One of the biggest summer celebrations in the capital city of Yellowknife happens on June 21st – when the whole community gathers to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Here in the Northwest Territories, it’s a statutory holiday jam-packed with special festivities and community events. Back in 1982, what we now refer to as the Assembly of First Nations called for a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day; in 2001, the NWT became the first jurisdiction in Canada to make it a formal holiday.
June 21st also happens to be the summer solstice – the longest day of the year and the day that many Indigenous Peoples have traditionally celebrated their heritage, making for a truly memorable day of celebration in Yellowknife.
With so many festivities and events going on, it’s not hard to see why people recommend being in Yellowknife on June 21st to take part in cultural demonstrations and summer activities. Here is just a glimpse of what’s happening in the city.
