Yukon moves to make National Aboriginal Day a holiday

Yukon MLAsare all for another day off in the territory, but they'll first consult with Yukoners about making National Aboriginal Day a holiday.

The opposition NDP introduced a motion to make June 21 a statutory holiday. That would make Yukon onlythe second jurisdiction to do so, after the N.W.T.

"We can be leaders. We can signal to the rest of the country that it's time they also step up to the plate," said NDP MLA Kevin Barr in the legislature.

"Making this day a stat holiday would recognize the contributions of Yukon's indigenous peoples, and support efforts at reconciliation and understanding between aboriginaland non-aboriginal people," he said.

Barr also said paidholidays make workers happy and"increase social and community bonds."

Don't plan your long weekend yet

MLAsvoted unanimously in favour of the NDP motion, but not before amending it to allow for consultation.

Community Services Minister Currie Dixon says that will take time,so it's unlikely that Yukoners will celebrate anotherlong weekendbefore 2017.

Still, Dixon says the government likes the idea.

"We are keenly and very enthusiastically supportive of finding new ways to recognize and support First Nations' culture heritage and language," Dixon said.