Today, June 21st, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, the three groups recognized as Aboriginal or Indigenous peoples.

The day has had different names, from National Aboriginal Day, from its inception in 1996 to its final version, when in 2017 was renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day. In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for this celebration. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

At Avenza we celebrate and recognize the Indigenous Peoples and to celebrate, we are featuring a collection of maps created by Indigenous publishers in our Map Store.

Avataq Cultural Institute

Avataq Cultural Institute provides a strong foundation for the living culture of today’s Inuit. Since its inception in 1980, Avataq has built a solid reputation as the cultural leader for Nunavik Inuit and as an important resource for Inuit culture in Canada and beyond. They are our biggest Indigenous publisher with over 700 maps.

You can access all their maps in our Map Store here.

Destination Nunavut

In Nunavut today, the vibrant Inuit culture behind the territory's creation is alive and thriving. Although life has changed dramatically in some ways, traditional knowledge and cultural practices remain an essential factor in the lives of Nunavummiut. Nunavut’s population is one of the fastest-growing in Canada, and also one of the youngest.

You can access all their maps in our Map Store here.

Other Map Makers

There are more Indigenous People map makers around the world. A great example is The Indigenous Mapping Collective, an Indigenous-led capacity building. Providing Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and organizations with the tools and training to map their lands, share their stories, and decolonize place and space.

Learn more about them here.

Download our App to start supporting Indigenous Peoples maps!

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