Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy

CK Victim Services has launched a new online tool to report incidents of hate or discrimination in CK.

This new tool will give people an option to report outside of going to the police. Many people don’t report experiences motivated by hate or bias to police. The intention of this new tool is to 1) ensure that people can get access to supports if they need it, and 2) use the combined data to get an idea of trends in the community.

Key points:

• The tool is available on Victim Services website http://www.ckvictimservices.com/report-hate
• People can also call Victim Services at 519-436-6630 and leave a message saying they want to make a report. Calls will be returned within 3 business days.
• People can report their own experiences or experiences they witnessed.
• People have the option of submitting an anonymous report or providing their contact information and indicating that they would like support from Victim Services.
• Hate or discrimination could include things like (but is not limited to) harassment, intimidation, threats, denial of services, witnessing or seeing vandalism aimed at a person or the broader community because of a person’s race, ethnic origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disabilities, or other identities.

CK Police Services and CK Gay Pride Association are hosting Coffee with a Cop at Bill's Place on June 23, 2023.

Building relationships is vital for the safety and well-being of everyone. This will be a relaxed and informal setting for community members to meet with local law enforcement officers and foster mutual understanding and trust.

All are welcome to attend!

Saturday June 24th:

9AM Soccer tournament, Waterworks soccer field

6-10PM Food for purchase

8:30 Dance live band - piri piri

Sunday June 25th:

1:30PM Procession, St. Joseph's Church

2:30PM Portuguese Mass, St. Joseph's Church

5-6PM Foor for purchase (pre-ordered only)

6-7:30PM Food for purchase

8:30-10 General public

7:30 Rancho de Chatham

8:30 Dance live band - piri piri

Call or text Filomena Ventura 519-436-7689 or Mary Lou Constancio 519-401-4233 by Friday June 23 to pre-order your meal for Saturday or Sunday.

Learn about the Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham on the Living CK website.

Learn about Our Lady of Fatima on the Washington Post website.

Just a reminder of the Fergie Jenkins statue unveiling happening Saturday, June 10th. The ceremony begins at 2PM at the Civic Centre in Chatham. A family-friendly celebration will be held starting at 3:30 at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham

Learn more about the event Fergie Jenkins Statue Unveiling | Let's Talk Chatham-Kent (letstalkchatham-kent.ca)

Learn more about Fergie Jenkins: Fergie Jenkins’s Long and Grinding Road to Cooperstown | Library and Archives Canada Blog (thediscoverblog.com)

Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network invites you to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Wednesday, June 21, 2023 4-8PM at 25 Eighth Street, Chatham. (At the lot beside Ska Na Family Learning Centre).

EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

Indigenous vendors and information booths.

Food booth.

Children's activity table/area

Reconcili-ACTION table.

Maawnjidimi is providing FREE samples of corn soup, frybread, and Indian cookies.

Agenda:

2:30-4:30 Set up

4:00-4:30 Opening and welcome announcements

4:30-5:00 Drumming and dancing

5:00-5:30 FREE samples (small bowl) corn soup and frybread

5:30-6:00 Drumming and dancing

6:00-6:30 FREE samples (small bowl) of Indian cookies

6:30-7:00 Drumming and dancing

7:00-7:30 FREE samples (small bowl) of strawberries

7:30-8:00 Drumming and closing

Agenda may change slightly with added guests.

Free samples limited to on-serving per person. Seconds will be announced if there are leftovers.

For more information or to register to have an information or vendor booth, contact maawnjidimi@gmail.com

Join the CK Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum in celebrating the publication of 1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars’ Barrier-Breaking Year. The author Heidi LM Jacobs will be featured in a panel conversation with descendants of All-Stars players’ Blake Harding and Donald Tabron, and moderator Dr. Deirdre McCorkindale. Refreshments will be provided.

"Reading through the book, 1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars’ Barrier-Breaking Year it feels almost mythical, like an urban legend made manifest in your hands, bringing to life a story that would make you think you were watching a baseball movie. But this actually happened." –Windsor Life

Members of the CK Chamber, join the Chatham-Kent Camber of Commerce for Coffee. ConneCKt. Learn.

At the Chatham-Kent Chamber office, 54 Fourth St, Chatham on June 7th 8:30am - 9:30am.

This session is on diversity and inclusion and will be presented by hosts, Community Living Wallaceburg, Southern First Nations Secretariat and Community Living Chatham-Kent.

You will learn:

- what diversity and inclusion means to business and our community

- supporting people to 'dream, believe, overcome and achieve'

- Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action

- Employment Services Program, Skills Bank, Job Bank, Business Directory

- Inclusive practices, cultural competency, and diversity.

Complimentary for members. Registration required. Coffee.ConneCKt.Learn - Jun 7, 2023 - The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce

For more information, contact the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce at 519-352-7540 or info@chatham-kentchamber.ca

Visit the Ahlan Bazaar, June 9th and 10th from 2-6PM at the Chatham Islamic Centre, 310 McNaughton AveWest, Chatham.

Get ready for Eid al-Adha or support the community and vendors. Jewelry, food (all halal), clothing, henna, and eyebrow threading.

Free entry. Cash only for payments.

Please contact Maha Muhareb with any questions 519-359-4024 or mamuhareb@hotmail.com

This weekend is the 29th annual Walpole Island Spring Pow Wow. The event is open to everyone. See image below for more details.

Tips for the Bkejwanong Pow Wow:

Listen to the Master of Ceremonies – they’ll explain what’s happening to help visitors.

Ask permission before taking pictures.

Outdoor settings are sometimes uneven so watch your footing.

Sometimes bleachers are available for people, but it never hurts to bring a chair with you.

Seats closest to the dancing circle are reserved for singers, dancers, and drummers.

Respect that some sections set aside for those with mobility issues to sit with mobile chairs or walkers.

Leave pets at home as animals are not necessarily at cultural gatherings and ceremonial functions.

Don’t touch people’s regalia without permission. They are not costumes, and hold special meaning to dancers.

Feathers are sacred – if one falls, do not pick it up. Leave it where it is.

Sometimes specials can include placing a blanket on the ground for generous donations by visitors.

Want to get in on the dancing? Intertribal dances are for all people present to partake in the dance.

Support the vendors. Some vendors may have interact or etransfer options, but please make sure you have cash on hand as well.

Security is provided for parking lot areas.

Ambulance and police are present.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs.

Have fun!

Every year on May 17^th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is honoured. The day was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, and Asexual people, and all people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and sex characteristics. May 17^th was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, on May 17^th 1990.

In recognition of the diversity across 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, this year’s theme is ‘Together always: United in diversity.”

Resources:

Learn

Learn more about May 17th, about homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and the impacts they have at the May 17^th website or from Fondation Émergence.

Learn about terminology, inclusive language, and how to be supportive of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities from:

CK Pride’s website – scroll down for quick tips

Spectrum’s website

Diversity Ed website

Pride at Work website

5 Ways you can support 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace on the Municipality’s Economic Development Youtube channel.

Upcoming Webinar: June 7th, 1PM Celebrating and Elevating 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities for allies, 2SLGBTQIA+ members, and everyone. Offered by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

Supports

CK Gay Pride Association: https://www.ckpride.com/ (local social and educational events)

Trans Wellness Ontario: https://www.transwellness.ca/ (low barrier access to a variety of services for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, their friends, and families)

PFLAG Canada: https://pflagcanada.ca/ (support for 2SLGBTQIA+ families and loved ones)