Statement by Minister Rickford on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Today, the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs issued the following statement in recognition of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples:

“Today is an opportunity to honour the rich cultures, contributions and resilience of Indigenous communities including the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples here in Ontario. There are an estimated 370,000 Indigenous people in Ontario and 370 million across the globe.

This year, the theme of this annual celebration is Indigenous languages. I want to acknowledge Indigenous leaders and communities in Ontario for their efforts in preserving languages, cultures and traditions for future generations.

I encourage all Ontarians to take time today to learn more about the diverse Indigenous communities in Ontario and their significant achievements that continue to shape our province. Partnerships with Indigenous communities are essential to our strength, and our government is committed to working together to create opportunities for Indigenous people in every region.”