News from around the Nations

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY IS JUNE 21ST

June 21st is National Aboriginal Day, a day for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and their contributions to Canada. Even before the Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21st as National Aboriginal Day, there was a long-standing desire to set aside a national day to recognize and celebrate Aboriginal peoples and cultures. Here is a brief history of the origins of National Aboriginal Day:

1982

National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) calls for the creation of June 21st as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.

1995

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommends the designation of a National First Peoples Day.

The Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper, calls for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples.

1996

June 13 – Former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc declares June 21st as National Aboriginal Day after consultations with various Aboriginal groups.

June 21 – National Aboriginal Day is first celebrated with events from coast to coast to coast.

2006

Canadians from all walks of life participated in the many events that took place from coast to coast to coast highlighting the 10th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day.

Today National Aboriginal Day is part of the annual nationwide Celebrate Canada! festivities held from June 21st to July 1st. They begin with National Aboriginal Day, are followed by Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day. June 21st was chosen because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice (first day of summer and longest day of the year) and because many Aboriginal groups mark this day as a time to celebrate their heritage. National Aboriginal Day events are held in every region across the country. 

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY EVENT

Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival

When & where: June 21-23, Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa, Ont.

What: The Main Stage features Murray Porter, Andy Mason Band, Holly McNarland, Lucie Idlout, Joanne Shenandoah plus Aboriginal Canada We’ve Got Talent! and cultural showcases and interactive programming for the whole family.

Information: http://www.nadottawa.ca

FIRST NATIONS OF CANADA AND AMERICAN TRIBES COME TOGETHER IN HISTORIC JOINT EFFORT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

June 13, 2013 - Ottawa (ON) – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is proud to support a Nation to Nation collaboration between New Brunswick/PEI First Nations and Maine Tribes on climate change as participants in the North American Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Network international meeting in Bangor, Maine.

First Nations are more directly and immediately affected by environmental change because many live closer to the land.  Recognizing the negative health and lifestyle impacts of climate change on First Nations and acting swiftly to ameliorate them will serve the interests of all peoples.

The purpose of the North American Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Network meeting this week is to explore the effects of climate change on both sides of the border and to share innovative approaches to climate change. The AFN strongly supports the efforts of First Nations, Tribes and other Indigenous Peoples in taking the lead on global environmental problems.

This unique collaboration is made possible by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, which supports cooperation on environmental issues of common concern from partners in the United States, Canada and Mexico. A second meeting will be held on July 9th, 2013 in Woodstock First Nation, New Brunswick.

HUD ANNOUNCES $563 MILLION TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING

IN HUNDREDS OF NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKAN COMMUNITIES

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $563 million to 353 American Indian and Alaskan Native entities that represent 539 tribes across the U.S.  Provided through HUD’s Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program, these funds are distributed annually to eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entities for a broad range of affordable housing activities.

  IHBG funds primarily benefit hardworking families, living on reservations or in other Native American communities, who don’t have the financial resources to maintain good homes, schools, or other key contributors to economic security.  The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the tribe or designated entity.

 Indian communities can use the funding for a variety of housing activities, including building affordable housing; providing assistance to existing housing that was developed under the Indian Housing Program authorized by the U.S. Housing Act of 1937; or other activities that create new approaches to provide more affordable housing for Native Americans. The funding is also used to offer housing services to eligible families and individuals; and establish crime prevention and safety measures.  The block grant approach to housing was established by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA).