Hello everyone, and Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Today we celebrate the unique heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

On this day, and throughout National Indigenous History Month, we recognize the important contributions Indigenous peoples have made and continue to make to our country.

And while we can’t be together this year, we still can – and should – take the time to learn about, honour and celebrate the history, traditions, languages, and cultures of Indigenous peoples. 

Tragic events over the last number of weeks have shone a light on how far we still have to go as a country on our shared journey of reconciliation, and the work we still need to do to eliminate systemic racism from all of our institutions.

We know we need to do better. We know we need to do more.

We’ve been working in partnership with Indigenous peoples to build a renewed relationship, and we know there’s much more work to do.

We’re working to close gaps in housing, health, and education for Indigenous communities.

And we’ve taken important steps to help protect, preserve, and revitalize Indigenous languages.

We’re also working in partnership to reform child and family services, so Indigenous peoples can decide what is best for their children, families, and communities.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have laid out a path forward for all Canadians on our shared journey of reconciliation.

And we’re working to address the important issues identified in the Calls to Action and the Calls for Justice.

There is unfairness and discrimination in our systems – that’s how they were built.

But we’re committed to listening, to learning, to understanding, and to fixing this situation.

Together, in partnership with Indigenous peoples, we will continue to advance reconciliation and right past wrongs.

On this day, and every other day, let’s acknowledge, learn from, and celebrate how First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have shaped our past and will continue to shape our future.

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!