Many Canadians celebrated indigenous culture Sunday during National Aboriginal Day events held from coast to coast.

People joined for pow-wows, marches, solstice celebrations and more, as part of a day the Canadian government bills as a time to "celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada."

This year's National Aboriginal Day also comes on the heels of a report that found that Canada committed "cultural genocide" through the residential school system. The damning report calls on the government to implement 94 recommendations to address the history of abuse.

Montreal hosted a ceremony and march on Sunday, with the goal of sharing aboriginal culture but also moving forward after the report was released.

Swaneige Bertrand, whose father is a residential school survivor, said her life has been marred by the aftereffects of the system.

"I am just as much a part of the residential schools. I don't know how to heal my wounds," Bertrand told CTV Montreal.

Some attendees used the event to continue to push for action in light of the recommendations listed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report.

"Is the government going to do anything about them? Or, is the government going to take them and put them on a shelf again?" said Sedalia, of Keepers of the Eastern Door.

But many, including Bertrand, said Sunday's festivities were part of the healing process.

"We're still here, we're not forgotten people," said Bertrand. "I think it's more (about) moving forward in a more positive light."

"Of course what happened has been tagged as a 'cultural genocide' but now we are speaking about a 'cultural rebirth,'" added Andre Dudemaine, director of Land inSights.

The ceremony included lighting a fire and burning tobacco in recognition of the summer solstice and traditional dances.

Winnipeg had a full day of celebration, ending in a concert. But in Sagkeeng First Nation, roughly 100 kilometres north of the city, the ceremony took on a more sombre tone.

Family members whose mothers, sisters and daughters are among Canada's missing and murdered women marched in solidarity.

Among those in attendance was Thelma Favel, the great-aunt of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, whose body was pulled from Winnipeg's Red River last summer.

"It's awful to wake up every morning to know I won't see her face," Favel told CTV Winnipeg.

Six other community members shared their sorrow over missing family members.

"I want to honour her," said Agnes Abraham, whose sister Sharon went missing in Vancouver in 2001.

"Everybody feels like she's being forgotten about. She was really loved and that's all I want to let people know – that she was a very good person," she added.

Police eventually found Sharon Abraham's DNA on the property of convicted serial killer Robert Pickton.

Organizers plan to turn the ceremony into an annual event. An RCMP report released last year found that 1,181 indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered since 1980.

In downtown Halifax, bells at St. George's Round Anglican Church were struck once for every missing or murdered aboriginal woman in the country.

The church has also organized a "22-days Campaign" to encourage parishioners to offer prayers in solidarity with aboriginal peoples.

Kim Lickers, whose grandparents and father were survivors of residential schools, said the ceremony at the church was "important" and she felt it was "personal."

"Today, I'm ringing the bells each time in honour of the stolen sisters who are the missing and murdered across Canada," Lickers told CTV Atlantic.

In Ottawa, the Assembly of First Nations hosted an arts festival and pow wow competition featuring dancers from across Turtle Island (North America).

"We really appreciate the opportunity to have people come in and learn a little (and) get to know more about who we are as aboriginal peoples," Trina Mather Simard, president and general manager of aboriginal experiences, told CTV Ottawa.

"It's fun and we really enjoy hosting this day," she added.

The City of Toronto also held a three-day arts festival at Fort York, ending on Sunday.

Contemporary and traditional dances took place, with performers wearing unique regalia featuring designs and colours chosen by elders.

"It is nice to hear the music and the drums being played again, and the language being spoken," Chief Bryan Laforme, of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, told CTV Toronto.

National Aboriginal Day officially began in 1996. The date corresponds with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and a time when many indigenous groups have traditionally held celebrations.

In a statement Sunday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper urged all Canadians to learn about indigenous culture and the ways First Nations people have contributed to Canadian history.

"Aboriginal peoples have helped shape Canada's past and will be vital for our future," he said.

With reports from CTV Atlantic, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg and Montreal.