- In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
- In 1995, the Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people chaired by Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples
- Also in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day[2]
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
It is our responsibility to make significant change within ourselves and continue to support our members by lobbing governments to review, rebuild or develop laws and policies to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples and for all Canadians. And to continue to ensure improvements and implementation of the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.[8][1] https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1534874583157 [2] https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/national-aboriginal-day#:~:text=In%201982%2C%20the%20National%20Indian,day%20to%20celebrate%20Indigenous%20culture. [4] https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1534874583157 [6] https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html [7] https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/06/legislation-to-implement-the-united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples-becomes-law.html [8] https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/index.html