Work with all levels of government to ensure that National Indigenous Peoples’ Day is recognized as an official and statutory holiday.

City of St. John’s: Renamed former “Discovery Day” to “National Indigenous Peoples Day (observed)”

The City of St. John’s has renamed the “June holiday” to “National Indigenous Peoples Day (observed)”. The date of this holiday remains on the Monday nearest to June 24, a date previously called “Discovery Day”. The former name of the holiday was intended to commemorate the date on which John Cabot was believed to have “discovered” the island which was already inhabited by Indigenous people including the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq. The provincial government removed the problematic name “Discovery Day” in 2020 stating, “Until consultations with the Indigenous governments and organizations are concluded, going forward the June 24 holiday will be temporarily recognized as the June Holiday.” 

In addition, First Light’s 2024 celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) was held at Bannerman Park for the first time. This setting increased the public engagement with the event and the total attendance throughout the day. 

Provincial and Federal Governments: Little progress

To date, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has not yet recognized National Indigenous Peoples Day nor moved the date of the holiday to align with NIPD. Provincial inaction means that municipal governments and other organizations face legislated barriers in fully aligning the newly renamed holiday with June 21.

The Government of Canada has likewise not recognized June 21 as an official statutory holiday.

For the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Pass appropriate legislation in the House of Assembly to replace the June Holiday with National Indigenous Peoples Day. In order to align fully with NIPD, the official statutory holiday would therefore fall on June 21 rather than the Monday nearest June 24.

For municipalities across the province:

• Follow the example set by the City of St. John’s by officially renaming the June Holiday to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day in their own jurisdictions.

For labour unions

• Ensure that National Indigenous Peoples Day is recognized in place of the June Holiday in all collective agreements moving forward.