National Indigenous Peoples Day: Is It a Stat Holiday?
National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 is a paid statutory holiday in only two territories.
When is National Indigenous Peoples Day?
- Next:
- 2026:
- 2027:
Is National Indigenous Peoples Day a statutory holiday?
It is a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. In the provinces and Nunavut, and for federally regulated employers, it is a day of recognition but not a paid day off.
Who gets paid for National Indigenous Peoples Day?
Most employees in the Northwest Territories and Yukon qualify for holiday pay on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Each jurisdiction sets its own eligibility rules, such as how long you have worked for your employer or whether you worked your scheduled shifts before and after the holiday. Part-time employees are often eligible as well.
What if you work on National Indigenous Peoples Day?
If you work on a statutory holiday, you are usually entitled to premium pay for the hours worked, commonly 1.5 times your regular rate, plus holiday pay. Some rules allow regular pay plus a substitute day off instead. The exact combination depends on your province or territory and on any collective agreement.
Background
The day was proclaimed in 1996 as National Aboriginal Day and renamed in 2017. It celebrates First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Holiday pay rules change from time to time. For your exact entitlement, contact your provincial or territorial employment standards office.
