On Friday, September 16th from 2:00pm-7:00pm at 10 Merritt Avenue, Chatham-Kent the Active Lifestyle Centre will be hosting a National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day event.

Attendees will be able to purchase orange hoodies and shirt at the event, and proceeds will go to local Truth and Reconciliation efforts.

Entry and tours will be free for the event, there will be over 50+ vendors, programs, and services present, and a free pasta dinner will be provided.

View the poster below to find more details.

Chatham-Kent Welcome Week will be celebrated across CK, from September 9th to 18th, 2022. Chatham-Kent Welcome Week provides the opportunity to connect newcomers to services in Chatham-Kent, to celebrate their contributions to the community through storytelling, and to promote diversity in our community. The week acts as a celebration, while efforts to support and welcome new residents to Chatham-Kent continue throughout the year. Click here to find out more information, how to get involved, and see a list of events and activities planned for the week! Hope to see you there.

Chatham-Kent Welcome Week is right around the corner! Join newcomers and established immigrants for this fun event. Check out the flyer below for more details!

See Different is a two-part, online DEI training and certification program for youth.

This program is offered free of charge to all students enrolled in a Canadian high school, college, or university, between the ages of 15-24. This age range is based on the UN definition of youth, and exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Topics include:

• Dimensions of diversity
• Equity and inclusion
• Power and privilege
• Bias, prejudice, and discrimination
• Allyship
• Conflict mediation
• Safe and brave spaces
• Social action

Read more and register for this program by clicking here.

Test your knowledge!

The DEIJ team has created a monthly quiz to raise awareness about some of the days of observance happening this month. Test your knowledge and learn about some of the important days in September here or scan the QR Code below.

Each year on August 31^st, individuals, families, organizations, and communities across Canada and around the world observe International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This day sheds light on the causes of drug poisonings, including drug policies, the toxic unregulated drug supply, and other intersecting health and social inequities like racism, capitalism, colonialism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, xenophobia, and stigma.

While substance use affects people from all walks of life, because of the systemic forms of oppression mentioned above, the impacts of the drug poisoning epidemic are experienced disproportionately by certain groups, including Black and Indigenous communities, people who are unhoused, people who are 2SLGBTQ+, women, youth, and rural and remote communities.

Drug Poisonings in Canada & Chatham-Kent

Today, in Canada, 22 people will die due to toxic drug poisoning.

From 2016 to 2021, the rates of opioid-related Emergency Department (ED) visits and opioid poisoning deaths experienced in Chatham-Kent have increased more than 400%. The pandemic years have brought about the largest spike in ED visits and death rates, which have more than doubled since 2019. In the first quarter of 2022, there have already been 9 opioid-related deaths in Chatham-Kent, putting CK’s rate above the provincial average and among the highest across Ontario.

Outreach workers who support people who use substances in Chatham-Kent at a First-Responder and Overdose Response training through Heart2Heart.

“These are not just numbers; these are people. They are parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. And their tragic deaths, and the pain experienced by their families and friends, are preventable.” - Scott Roose, Director, Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council

These rates don’t capture the true picture of drug poisonings in our community and the weight carried by those living through this crisis. Many people do not seek care after experiencing a poisoning for various reasons, including fear of stigma or criminalization. The CK Drug Awareness Council (CKDAC) and many community partners are working to change this narrative for our community.

International Overdose Awareness Day Events in Chatham-Kent

It is more important than ever to come together as a community to remember those who have died, honour the grief of family and friends left behind, and take action to end the drug poisoning epidemic.

Join the CKDAC on August 31^st anytime from 3:00-8:00pm at Hope Haven in Chatham or James St. Drop-In Centre in Wallaceburg to share memories, stories, support, and resources. In the spirit of remembrance and coming together, the events will also include food and refreshments, local musical talent, art therapy activities, naloxone training and substance use education.

To honour the day, wear a purple shirt or ribbon.

Ending Drug Poisonings

While International Overdose Awareness Day is an important day to remember and take action, there are things we can all do every day to reduce stigma for people who use drugs and end drug poisonings. Here is what you can do to help:

A Time to Remember:

• Paint a stone purple and write a message to someone who uses drugs to help them know they are loved and not alone. Give the stone to someone you love or place it in a safe public space that is meaningful to you for others to see
• Share stories of why you love someone who is impacted by the drug poisoning epidemic to honour their journey and help reduce stigma
• Offer space and a listening ear to someone who has been affected by the drug poisoning epidemic
• Post on the International Overdose Awareness Day Memoriam Wall
• Conversations about substance use can be difficult. Reach out to someone you trust or call the Mental Health First Response Line 1-866-299-7447
• Know that you are not alone and it’s okay to feel what you are feeling

A Time to Act:

• Learn how to respond to a toxic drug poisoning, carry naloxone, and encourage others to get training
• Learn about how drug policies contribute to drug poisonings from the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition
• Use person first language when talking about substance use
• Challenge stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours. Pause and reflect on why you think or feel a certain way. Try to stay curious and open to learning and adopting more compassionate, person-centered views and approaches
• Complete the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Overcoming Stigma: Online Learning modules
• Gain a richer understanding of harm reduction through CATIE’s Harm Reduction Fundamentals toolkit for service providers
• Attend a CKDAC general membership meeting to learn about work being done in our community to increase awareness, safety, and compassion around substance use
• Follow @CKDAC on Facebook and Instagram or go to www.ckdac.ca for a list of local supports for people who use substances and the people around them

Flag Raising Ceremony

Yesterday afternoon The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice team with Corporate Communication had the honour of participating in a flag raising ceremony to mark the beginning of Pride 2022!

"...More than 75 people turned out at the Civic Centre today for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the beginning of Pride Week 2022. Marianne Willson of CKPride called Chatham-Kent’s recognition of the annual event “spectacular” noting that for the first time the Pride Flag will fly at municipal service centres across the community. Acting Mayor Counc. Jamie McGrail said she’s proud the community is becoming more inclusive and noted that the week’s events “are for everybody.” Included among the week’s events are a display at the Chatham-Kent Library, a barbeque, trivia night and pub night. The week concludes with a parade, a festival at Tecumseh Park and a church service at St. Andrews United Church. Throughout the week, Willson said people are encouraged to share pictures and videos in support of CK Pride through social media. Check out the municipal social media accounts for images and for details on events visit https://www.facebook.com/PrideCK/"

-Corporate Initiatives, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Did you know the meaning behind the Pride Flag?

The Pride flag is more than just a rainbow of colours, it was designed in 1978 as a “symbol of hope” and liberation. Each colour on the traditional Pride flag has a meaning: red is life, orange is healing, yellow is sunlight, green is nature, blue is serenity and purple is spirit. The flag has been updated several times through the years to better reflect the diversity within 2SLGBTQ+ communities and groups who have historically faced oppression and discrimination in Pride movements. In 2018 V shapes stripes were added – blue, pink and white to incorporate trans communities and brown and black to include BIPOC communities. In 2021, a purple ring on a yellow background was added to reflect intersex communities. Visit a Municipal service center to see the Pride flags hanging in person!

This week is Pride Week in Chatham-Kent!

We are celebrating the diverse Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer or Questioning (2SLGBTQ+) people and communities in Chatham-Kent!

We will be celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ communities with the 1st Municipality of CK Pride Parade Entry on Saturday, August, 20th! Follow CK Pride to learn more about all the activities taking place this week.

On SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 AT 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Kingston Park, Adult Language and Learning will be hosting a Newcomer Picnic. Everyone is welcomed, hope to see you there! For more information, call: 519-354-7424.

Operation Black Vote Canada’s Bootcamp 2022 is hosting a two day basic training to support Black community members interested in running or participating in municipal election campaigns.

Sessions will focus on:

Day 1:

• Setting up Campaign
• Canvassing
• Communications

Day 2:

• Fundraising
• Election Day

To register, please email events@obvc.ca before August 15th.