St. Clair Catholic District Schol Board and Chatham Capitol Theatre present Anangong Miigaading - Star Wars: A New Hope screening in Ojibwe.

February 25, 2025, 10:45 - 1:15 PM at the Chatham Capitol Theatre, 238 King Street West, in Chatham.

Questions? Email cortnee.goure@sccdsb.net.

Gi-ga-miinigoowiz Mamaandaawiziwin - May the force be with you!

Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) has designed a Homelessness Response Toolkit for local businesses, organizations, and area residents better understand and engage with local homelessness response efforts. The goal is to provide practical guidance, reduce stigma, and encourage compassionate and informed interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness.

The kit includes a quick reference postcard with information on who to call in specific situations, including phone numbers for outreach services, sharps clean-up, shelter, and other essential resources, ensuring that businesses and community members have immediate access to support when needed.

Digital copies can be accessed at www.reachoutck.com/resources.

Everyone is welcome.

GINDAASDAA (Ghin-daahs-sdaah): Means looking at something together and learning from it in Ojibwe.

Thursday, February 27, 2025, 6:30 - 8:00

495 King Street West or online

The Gindaasdaa Circile is a book club focusing on Indigenous authors who've written about Indigenous Knowledge, Reconciliation, and Worldviews. There is a recommended readint list that is available. One book will be chosen for everyone to read, review and to discuss at the bi-monthly Gindaasdaa Circle meetings.

February's books are:

Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations. By Richard Embers.

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. By Robin Wall Kimmerer.

RSVP Naomi naomi@skanaflc.com

Note: You do not have to have finished the books to participate.

February is Black History Month!

Each February, we are proud to honour Black History Month, an opportunity to recognize the histories and achievements of Black Canadians and communities.

Chatham-Kent is home to some of the most successful Black settlements in Canadian history, shaping the Chatham-Kent, and Canada, we know today. In Chatham-Kent, three historic sites are dedicated to sharing these local histories, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, and The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.

How is Black History Month being honoured In Chatham-Kent?

Learn about Black History Month, local historical sites, and events on the Visit CK website.

Visit CK Museums to learn about the exhibit Let Us March on Til Victory is Won: The Struggle for Racial Equity in Chatham-Kent and Ontario, available online or as a travelling exhibit throughout the year.

Why do we honour Black History Month?

Although Black communities have been an important part of Canada’s heritage, the role of Black individuals and communities is often excluded from mainstream recounting of Canadian history. This shared history is important all year, but having a designated Black History Month ensures these stories are told. Black History Month highlights the accomplishments of Black community members and the continued struggles for liberation, equity, and justice.

How was Black History Month established?

In Canada, Black History Month was first proclaimed in 1978 by the City of Toronto as a result of advocacy by the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks.

In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

What’s Brewing Chatham-Kent?

New to Chatham-Kent?

Whether you are a newcomer to Chatham-Kent, Ontario, or Canada, we are here to welcome you!

Come join us to get connected, make new friends and discover all that Chatham-Kent has to offer!

Turns and Tales (213 King St W, Chatham)

Wednesday February 5, 2025

6:00 to 7:30 pm

Registration not required.

Contact cklip@chatham-kent.ca for inquiries.

Supported by Turns & Tales, Thamesview Family Health Team, Adult Language & Learning, United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, Living CK at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership, and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

Due to popular demand, a 2nd workshop has been added!

February 5, 2025, 9:00 - 11:30AM

Building Bridge: Anti-Racism 101

Rotary Lounge, Chatham Capitol Theatre, 238 King St W., Chatham

Light refreshments will be provided.

Spots are limited. Registration Required. Register via Eventbrite

Please join Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership and LivingCK for the Building Bridges: Anti-Racism 101 Workshop the Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto delivered through their Opening Doors Project.

This workshop explores issues of racism, diversity and anti-racism, and is ideal for people who are familiar with the idea of multiculturalism and diversity but have not been introduced to anti-racism. It encourages participants to explore how racism works and its different forms in particular contexts. Participants are encouraged to question their own prejudices and explore practical alternatives.

Discussions about harassment and/or discrimination can bring up strong feelings. We encourage participants to actively contribute to a brave space by being respectful, attentive, and open minded during these discussions. And, to actively engage in self-care or to seek support as needed during and after the workshop. If you require support the Chatham-Kent Victim’s Services, Ontario Human Rights Commission, and Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton-Kent can be of assistance.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define: Racism, race, anti-racism, micro-aggressions, and other equity-related terminology
• Understand: The history of racism and its connection to present-day racial discrimination
• Unpack: How discrimination works and manifests in society
• Identify:
  • Different levels of racism, types of racism, and white supremacy from a Canadian perspective
  • Connection between racism and health
    • Racial Trauma
• Tools: Addressing racial discrimination
• Advocate:
  • Becoming Anti-Racist
  • Tips on challenging racism and tools on how to deal with discrimination

GINDAASDAA Circle

Thursday, January 16th, 2025, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

In-person at 495 King Street, West, Chatham, or on Zoom.

Contact Naomi naomi@skanaflc.com to RSVP and/or get the Zoom link.

Book: Who We Are, by the Honourbale Murray Sinclair cc Mazina Giizhik

Everyone is welcome.

The Gindaasdaa Circle is a book club focusing on Indigenous authors who've written about Indigenous Knowledge, Reconciliation, and Worldviews. There is a recommended reading list that is available. One book will be chosen for everyone to read, review, and discuss at the bi-monthly Gindaasdaa Circle meetings.

Gindaasdaa (Ghin-daahs-daah) means looking at someting together and learning from it in the Ojibwe language (as we didn't have books).

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Employment and Social Services program has created a website with information for people who may need food assistance, including resources like:

• food banks
• little free pantries
• soup kitchens
• food voucher programs
• drop-in/outreach services.

Visit www.chatham-kent.ca/EmergencyFood or scan the QR code above to go to the website.

These services are here to support individuals and families in our community. Whether you're in immediate need or looking for ongoing assistance, there are options available to help you.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is starting to post various summer student positions for the Summer of 2025. Positions will continue to be posted over the next couple of months.

Find the postings on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.

Western University of Ontario, in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society, is recruiting youth (13-24 years) and Elders (25+) to learn about the experiences of Black youth living in Southwestern Ontario. From school, to mental health, to employment, the researchers are looking at how to improve the outcomes, health, and well-being of Black youth community.

Get a $20 gift card of your choice for participating.

Youth interviews (13 to 24)

First hand experiences living in Southwestern Ontario as told by Black youth themselves.

Elder interviews (25+)

Experience and expertise from elders who are connected to Black youth.

Interviews will take place December 17 - 19 at the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society or virtually.

To sign up, use the QR code on the poster above.