JFK Law will be closed this weekend and on Monday, June 23rd to celebrate and connect with the communities and Indigenous territories where we live and work. This day is a chance to reflect on our role in advancing reconciliation.
June is National Indigenous History Month, featuring inclusive gatherings with live music, workshops, art, and cuisine. We encourage you to join these celebrations to deepen your understanding of Indigenous Peoples locally and across the country, and to recognize their inherent and constitutionally protected rights.
Here are some examples of celebrations in and around our office locations across Canada:
- National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Royal Roads University (Victoria) – June 20, 2025 – With a Traditional canoe landing protocol practice by Lekwungen (Songhees Nation) Elder Butch Dick, Lekwungen Traditional Dancers and Singers, various other cultural presentations and performances, and an traditional plant walk with Cowichan Elder Kenneth Elliott. There will also be children’s field games, food trucks, frybread station and vendors market.
- 3rd Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Block Party Celebration (Vancouver) – June 21, 2025 – The start of the celebration will commence with a welcome from xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations with the remainder of the day being filled with performances from Indigenous artists, cultural sharing activities and a Vendor Market.
- Sunrise Ceremony (Toronto) – June 21, 2025 – In celebrating National Indigenous People’s Day and the Summer Solstice with a traditional Sunrise Ceremony at 5:59 am on Saturday, June 21st. Haudenosaunee Community Member Kelly Fran Davis will lead the ceremony, sharing Haudenosaunee teachings and conducting a tobacco offering. Local fire keeper Mike Duke will maintain the ceremonial fire. Following the ceremony, guests are invited to THEMUSEUM’s Atrium for Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe singing and dancing.
- Indigenous Arts Festival and Na-Me-Res Pow Wow (Toronto) – June 20 – 21, 2025 – Enjoy interactive storytelling, lacrosse demos, traditional dancing and film screenings along with live concerts. The festival will also have handmade crafts, artwork and delicious food. In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Na-Me-Res Pow Wow brings together an event that you can experience the vibrant traditions of Indigenous Culture.
- Indigenous Day Celebration (Kahnawake, QC) – June 21, 2025 – At the Golden Age Club (844 River Rd) join in the celebration with live performances (including standup comedy), Art & Food vendors, Traditional Workshops, Facepainting and a bouncy house.
- National Indigenous Peoples Day (Montreal) – June 21, 2025 – Enjoy free music and a soapstone carving workshop at Cabot Square.
While National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time for celebration, it’s crucial to acknowledge Canada’s historical treatment of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing injustices. We urge everyone to gain a deeper understanding of the land we inhabit. Find time to read, support, and act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the MMIWG Inquiry’s Calls for Justice, and other reports and calls for change in Canada. These efforts seek to recognize Indigenous rights and self-determination.