June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day of cultural and spiritual significance for First Nations, Inuit and Métis to honour the summer solstice.
The City of Toronto marks this day with a ceremony held around a Sacred Fire with elements of cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples, such as strawberries, water and the four sacred medicines. In 2026, Grandmother Kim Wheatley, Elder Pat Floody and Fire Keeper Raiden Levesque shared their rich and vibrant cultures and traditions to mark the summer solstice, and to welcome Grandfather Sun.
Mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed June as Indigenous Peoples Month and proclaimed June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day. On June 21, the TORONTO Sign was lit the four colours of the Medicine Wheel – black, red, white and yellow.
This annual celebration of traditional and contemporary Indigenous arts and culinary experiences took place on Saturday, June 20 at Biidaasige Park.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017, the City raised, to be flown permanently, the Indigenous flags of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haudenosaunee (Six Nations of the Grand River), Wendat, Métis and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.