First Peoples’ House Days of Significance
The Great Moon (January)
National Ribbon Skirt Day - January 4
National Ribbon Skirt Day is a day in Canada celebrating the ribbon skirt traditionally worn by Indigenous women.
National Ribbon Skirt Day Act »
First Peoples’ House Round Dance – Last Saturday in January
Early each year, First Peoples’ House hosts their annual Round Dance.
Eagle Moon (February)
Have a Heart Day - February 14
Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy and proud of who they are.
International Mother Language Day - February 21
International Mother Language Day underscores the role of languages in promoting inclusion and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Geese Moon (March)
International Women's Day - March 8
International Women's Day is a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
Pride Week University of Alberta - March 11- 15
First Peoples’ House hosts an annual colourful bannock and stew community gathering during Pride Week.
Two-Spirit Celebration & Awareness Day - March 19
March 19 has been proclaimed Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day by the Government of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver.
World Water Day - March 22
World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of fresh water.
Safe Water for First Nations »
National Indigenous Languages day - March 31
National Indigenous Languages Day is a day to celebrate and honour Indigenous languages in Canada.
Frog Moon (April)
International Day of Pink - April 9
On Day of Pink we wear pink to send a message against bullying and homophobia.
Leaf Budding Moon (May)
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples - May 5
May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+). This day is also known as Red Dress Day.
Moose Hide Campaign Day - May 16
Moose Hide Campaign Day is a day of ceremony where all Canadians are called to join together to take a stand against violence towards women and children.
Egg Hatching Moon (June)
First Peoples’ of Canada History Month
National Indigenous History Month in Canada is a time for all Canadians to learn about, appreciate and acknowledge the First Peoples of Canada’s immense contributions in Canada, both past and present.
Summer Solstice - June 21
National Indigenous People's Day - June 21
National Indigenous People’s Day is a day for all Canadians to honour and celebrate the legacy, diverse cultures and exceptional contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
Flying Up Moon (August)
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – August 9
This day is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.
Treaty 6 Recognition Day- August 23
On August 23, 1876, the Plains Cree, Woods Cree, Nakota Sioux, Saulteaux, and Dene people met with Crown representatives at Fort Carlton to enter into Treaty No. 6.
Rutting Moon (September)
Orange Shirt Day - September 30
Orange Shirt Day recognizes the harm Canada’s residential school system inflicted on First Nation, Métis and Inuit children and their families, and the ongoing trauma that remains today. It is a day to remember and honour Indian Residential School Survivors and for all of the ones who did not make it home back to their families and communities.
We may be Green & Gold here at the University of Alberta but on September 30th. WE ARE ORANGE »
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30
As of June 2021, September 30th is also now recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Migrating Moon (October)
National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People (MMIWG2S) - October 4
Remember and honour the lives of the missing and murdered women, girls and gender diverse people by advocating for justice and change.
Frost Moon (November)
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month raises awareness of the barriers and the issues that FNMI living with disabilities and their families face, celebrates the achievements of FNMI living with disabilities, and recognizes the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities.
International Inuit Day – November 7
Inuit Day is a day celebrating the language and culture of Inuit in Canada and internationally.
Indigenous Veterans Day – November 8
Every year on November 8th, we honour our First Nation, Métis and Inuit Veterans by paying tribute to the important contributions and sacrifices they made.
Rock Your Mocs - November 10 - 16
A worldwide virtual unity event held annually during National Native American Heritage Month in the U.S.A. During Rock Your Mocs, people wear their moccasins, take a photo, create a video or story, add the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS and upload to social media.
Louis Riel Day - November 16
Louis Riel Day is a day to celebrate Métis culture and the continuing progress that Métis people are making in fulfilling Riel’s dream of Métis taking their rightful place within Confederation.
Alberta Métis Week
In addition to recognizing Louis Riel Day on November 16, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta has declared the week surrounding November 16 as “Métis Week.”