Regional Chief calls for greater education and awareness of First Nations culture

Wednesday, June 21st, 2017 12:40pm
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day (File Photo)
Understanding, and becoming educated on our true shared history between Canadians and First Nations should be at the core of this National Aboriginal Day.

"National Aboriginal Day will now be called National Indigenous Peoples Day, which more properly reflects the fact that First Nations are Indigenous to these lands," said Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day about today’s commitment from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to change the name of the annual day of recognition.

Day is using the occasion to call for greater education and awareness by all Canadians on First Nations culture, Peoples and our true shared history in this age of reconciliation.

"Today, we remind all Canadians to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action to get a better sense of our current relationship."

This past week, Chiefs of Ontario held its annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference under the theme of "Determining Our Path: Stability for Future Generations." Day says understanding, and becoming educated on our true shared history between Canadians and First Nations should be at the core of this National Aboriginal Day.

"I am proud that all peoples living in Canada are coming together to celebrate the resiliency and strength of Indigenous peoples," said Day. "Coming together is in the spirit and intent of our Treaties. We welcomed Europeans to these lands and we made treaties in good faith to share the lands. Today is a day to remember that we are all Treaty partners."