National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.
Discover stories, traditions & cultures
Explore the past and honour the truth
Canadian Men’s Health Month
During the month of June, men and boys are encouraged to take charge of their health – get screened, eat a healthy meal, exercise, get outdoors and check in with a friend. Use this month to set good habits in motion, and carry them throughout the year. Men’s Health Week is June 9-15, 2025.
Pride Season Launch
Pride Season is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) when 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Historically, Pride gatherings emerged from the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQI+ rights. In Canada, the first demonstrations took place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971. By 1973, Pride events were held in several Canadian cities, including Montréal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Toronto’s Pride weekend in June is now among the largest Pride events in North America.
Pride Season toolkit
Improving equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities
Deafblind Awareness Month
June 2021 marks the 6th anniversary since a motion was passed in the Senate of Canada declaring June as National Deafblind Awareness Month. Each June, people with deafblindness, service providers, and supporters come together to ‘Make a Wave from Coast to Coast’, with a passion to make a difference and raise awareness.
Did you know?
An estimated 466,000 Canadians over the age of 15 are living with some degree of dual sensory loss, and in many parts of the country, they don’t have access to Deafblind services.
Italian Heritage Month
In 1881, Canada was home to an Italian community of about 2,000 people. In the 2021 census, 1.5 million people in Canada reported Italian descent. Canada is home to one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world, which is an integral part of Canada’s identity. Today, in all major Canadian cities, Canadians enjoy famous Little Italy neighbourhoods that have become cherished parts of communities over generations. By marking Italian Heritage Month, we recognize the importance of protecting our diversity, which is our strength.
Filipino Heritage Month
Every June, we celebrate Filipino Heritage Month, an important time to recognize and highlight the many invaluable contributions Canadians of Filipino heritage make each and every day to the country we call home. On June 12, Filipino communities across Canada and around the world will also celebrate the anniversary of Philippine independence.
During this special month, let’s learn more about the traditions of Filipino Canadians through the cultural and traditional activities happening across the country. Canada draws its strength and resilience from its diversity. Each day, let’s embrace inclusion and celebrate our diversity.
Mabuhay!
Portuguese Heritage Month
Today, there are nearly 500,000 Canadians of Portuguese descent, representing one of the largest Portuguese diasporas in the world. Through their courage, perseverance and hard work, Portuguese Canadians have helped our country grow and flourish. Their contributions to building our country in every field serve as an example for all Canadians. From medicine to the arts, science to sports, and politics to education, people of Portuguese descent play an integral role in the fabric of our Canadian society.
1 Global Day of Parents
Global Day of Parents provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their “selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.” Families, parents and caregivers play a central role in child well-being and development. They offer identity, love, care, provision and protection to children and adolescents as well as economic security and stability. In keeping with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, family and parenting support is increasingly recognized as an important part of national social policies and social investment packages aimed at reducing poverty, decreasing inequality and promoting positive parental and child well-being.
1 Intergenerational Day
Here are just a few examples of organizations and activities encouraging intergenerational connections:
- Local schools are fostering relationships between generations, including penpal activities and in-person visits. One example is Immaculata High School‘s “Caring for Others” program where grade 10 students visit Perley Health weekly to provide companionship and assist with fun activities.
- Andrew Fleck Children’s Services is developing a demonstration site of best practices for intergenerational programming in three settings, in collaboration with the Council on Aging of Ottawa and others. More details can be found here, including how to get involved should you be interested in becoming a “grand-friend”!
- To create more social spaces where people of different ages can come together, iGenOttawa partnered with Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) and the Ottawa Tool Library in 2022 to create a sectional Gathering Bench on the grounds of Clementine Towers. Since then, more have been built on other OCH properties!
- Music connects different generations in simple and meaningful ways, including students performing at seniors residences and informal collaborations with family and neighbours. Check out this heartwarming intergenerational video by OrKidstra and Canadian Showtime Chorus! Listen here I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing – Celebrating Intergenerational Day 2021 – YouTube
- Volunteering: Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities that bring different generations together, including the Ottawa Network for Education‘s Volunteers in Education Program and JA Ottawa.
2-6 Canadian Environment Week
Established in 1971, Canadian Environment Week celebrates Canada’s environmental accomplishments and encourages Canadians to contribute to conserving and protecting their environment.
3 World Bicycle Day
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is a pathway for achieving greater health equity. For the poorest urban sector, who often cannot afford private vehicles, walking and cycling can provide a form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, and even death. Accordingly, improved active transport is not only healthy; it is also equitable and cost-effective.
4 Clean Air Day
Since 1999, Canada has recognized the first Wednesday in June as Clean Air Day.
Recognizing this day helps remind us of the importance of clean air for good health and a clean environment. While air quality in Canada is relatively good, air pollution continues to impact our environment and health. Air pollution can lead to heart and lung diseases, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death. Air pollution harms wildlife, vegetation and crops, and damages our buildings. It also contributes to other environmental issues, including biodiversity loss and climate change. In Canada, air pollution contributes to around 17,400 deaths each year and the annual cost of health impacts is estimated at $146 billion.
5 World Environment Day
This year’s World Environment Day comes exactly two months before countries meet again to continue negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
Join the #BeatPlasticPollution movement—because together we can create a healthier future. Add your event on the 2025 World Environment Day map and share it with the world!
7 World Food Safety Day
1,600,000 people get sick due to unsafe food every day, on average
Science is at the heart of food safety. It helps us understand what makes food unsafe and guides us on how to prevent foodborne diseases. The theme of World Food Safety Day on 7 June 2025 draws attention to the use of scientific knowledge as key to reducing illness, cutting costs and saving lives.
8 World Oceans Day
World Ocean Day catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate, working in collaboration with youth leaders and a wide range of organizations. World Ocean Day is powered by its Youth Advisory Council
2025 Theme: Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate
9-15 Men’s Health Week
Canadians are some of the healthiest people in the world; however, we know that many Canadian men are not as healthy as they could be: 29% are obese; 82% do not meet physical activity guidelines; 76% don’t eat healthy food; and 35% don’t get enough sleep. Building awareness includes providing men with the tools and resources needed to make lifestyle changes that can improve their health.
10 Action Anxiety Day
Anxiety is common for many children, and we can empower them with knowledge and the tools they need to cope.
12 World Day Against Child Labour
Although significant strides have been taken in reducing child labour over time, recent years have seen global trends reverse, underscoring the pressing need to unite efforts in expediting actions to eradicate child labour in all its manifestations.
13 International Albinism Awareness Day
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. While numbers vary, it is estimated that in North America and Europe 1 in every 17,000 to 20,000 people have some form of albinism. The condition is much more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, with estimates of 1 in 1,400 people being affected in Tanzania and prevalence as high as 1 in 1,000 reported for select populations in Zimbabwe and for other specific ethnic groups in Southern Africa. The lack of melanin means persons with albinism are highly vulnerable to developing skin cancer. In some countries, a majority of persons with albinism die from skin cancer between 30 and 40 years of age.
The common lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes of people with albinism causes vulnerability to sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer and severe visual impairment.
14 World Blood Donor Day
Every year countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system.
15-21 National Public Service Week
Every year throughout Canada, the third week of the month of June is known as “National Public Service Week.” National Public Service Week (NPSW) was created in 1992, following the passage of the National Public Service Week: Serving Canadians Better Act. Its objective is to “recognize the value of the services rendered by federal public service employees” and to “acknowledge the contribution of federal public service employees to the federal administration.”
15 Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a holiday honoring one’s father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.
18 International Day to Counter Hate Speech
Hate speech in the form of xenophobia, racism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, anti-LGBTQIA+ hatred, misogyny and other types of intolerance is on the rise worldwide, spreading faster and further than ever before through social media. Both online and offline, hate speech targets and dehumanizes people and peoples based on who they are – often by actors seeking political gain. Every year on 18 June, we support the celebration of the International Day for countering hate speech.
19 Juneteenth
Juneteenth National Independence Day is a holiday commemorating the arrival of 2,000 Union troops to Galveston Bay, TX, declaring on June 19, 1865 that enslaved people were free. News of the executive decree ending slavery came to Texas—the last Confederate state reached by the Union army—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The name “Juneteenth” references the date of the holiday, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.” It is also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.
Read a collection of stories on freedom
19 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
The world is currently experiencing the highest number of conflicts since World War II, resulting in a record 117 million people forced to flee their homes. Disregard for international law, arms proliferation, and increasing militarization are exacerbating sexual violence and posing serious threats to the safety of civilians, including vulnerable groups.
20 World Refugee Day
Every single minute of every day, 20 people around the world make one of the most difficult decisions of their lives. They leave their homes to escape war, persecution or fear in search of a safer, better life. World Refugee Day is a day to honour the people who make that difficult choice.
Each year, one in every 78 people is forced to flee their home.
20 Summer Solstice
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)
21 National Indigenous Peoples Day
The Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day in 1996, an occasion for Canadians to come together, reflect on and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Education Resources
23 International Widows Day
For many women around the world, the devastating loss of a partner is magnified by a long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. Despite the fact that there are more than 258 million widows around the world, widows have historically been left unseen, unsupported, and unmeasured in our societies.
23 National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism
The day was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 tragedy, which occurred on June 23, 1985. On that day, a bomb exploded on the flight while en route from Toronto to London, England, killing all 329 people aboard, 280 of them Canadians. A similar bomb intended for another Air India flight also killed two baggage handlers at Tokyo’s Narita airport.
24 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
In Canada, nearly 10 million people speak French. On June 24, on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and the National Day of Quebec, Francophones across the country show their pride by celebrating their language and their traditions.
26 Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year, which is the first day of the Islamic calendar, dates back to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E., which is known as the Hijra. The importance of this event is reflected in the fact that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, rather than the birth of the Prophet Muhammad or the first Qur’anic revelation to him in 610 C.E. Prior to the Hijra, the Muslims in Mecca were a small group of people, opposed and often persecuted by the dominant powers in the city.
27 Canadian Multiculturalism Day
On June 27, Canadian Multiculturalism Day honours the many cultural communities that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. Take this opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches us collectively and reaffirm your commitment to equity, inclusion, and mutual respect.
Learn about the government’s actions to promote & protect multiculturalism in Canada
28 1969 Stonewall Riots Anniversary
June 28, 1969 marks the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of events between police and LGBTQ+ protesters which stretched over six days. It was not the first time police raided a gay bar, and it was not the first time LGBTQ+ people fought back, but the events that would unfold over the next six days would fundamentally change the discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ activism in the United States. While Stonewall became well known due to the media coverage and the subsequent annual Pride traditions, it was a culmination of years of LGBTQ+ activism. Historians have noted that the shift in activism, if Stonewall truly represented one at all, was a shift primarily for white cisgender people, as people of color and gender non-conforming people never truly had the benefit of concealing their marginalized identities.
While the events of Stonewall are often referred to as “riots,” Stonewall veterans have explicitly stated that they prefer the term Stonewall uprising or rebellion. The reference to these events as riots was initially used by police to justify their use of force.
“It was a rebellion, it was an uprising, it was a civil rights disobedience-it wasn’t no damn riot.” -Stormé DeLarverie
