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  • April is Sikh Heritage Month!

    April is Sikh Heritage Month!

    This month, we celebrate Sikh culture and heritage and honour the important contributions of Sikh community members to our social, economic, political and cultural lives.

    Sikhism is one of the world’s youngest religions but is the fifth largest religion in the world. The first wave of settlers who were Sikh arrived in Canada in the early 1900s. Today, Canada has the second largest diaspora of people who are Sikh in the World!

    Sikh Heritage Month was first established in Ontario in 2013 and then in Canada in 2019. April was chosen because it is the time that Sikh people observe Vaisakhi, which commemorates the creation of the Khalsa and Sikh articles of faith. Vaisakhi (sometimes spelt Baisakhi) may also be called Khalsa Sanja Diwas. In Chatham-Kent, Vaisakhi is being honoured with a Nagar Kirtan, a Sikh religious parade, on April 20, 2025. This event is open to people from all communities in the surrounding area to get a taste of Sikh culture and celebrate. See the posters at the bottom of this post for more information.

    Happy Vaisakhi to community members honouring this important time in Chatham-Kent!



    Learn More:


    Find information about local ethno-cultural communities on the Living CK website.

    Learn about the history of Sikhs in Canada from:

    Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada

    Sikh Research Institute

    Early Concepts (resources for educators)

    Sikh National Archives of Canada

    Learn about Sikhism and other religions in the workplace from Encounter World Religions.



    Thank you to members of the Sikh Cultural Society Chatham-Kent for reviewing the contents of this post.

    For more information about the Sikh Cultural Society Chatham-Kent or the Nagar Kirtan on April 20th, contact the Society at 519.784.1748 or gudwarachathamkent@gmail.com or Dr. Bidhi Singh Bains 519.351.8043 bidhi_bains@hotmail.com

  • New Report: Food Insecurity in Chatham-Kent

    An infographic summarizing key findings of the fully report. Contact CK Public Health to get this information in an alternative format.


    At the February 2025 Board of Health meeting, CK Public Health released a report about household food insecurity in Chatham-Kent. A few key findings included:

    • 1 in 5 households in CK are food insecure
    • Many people in CK don't have enough money to buy food
    • The root cause of food insecurity is poverty
    • Emergency food charity is not a long-term solution.

    The report calls on community members and organizations to learn about food insecurity, talk to friends, family, and colleagues about the true causes of food insecurity, and advocate for income solutions.

    Find the full report, the above infographic, and more information on the CK Public Health website.

  • Homelessness Response Toolkit

    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.

  • 2025 Municipal Summer Student Positions

    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.

  • New Local Book Club: Unbound

    Flyer for the book club. All text below. Flyer has a stack of books on the left side of the page and text on the right.


    New! Unbound Book Club.

    For people who may feel bound by the lack of accessibility in our works, join to explore new worlds, unique stories and meet new characters through the word of books.

    For young adults (18+) who have a disability or are an ally for the disability community.


    September Book Club Pick: The Reading List, by Sara Nisha Adams.

    Books chosen based on availability in both print and audiobook formats.

    September 18, 2024, 7-9PM. Turns & Tales Bookstore. 213 King St W, Unit 2, Chatham.

    For more information contact 226-626-6585 or erin.genge@gmail.com


    Future meeting dates:

    October 23, 2024; November 20, 2024; December 18, 2024.

  • Event: March 5th Cultural ConneCKt

    Flyer promoting the Cultural Connect event. All text is below. Image shows people of various skin tones, genders, and ages sitting at a table talking with papers, plates, and cups of water infront of them. The logos of the Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership and Chatham-Kent Community Attraction & Promotion team are at the bottom of the flyer.


    The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership and Municipality of Chatham-Kent Community Attraction & Promotion team invite leaders and members of local cultural community groups to meet, network, and explore possible connections.

    Tuesday, March 5, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

    Chatham Granite Club, 41 William Street North, Chatham.

    Light refreshments will be provided.

    Registration required.

    Contact cklip@chatham-kent.ca to register or for more information.


    Note: This event is intended specifically for leaders and members of local cultural community groups, and is not an education session open to the public.

  • Event: Alhan Bazaar March 1 and 2

    Flyer advertising the event. Text is below. Images of lanterns, someone looking at clothes, henna on hands, and desserts.


    As Muslim communities prepare for Ramadan, the Ahlan Bazaar is happening at The Chatham Islamic Centre, 310 McNaughton Ave West, from 2:00PM - 6:00PM on March 1st and 2nd.


    Free entry, cash only for payments.

    Find jewelry, halal foods, desserts, clothing, eyebrow threading, and henna.


    Everyone welcome.


    If you have question, please contact Maha Muhareb 519.359.4024 or mamuhareb@hotmail.com.

  • Feb 10: Black Excellence Awards and Gala

    Black Excellence Awards and Gala tickets on sale now.


    On February 10th, the first ever Black Excellent Awards and Fala will be held at Retro Suites in Chatham.

    The event, held during Black History Month, will honour the outstanding accomplishments of Black community members and celebrate local Black communities.

    Gala tickets are $100 each and can be purchased through Event Brite.

    Nominations for the awards are open until January 10th and can be made through the Google Doc form.