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

Happy February!

This month's DEIJ Quiz is now available, test your knowledge on various days of observance taking place this month.

Let us know how you did and feel free share this quiz with others as well!

Participate in the quiz by visiting DEIJ Quiz website or scan the QR code below.

February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to honouring and celebrating the accomplishments of Canadians of African descent.

We encourage you, this month and all year long, to learn about Black community members who have helped shape what Chatham-Kent is today.

There are many events taking place across Chatham-Kent this month. See the flyer below for details and feel free to share. Click the flyer to enlarge it.

We would like to thank the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, and our colleagues across the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for their partnerships and continued work to preserve and share our local and national history.

Note: Click flyer below to enlarge.

Text only:

Black History Month 2023 Events:

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FLAG RAISING

Civic Centre, 315 King St W, Chatham, February 1st, 12:00pm

Everyone is welcome!

JEOPARDY NIGHT

Red Barn Brewing Co., February 9th, 6:30pm

The Buxton Museum is hosting Jeopardy, in honour of Black History Month. All questions will be Black History related, with 3 contestants. It's an interactive, immersive experience for the audience to be involved! Stay tuned for more information on the Buxton Museum Facebook.

CK PUBLIC LIBRARY: BLACK HISTORY MONTH STORYTIME

Chatham Branch, 120 Queen St, Chatham, February 11th, 10:00 am

Celebrate the 200th birthday of Canadian icon, Mary Ann Shadd, the first Black female newspaper publisher in Canada. Enjoy a special story-time, trivia and puzzles in partnership with Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum. Registration is required. Visit CKPL website to find more events that are taking place this Black History Month.

DOUGLASS DAY: VIRTUAL TRANSCRIBING EVENT

February 14th, live streamed 12:00pm-3:00pm

Join this virtual event and participate in a transcribe-a-thon uncovering the rich, varied collections of Mary Ann Shadd documents. Watch the livestream and transcribe with others, by visiting the Douglass Day website to register.

NIGHT WITH JAMAAL CODY

Red Barn Brewing Co., February 14th, 7:00pm

Buxton's Next Generation is hosting a "Night with Jamaal Cody" tickets are $35.00 and include, an appetizer, dessert and first beverage. Stay tuned on Buxton's Next Generation Facebook for updates!

FREEDOM! THE SPIRIT AND LEGACY OF BLACK MUSIC

Chatham Capitol Theatre, 238 King St W, Chatham, Feb 12, 7:00 p.m.

Chatham Capitol Theatre presents FREEDOM! The Spirit and Legacy of Black Music created, directed by, and starring Beau Dixon. It features a company of ten superb Black performers and musicians. Visit Chatham Capitol Theatre's website to purchase tickets.

BLACK VOICES (IN)JUSTICE: SUPPORTING BLACK YOUTH REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

March 2nd, 7:00pm

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is hosting a livestream event commemorating lawyer, publisher and activist Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Registration is required for this program. For more events, visit the Ontario Heritage Trust website.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUIZ

Test your knowledge about Black History in Chatham-Kent to be entered to win tickets to the February 12th performance of FREEDOM! The Spirit and Legacy of Black Music at Capital Theatre or entrance to local museums dedicated to preserving local Black history. Thank you to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, The Buxton National Historical Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, and Buxton’s Next Generation for this partnership! Participate on the Living CK Facebook or Instagram page.

LET US MARCH ON TILL VICTORY IS WON EXHIBIT

Available year-round.

Book CK Museum’s newest travelling exhibit that traces the courageous story of the National Unity Association to end segregation in CK and Ontario. For more information about the exhibit, please visit CK Museum's website.

Contact the Museum for more information and to learn about materials and programming that can accompany the exhibit. Call 519-360-1998 or email ckcccmuseum@chatham-kent.ca. This exhibit is also available virtually on the CK Museum collections website. Tune into CK Museum Facebook for Black History Facts all month long.

Once considered a destination for freedom seekers, Chatham-Kent is home to some of the most successful Black settlements in Canadian history. Learn more at one of Chatham-Kent’s three Black historical sites. Follow their social media pages to learn about Black history and relevant events.

BUXTON NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE & MUSEUM

21975 A.D. Shadd Road, North Buxton.

Take a virtual self-guided or book an in-person tour on Buxton Museum's website. To visit the site in-person you can also email: buxton@ciaccess.com.

CHATHAM-KENT BLACK HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND BLACK MECCA MUSEUM

177 King St E, Chatham

Watch a CKBHS & Black Mecca Museum Virtual Tour on YouTube or book a tour by visiting the CKBHS website.

JOSIAH HENSON MUSEUM OF AFRICAN CANADIAN HISTORY

29251 Freedom Road, Dresden

Register for a 60-minute live tour of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History on Eventbrite. For more information on free-live virtual tours, Beyond the Underground Railroad: Exploring the legacy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary video, and more special events and programming visit the Ontario Heritage Trust website.

The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership is excited to announce the 2023 CK LIP Forum!

The Forum will highlight many of the successful initiatives of the past year aimed at fostering a welcoming community in Chatham-Kent. There will also be a panel of local immigrants who will touch on relevant themes and provide insight into their own experiences in CK.

Event Details:

Date & Time: Thursday March 2^nd, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Location: Everest Convention Centre, 250 National Rd, Chatham, ON N7M 5J5

Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ck-lip-forum-2023-tickets-513128760937

View the flyer attached for further information!

Happy New Year!

This month's DEIJ January Quiz is now available for you. We hope you learn something new and please feel free share this quiz with others.

Participate in the quiz by visiting DEIJ Quiz or use the QR code in this post.

Let us know how you did!

On Tuesday, January 10th from 11AM-12PM, at Adult Language and Learning in Chatham, there will be an information session for organizations interested in the Call for Proposals for the TeaMWork Migrant Worker Support Program.

To learn more or register for the event visit the Workforce Windsor-Essex website: In-Person TeaMWork Call-for-Proposal Information Session - Workforce WindsorEssex

About TeaMWork Migrant Support Program:

In recognition of their need to support some of the nation’s most vulnerable and isolated workers, the Government of Canada announced the Migrant Worker Support Program (MWSP) as part of Budget 2021. Informed by the lessons learned from the Migrant Worker Support Network Pilot, the MWSP aims to support community-based organizations in the provision of migrant worker-centric programs and services.

Funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, TeaMWork is a project under the Migrant Worker Support Program. The purpose of the program is to provide migrant workers with accurate information and access to available services and supports, and to assist them in learning about and exercising their rights while in Canada.

Learn more about the program on the Workforce Windsor-Essex website: TeaMWork Project - Workforce WindsorEssex

The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Immigrant Advisory Group (IAG). The CK LIP Immigrant Advisory Group acts as a resource for CK LIP Council and partnered projects to enhance CK’s welcome-ability. The group is responsible for providing input to CK LIP Council on what immigrants are experiencing in the community while also sharing ideas on improving settlement outcomes.

All members must be 18 years of age or older and be current residents of Chatham-Kent.

Members of IAG serve a two-year term and will meet in person four times a year.

Applications are being accepted for all those interested on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent and will be open until February 1^st, 2023.

Contact CK LIP:

Visit CK LIP Website: www.Chatham-Kent.ca/CKLIP

Follow CK LIP on Facebook and Twitter

Contact CK LIP at cklip@chatham-kent.ca

The DEIJ team has created a DEIJ Quiz surrounding various holidays and days of observance that are happening this month!

Test your knowledge by participating in the DEIJ Quiz or by clicking the image below.

Let us know how you did in the comments and feel free to share this quiz with others!

CK Pride is hosting their Annual General Meeting on December 15th at Bill's Place, a new dedicated space for the organization and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

The meeting will be a chance to learn more about the organization and/or become a member. Members will also elect the CK Pride Board. Memberships are available for a low cost of $5 and support CK Pride and are open to anyone who wants to support the organization (allys included!)

Learn more: Annual General Meeting | Facebook

Here's a chance to learn practical ways to respond to racist incidents as well as build de-escalation and active listening skills.

This two-part training is for individuals of all ages who want to move beyond silence and be active upstanders when they see instances of racism or discrimination.

The training includes Bystander 1 and 2, which must be taken consecutively to complete the core training.

Register for Bystander 1 on Thursday, December 1, 6-8:30pm and learn:

• how to recognize and respond to racist incidents
• the history and practices of Bystander Intervention
• strategies to interrupt racism in different contexts and spaces

Participants who register and attend our Bystander 1 session will also be given access to Bystander 2 at no additional cost: Bystander 1 costs $15.

Bystander 2, Monday, December 5, 6-8:30pm teaches:

• how to navigate tough conversations about racism and scenario-based training
• how to de-escalate situations and use active listening skills

Secure your spot in this training on Eventbrite | CA's Bystander Intervention Training: Practical Anti-Racism Tools.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is reviewing its fireworks bylaw and looking for community perspectives through a survey. Part of the review is to ensure that the bylaw reflects the diversity of holidays celebrated in our community. Currently, fireworks can legally be set off in Chatham-Kent on the following days:

• Victoria Day and the three days before and after it
• Canada Day and the three days before and after it
• New Year's Day and New Year's Eve
• Diwali
• Days proclaimed by Municipal Council as suitable for celebration with fireworks.

Share your perspectives in a short survey on Let's Talk Chatham-Kent before 4PM on December 16th.