Background

Who is organizing Edmonton’s Indigenous Peoples Festival?

This free event is a collaborative effort by a planning committee of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre, Edmonton Catholic School District, Edmonton Public School Board and Homeward Trust with support from the City of Edmonton.  Other members may be added to the planning committee during the planning process.

The planning committee is coordinating all aspects of the festival while many community partners, including local Indigenous agencies, governments and representative organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous artists, musicians, and dancers play an important role in making this a rich and vibrant festival.

What is the history of this Edmonton-based event?

The planning committee was first formed to help plan the APTN Aboriginal Day Live! event on June 21, 2017.  Following the success of that event, the committee realized the importance of holding an annual Indigenous Peoples Festival event in Edmonton.  The joined efforts again to plan the festival annually, starting in 2018, launching the festival name – Edmonton’s Indigenous Peoples Festival – and an EIPF logo designed by a local youth.  APTN is not involved the Edmonton’s Indigenous Peoples Festival.

What is the history of National Indigenous Peoples Day?

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day – nationally recognized as a day to celebrate the rich, distinct and diverse heritage, culture and contributions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples to all regions of Canada.  As it was formerly known, National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed in 1996 by former Governor General Roméo A. LeBlanc. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the name would be changed to National Indigenous Peoples Day.

More information on this history of this day of celebration can be found HERE.