Prime Minister's statement on National Aboriginal Day

Today is National Aboriginal Day, celebrated by First Nations Peoples and other other Canadians across the country.

Local celebrations will be held today at Bellevue Park from noon until 6 p.m.

Admission is free and the celebration is open to people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

Here's the full text of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's statement commemorating the day:

************************* June 21 is a day for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures of Aboriginal people whether they are First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

This year marks 400 years of common history between Aboriginal people and the first settlers.

Together, we have made significant progress and have achieved concrete results on a range of Aboriginal issues, including land claims, education, housing, child and family services, safe drinking water, economic opportunity and the extension of human rights protection to First Nations individuals on reserve.

In addition, this year Canada has marked two important milestones in the resolution of the sad legacy of the Indian residential schools system.

On June 1, the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched and on June 11, I stood in the House Commons and offered an historic formal apology to former students on behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians.

As we mark National Aboriginal Day, the Government of Canada reaffirms its commitment to continue working with Aboriginal leaders to improve the lives of Aboriginal people across the country.

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