Please click here to find more information for a half-day online learning opportunity for service providers. This online conference will provide you with tools and contextual understanding you will require to effectively interact with individuals of Low German background. This conference will provide a look into Low German Mennonite cultural values, and building awareness on how to better serve the community as a result of the pandemic as well.

Click here to register:

When: April 29, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: Online

Cost to register: $10 ($5 for volunteers and non-profit workers)

Please reach out if you have any feedback, comments, questions, or concerns.

Thank you,

Your DEIJ Team

On March 31^st, Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is observed around the world to celebrate the lives, contributions, and activism of Trans people. The day was founded in 2009 by transgender activist Rachel Crandell of Michigan, who wanted to acknowledge and celebrate transgender people. Although Trans and Two Spirit* people continue to face barriers and discrimination, Trans Day of Visibility is a day for us to recognize, honour, and celebrate the ways in which Trans and Two Spirit people enrich our communities.

We envision a Municipality of Chatham-Kent where everyone feels able to live their authentic selves. We can support Trans and Two Spirit people in our workforce, our families, and in our community to live authentically by:

1. Assuming there are Trans and Two Spirit people in our workplace and community.

Try not to make assumptions. We can’t assume we’ll know if someone is Trans and we don’t really know anyone’s gender identity, no matter how they present.

2. Educating ourselves about Trans and Two Spirit people and communities, including accomplishments and barriers people and communities have experienced (see the links at the bottom of this post).

Trans and Two Spirit people have existed across cultures and throughout history and there is great diversity within Trans and Two Spirit communities.

3. Using inclusive terminology and language when asking or talking about sex or gender (and considering whether we need to ask or use gendered terms at all).

For example, on surveys, intake forms, job applications and in hiring processes.

Avoid saying Mr, Mrs, Madam, Sir, etc. and find gender neutral alternatives. i.e. ‘person in the green shirt’ vs ‘woman in the front’.

4. Listening to the pronouns people use for themselves or politely identifying your pronouns, then asking for theirs.

If you accidentally use the wrong pronouns, apologize, and move on.

5. Avoiding identifying someone as Trans unless you have their permission.

6. Avoiding asking about private details of someone's life or body.

7. Supporting or providing all-gender restrooms.

To learn more, explore the resources below or connect with Rebecca or Amrit.

Today, and every day, we acknowledge, appreciate, and honour Trans and Two Spirit members of our community!

If you have feedback, comments, questions, or concerns about this post, please use the comment section below or contact Rebecca or Amrit.

Resources:

Trans Wellness Ontario

Located in Windsor. Support Transgender, Genderqueer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, Queer and Questioning communities and families.

Sign up for an evening virtual Trans Day of Visibility event here.

See their ‘Resources’ section for education materials, including a glossary of terms.

Facebook or Instagram.

Rainbow Health

Resources for healthcare system, but relevant for many sectors.

Trans LifeLine

A grassroots hotline run by and for Trans people offering direct support to Trans people who are in crisis.

Queer Events

Learn more about Trans community members and Trans justice milestones in Canada.

Egale Canada

Trans Day of Visibility resources, including resources on inclusive and affirming language.

CK Pride

Bring together members of Two Spirit, Trans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer communities within Chatham-Kent.

Trans 101: The Basics

A short video on the basics of understanding Trans terminology.

Trans 101: Trans People of Colour

A short video on understanding Trans people in Indigenous and racialized communities.

What to Do If You Misgender Someone

A short video on how to respond if you misgender someone.

*Trans can be used as a term for people whose gender identity is different than what was assigned at birth. Trans can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone who does not identify as ‘cisgender’. People can use many different terms to describe their sense of gender and there are a number of other terms that carry cultural and historical roots in communities. For more information, see the links above.

Two Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous and First Nations people to describe having both a male and female spirit within them. The term reflects understandings of gender, gender roles, spirituality, and the history of sexual and gender diversity in Indigenous cultures. Traditionally, Two Spirit people held significant cultural roles in Indigenous communities.

April 2^nd is World Autism Awareness Day and April is World Autism Month, a month to recognize and bring awareness about the experiences, strengths, and differences of people who are on the autism spectrum, their families, caregivers, and communities.

About Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of conditions related to brain development that impact how people perceive, learn about, socialize, and communicate with the world around them. Approximately 135,000 Ontarian's are on the autism spectrum (Prevalence Rates | Autism Ontario). Autism crosses all cultural, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups, however, experiences with ASD are diverse.

"If you've met one person who has autism, you've met one person with autism" - Stephen Shore

Because autism exists on a spectrum, the degree to which people experience symptoms and the amount of support needed varies widely. Every person with autism has different experiences, strengths, and challenges. These are also influenced by whether people have co-occurring health conditions, the accessibility and relative safety of the environment people are in, and whether people have access to appropriate supports.

Some people prefer to use the term neurodiversity to describe and normalize the wide range of ways our brain’s function and the diverse ways that people think, process information, learn, and function in day-to-day life. Considering neurodivergence or recognizing that many people are not ‘neurotypical’ helps us to think about how our communities and workplaces can include, support, and provide equitable opportunities for people on the autism spectrum to participate, be engaged, and thrive.

Supporting People on the Autism Spectrum at Work

As more organizations work to increase diversity within their workforce, many are also considering neurodivergence and seeing it as a strength. Diversity, in all its forms, is good for business. People who are on the autism spectrum, like everyone else, have many unique skills and perspectives. Unfortunately, due to inaccessible workplaces and implicit hiring biases, people on the autism spectrum can have a hard time finding employment. A recent survey by the Government of Canada found that 33% of people surveyed living with ASD specifically were employed. Creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for people on the autism spectrum benefits everyone and ensures we’re living up to our requirements under the Human Rights Code.

Some ways to support people on the autism spectrum in our workplace include:

• Learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodivergence more broadly.
• Develop inclusive recruitment processes that make it clear that neurodivergent people are welcome in the organization.
• Partner with organizations that pair employers with people who are on the autism spectrum.
• Remove barriers related to electronic application processes and consider alternative interview structures.
• Engage in training to be aware of biases and look beyond social differences.
• Set up Mentorship Opportunities for people with ASD.
• Provide clear expectations, concise, and specific instructions.
• Provide sensitive, but direct feedback.
• Consider the sensory stimuli in the workplace (fragrances, lighting, sounds, etc.)
• Adhere to AODA standards in the workplace.
• Work collaboratively with people who live with ASD to best understand their strengths and needs.

Supporting Customers and Clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Every person on the autism spectrum will have unique needs. Remember, the person or the people who support them usually know best what will be most helpful. People on the autism spectrum may experience challenges with communication or interactions, social imagination (putting oneself in another’s shoes), and sensory inputs. Some options you may offer to support people on the autism spectrum include:

• Arrange appointments/visits at a less busy time of day
• Consider how to temper or lower background noise, movement, or lighting
• Keep sentences short – be clear and concise
• Allow time for the person to process the information and respond
• Understand the person may take what you say literally
• Consider 1-1 interactions
• Don’t force eye contact
• Understand that the person may use certain behaviours (i.e. hand flapping, pacing) to ease their anxiety or to cope
• Be specific about what is going to happen or is happening – creating a visual guide or social story can be helpful

Many of these approaches will benefit various people, not just people on the autism spectrum.

During World Autism month, we recognize our colleagues and community members who are, or who care for people, on the autism spectrum. We encourage colleagues and community members to learn more about autism and how to support a welcoming and inclusive Municipality of Chatham-Kent that honours our neurodiversity.

Resources

Autism Ontario

• West Region Chapter
• Celebrate the Spectrum
• Autism Career Connection (education about how to design inclusive work environments)

If you have feedback, comments, questions, or concerns, please leave a comment below or contact Rebecca or Amrit.

Ramadan is coming!

Ramadan is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, Ramadan takes place from April 2^nd- May 1^st. It commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an (Islam’s holy book) to the Prophet Muhammed and is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, Muslim people all over the world renew their spiritual commitment and practice self-discipline, self-sacrifice, patience, and heightened virtue. Ramadan may be observed in many ways including fasting, acts of charity, reflections, and prayer.

About Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion (belief that there is one God, Allah). As with other religions, people who practice Islam (people who are Muslim) are diverse, with varying beliefs, sects, levels of adherence, and interpretations. There are over 1.8 billion Muslims globally, which makes up almost a quarter of the world’s population! This makes Islam the second largest and fastest growing religion in the world.

About Ramadan

Keeping in mind the diversity within Islam, typically, Ramadan involves some form of fasting, from sunrise to sunset, for about a month. This fasting is known as sawm, which means to refrain from not only food, but also drink, evil actions, thoughts, or words. Sawm is one of the five core pillars of Islam. Before dawn, suhoor takes place, which is the meal before the fast begins. At dusk, iftar, the meal the fast is broken with, takes place. Typically, iftar is a social and communal meal where many will gather to eat together, and mosques (places of worship) will offer food to those in need.

Ramadan may also be observed through prayer, charity (also known as Zakat in the five pillars of Islam), gathering with others, and reflecting on spirituality in relation to Islam.

The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr. This is known as the Festival of Fast-Breaking and is celebrated over several days with prayer, social gatherings, gift exchanges, and donations.

Ramadan in Chatham-Kent

In Chatham-Kent, Muslim communities are growing. Chatham-Kent is now home to a Chatham-Kent Muslim Association and the Chatham Islamic Centre, which opened in February.

As we work towards diversity, equity, inclusion & justice in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, we are striving to create a welcoming and supportive environment for Muslim Communities.

We can all help to support colleagues and communities celebrating Ramadan by:

1) Recognizing the diversity within the Islam Faith and people who are Muslim.

People may practice their faith in different ways. Try not to make assumptions about someone’s faith or the way the practice it.

2) Offering Greetings.

Ramadan Mubarak (have a happy Ramadan) or Ramadan Kareem (have a blessed Ramadan).

3) Recognizing that not all people who celebrate Ramadan will fast.

While some people who are Muslim may be OK with asking if they are fasting, it’s not appropriate to ask why, if someone is not. Fasting is a personal choice and there are various personal reasons people may choose not to fast.

4) Being aware of Ramadan period & asking what support is needed.

Fasting 17 hours a day is not easy. Even people not fasting may be engaging in more intensified worship. Ask what team members need and how you can be supportive. Remember that the Human Rights Code requires employers to allow people to observe periods of prayer at particular times of day and to take time off to observe a religious holiday. Some examples of support include:

• Offer flexible start and finish times or offering the ability to swap shifts to accommodate any needs.
• Avoid asking people who are fasting to attend lunch meetings or other events where food or drink will be served.
• Enable people to take breaks at sunset to break their fast and pray.
• Schedule meetings in the morning and avoid late in the afternoon when people’s energy levels wane.
• Avoid evening events, as this time is often reserved for prayers, eating and gatherings.
• Be prepared for people to take time off at the end of Ramadan to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. This is a significant event for people who are Muslim and a chance to gather and celebrate with family and community.

Learn More:

Muslim Advisory Council of Canada Ramadan Toolkit

CBC – Learning More About Ramadan

Islam and the Welcoming Workplace

• Requires sign up for their newsletter, but a great resource!

Ramadan Mubarak!

Have comments, questions, or feedback about this post? Feel free to comment below or contact Rebecca or Amrit.

For over 400 years, more than 18 million people, including children, were forcefully removed from Africa to the Americas (including Canada) and Europe. For those who survived the horrific passage, thousands would later perish as a result of the cruel and inhumane ways they were treated and conditions they lived in.[1] Although we often hear about slavery in the context of the United States, African people who were enslaved were brought to Canada from the earliest days of Colonial settlements.

In commemoration and memory of the victims, in 2007, the United Nations established the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and called on member Countries to use the day to promote understanding of the causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade. The day is also meant to recognize the heroic actions of people who were enslaved and abolitionists who lived, resisted, and acted in the face of grave danger and adversity.

On March 25^th, and every day, we recognize and remember:

• the people who suffered, sacrificed, and experienced the horrors of slavery for all of our freedom
• the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade that continue to impact the descendants of victims including ongoing social, cultural, economic and health inequities
• the ongoing existence and potential impacts of racism, prejudice, and inequities
• the resistance and resilience of racialized people, families, and communities
• the modern forms of slavery, forced labour, and human trafficking that people across the World, including in Canada, continue to experience

We encourage colleagues to learn about the transatlantic slave trade, the challenges people escaping the slave trade faced in our area, and the resilience of racialized and, in particular, people and communities of African heritage who played a large role in shaping Chatham-Kent by visiting:

Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

• Visit the site in-person by appointment or virtually. Learn through online educational resources.

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum

• Visit the site in-person by appointment or take a virtual tour. Visit their website to learn more.

Let Us March on Till Victory Is Won: The Struggle for Racial Equity in Chatham-Kent and Ontario Exhibit

• Visit the exhibit in-person at the CK Museum or online.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site

• Visit virtually and learn about local history online.

Learn more about the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade:

UNESCO Slave Route Project

The Ark of Return Memorial

If you have any feedback, questions, or comments about this post, please contact Rebecca Haskell-Thomas rebeccah@chatham-kent.ca or Amrit Khaira amritk@chatham-kent.ca.

International Francophonie Day (Journée internationale de la Francophonie) is observed every March 20th to celebrate the French language and Francophone culture.

The International Day of La Francophonie is an opportunity to highlight the beauty of the Canadian Francophonie in all its richness and diversity as well as its traditions that continue to shape identities.

Created in 1988, the date celebrates the signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger on 20 March 1970. The Convention established the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, the precursor to the International Organization of La Francophonie, an international organization representing countries and regions where French is a customary language, where a significant proportion of the population are francophones (French speakers), or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture. The organization comprises 88 member states and governments, including Canada.

Chatham-Kent is home to a vibrant francophone population. In the 2016 Census, 7% of Chatham-Kent community members said they spoke both French and English, and 3% identified French as their mother tongue. In fact, Tilbury and Dover areas are Francophone designated areas under the French Language Services Act, indicating that the province strives to offer services in English and French.

We wish all of our Francophone colleagues and community members Joyeuse Journée internationale de la Francophonie!

Have comments, concerns, or feedback about this post? Please reach out to Rebecca or Amrit.

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate the accomplishments of women and highlight the need for gender equality. Here, equality means that everyone should have the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities, regardless of their gender. International Women’s Day originated from labour movements in the early twentieth century and calls for women’s equality.

Workforce and workplace are one area of focus for our Municipal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy. Although gender is just one facet of identity, we thought we’d share information about women in the workforce and actions we can take.

Did you know, in Canada….

• Although women make up just over half of the Canadian population, women are still underrepresented in political and professional leadership in Canada. Racialized women, Indigenous women, and women with disabilities are even less likely to be in leadership positions.
• Since 2020, 10x as many women as men have fallen out of the labour force.
• On average, women who work full time earn 76.8 cents for every dollar men make, despite the fact that women are just as qualified
  • 35% of women had a university certificate or degree, compared to 30% of men (2015).
  • Women and men in this study had been with their employers for the same amount of time, on average.
  • The average earning is even lower for women who are racialized, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and women who are newcomers.

Read more about the inequities women face here.

Why do these inequities exist?

• Fields that are dominated by women or involve caretaking tend to have lower wages
• Women still take on the majority of home-based labour and childcare responsibilities, leading more women to work part time
• Lack of affordable childcare leaves women with fewer options to work outside the home
• Women tend to take more time away from work when children are born or even for shorter durations when children or other family members are sick

What’s the impact?

• Women are over-represented in precarious work
• Women who do not see themselves represented in leadership roles may not feel they are qualified for those roles (regardless of their actual qualifications)
• Absences from work are stigmatized and are linked to fewer promotions and salary increases
• Women are at higher risk of living in poverty
  • The risk is higher for Indigenous women, racialized women, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomer women, and women living with disabilities
• Income and economic stability (or lack off) impact women’s health, well-being, safety, & quality of life

What can we do?

• Learn more about the accomplishments of women and the inequities women experience
• Support organizations that help women
• Support businesses owned by women
• Consider how issues in your work uniquely impact women
  • Gather and use data by gender
    • We can only count what we measure – options should be inclusive in recognition of the spectrum of ways people may identify their gender
• Use neutral terminology in job descriptions and consider what is truly a must in terms of ‘required’ skills and qualifications
• Create pathways to leadership for women, including mentorship and professional development opportunities
• Support affordable quality childcare

On International Women's Day, we acknowledge the women who have forged pathways, and encourage everyone to take action throughout the year to support all women to thrive.

Please share this survey with folks you are in contact with who may not have access to it through social media channels.

The CKOHT’s equity table has a 2SLGBTQ+ sub-group. The members of this group include 2SLGBTQ+ professionals, volunteers from the community, and allies who are advising on the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Chatham-Kent with the aim of improving the experiences of services, as well as the services provided locally.

We are asking anyone whose experience of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is diverse, living in Chatham-Kent or who has recently left Chatham-Kent, to complete a confidential, anonymous survey to broaden the number of people whose experiences will inform our advocacy, plans for training, education. The survey can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWZG62K

On February 7th, we'll be sharing a high level overview of how we'll develop our Municipal Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategy.

Read the Report to Council here.

If you have comments, questions, ideas, or concerns about the report, please connect with Rebecca or Amrit.