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

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is now accepting applications for Together CK grants!

These grants support community groups to carry out projects or events that contribute to the community. Applications are due before October 5, 2023.

Learn more about the grants on the Municipality's website. Click on the 'Apply Now' button to get more detailed information.

The Municipality has partnered with CK Pride and community member Joel Emery to distribute free 2SLGBTQIA+ ally signs for local businesses, organizations, and residents. A brochure that goes with the sign has resources and information about how to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Signs are meant to be displayed in visible places to show support during CK Pride week (Aug 11-19) and all year long.

Signs are available at all Municipal Service Centres, at Bill’s Place for pick up on Aug 10^th or 16^th 3:30-6:30PM, August 26^th 1:00-300PM or by emailing info@ckpride.com

More information is available at the CK Pride Facebook page.

Collège Boréal is providing free, online English classes with a live instructor for people who are Migrant Workers in Chatham-Kent. Reach out to Azuani Cano, 519-384-9393, acano@dol.ca or Jiohanka Perez, 519-397-1677, jiohanka.perez@collegeboreal.ca for more information and to register.

Don't forget to subscribe to the CK Local Immigration Partnership newsletter for more updates like these!

Join the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History and Ontario Heritage Trust for Emancipation Day — an annual celebration of hope and freedom commemorating the end of slavery in the British Empire — at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.

Everyone is welcome for this free, fun and educational day featuring music, speakers and presenters, children's crafts and book signings that recognizes and promotes the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society, while emphasizing that peoples of African descent have played a fundamental role in the development of the Canadian identity and heritage. The day also serves to advance the dialogue in support of the full and equal participation of Black individuals and Black communities.

Seating is available or bring your own lawn chair.

Southern barbecue lunch available for purchase from the Chilled Cork Food Truck.

Speakers and performers

London Collective Gospel Choir

• Enjoy uplifting musical selections that emphasize hope and unity through faith by the London Collective Gospel Choir.

Kwame Delfish

• Hear from artist Kwame Delfish, the first Caribbean Canadian to design a coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. Delfish will speak about the creative process behind his design for the coin commemorating the No. 2 Construction Battalion — the largest all-Black battalion-sized unit in Canadian military history.

Motown Boys

• Dance to the tunes of Diana Ross, The Temptations and top-40 Motown hits with live renditions by the musical group Motown Boys, featuring George St. Kitts, Toni Anderson and Kenni Hite.

Ruth Lor Malloy

• Learn from Ruth Lor Malloy, a travel writer and activist. In the 1950s, she worked with the Toronto Joint Labour Committee for Human Rights to fight discrimination in Dresden. Malloy will talk about her book — Brightening My Corner: A Memoir of Dreams Fulfilled — and will host a book signing.

Chef Patience Chirisa

• Fire up all your senses with Chef Patience Chirisa, a culinary expert in African cuisine. Chef Chirisa will provide a delectable selection of finger foods for guests to sample, host a book reading and signing, and deliver a fun arts-and-crafts activity for children.

Duane Gibson

• Hear from D.O. Gibson, a two-time Guinness World Records-setting rapper, author and professional speaker. Gibson will be speaking on how Josiah Henson is a central part of his many performances, as it allows him to speak about slavery, the Underground Railroad, spirituals and about his dad’s portrayal of Josiah Henson in the Josiah Henson Museum’s interpretive video onsite.

About the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. This two-hectare (five-acre) complex celebrates the life and work of Reverend Josiah Henson and explores the history of the Underground Railroad in Ontario. The museum provides a space to discuss the legacy of slavery and racism and the enduring pursuit for social justice. Learn more …

Location:

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
29251 Freedom Road (formerly Uncle Tom's Road)
Dresden, Ontario

Map

Learn more about Emancipation Day from the Government of Canada.

The Buxton 100th Homecoming is happening on Labour Day weekend, September 1-4!

Explore the historic town, party, play, and learn. Experience the rich heritage, vibrant events, and educational opportunities.

Celebrate, connect, and honor the communities in the area.

Everyone welcome.

See the full schedule through Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.

Tonight, we will present the high-level details of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Strategy at Municipal Council.

With four areas of focus, the Strategy aims to support the Municipality, as a workforce and service provider, to be an active leader committed to prioritizing equitable opportunities, promoting diversity, and building a strong sense of belonging.

The Council report summarizing our work to date and Appendix with details about the Strategy are available along with the full agenda on the Municipal website (see agenda Item 16).

Thank you to all of the people and organizations who shared their perspectives and ideas to shape the Strategy, we couldn't have done this work without you.

The Strategy is being shared through an Information Report. Later this year, during our new 4-year budget process, Council will be asked to approve funding to support full implementation of the DEIJ Strategy. In the meantime, we will continue to implement action items that do not require additional resources.

Please reach out to our Coordinator, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns. deij@chatham-kent.ca

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!

The Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham invites you to the Nossa Senhora de Fátima/Our Lady of Fatima Festival June 24th and 25th.

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)