House by the Minister of Community Services, John Streicker, and was unanimously supported by all members of the Legislative Assembly.
This new statutory holiday fulfills a commitment made to Yukoners. Our Liberal Caucus committed to strong, effective and transparent government-to-government relationships with Yukon First Nations, and to date much work has been accomplished on these grounds. We know the way forward is together.
This new holiday gives Yukoners and visitors alike an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contribution of Indigenous peoples to the fabric of Canada.
Learn more about the National Aboriginal Day Act here: https://goo.gl/aL4iyX.
