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May 13 2025: Event of People New to CK
What’s Brewing CK is a casual, community-focused gathering where local partners, newcomers and residents connect over coffee and conversation.Tuesday May 13th, 2025, 6:00- 7:30pmCK Public Library - Wallaceburg Branch (209 James St. Wallaceburg, ON N8A 2N4)This is a great opportunity to share ideas, build connections and stay up to date on what’s happening in Chatham-Kent. Feel free to bring in a colleague or friend - everyone is welcome!Registration not required.Contact cklip@chatham-kent.ca for inquiries.Offered in partnership by Adult Language and Learning, Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership, Living CK, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, CK Public Library, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, Thamesview Family Health Team, United Way Chatham-Kent Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent.
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May 4 2025: Global Bollywood Performance at Capitol Theatre
An eclectic and exuberant celebration of music and dance highlighting India’s film music history! Choreographed, performed and directed by MTV India’s ‘ubbharta sitara’ (rising star) Bageshree Vaze, Global Bollywood brings Bollywood’s best to life, with a stellar, multicultural cast of artists including Vineet Vyas (tabla), Rajib Karmakar (sitar), and dancers Atri Nundy, Adam Martino and Tyrell Black.The show explores the rich and multi-faceted tapestry of Indian popular music from the 1950s until today, from jazz inspired by Benny Goodman to the 60s sound of the Beatles, to Disco and beyond.
Tickets: Use promo code BOLLY to get $25 tickets + handling fee on CKTickets.com
A non-refundable service charge of $1.13 per ticket applies for all online purchases.
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May 2025: Events in Honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People
May 5th is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day. In honour of this day, several events will be held in Chatham-Kent. Scroll down to learn about the day and events.All events listed are open to everyone.
Please contact us DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca if you would like to add other events.
Note: it is appropriate to wear red pins, ties, coats, shirts, to show support, but not to wear a red dress. Read more about the purpose of the red dress below.
About The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People
Also called Red Dress Day, the day honours and brings awareness to the disproportionate violence that Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people face in Canada.
The red dress was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people found that, in Canada:
- Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people are 12x more likely to go missing or be murdered than all other women, and 16x more likely than Caucasian women.
- In the last 30 years, more than 4000 Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people have gone missing or been murdered. That’s about 133 a year or 3 a week.
- Because of persistent forms of oppression (racism, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism), complaints about missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Women, are less likely to be taken seriously or followed up.
The National Inquiry led to 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians.
Local Events
Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:30PM Red Dress Pin Making
Turns & Tales, 213 King Street West, Chatham
$5 per person. All proceeds donated.
Sign up in advance online or by calling 519-354-2233
Sunday, May 4th, 4:00 - 5:00PM
Deshkan Ziibi, 495 King Street West, Chatham
Co-sponsored by: Ska:Na Family Learning Centre; 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre; Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network Social Planning and Action Network Member Table; and Women's Equity Business.
The vigil will have smudge, prayer, hand drums, and guest speakers.
Everyone is welcome.
Supports
This day may be triggering for some people. Help is available.
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people toll-free support phone line (24/7) 1-844-413-6649
Hope for Wellness Help Line (24/7) 1-855-242-3310
Manitoba MMIWG2S Self-Help Resources
Chatham-Kent Victim's Services
Learn More
Read the final report and Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S+ National Inquiry on the National Inquiry website
Visit the National Family and Survivors Circle website
Visit the Amnesty International No More Stolen Sisters website
Find book, video and podcast recommendations on Simon Fraser University’s website
Listen to the local Ode'mini Giizis podcast on Spotify or Youtube
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April is Sikh Heritage Month!
April is Sikh Heritage Month!This month, we celebrate Sikh culture and heritage and honour the important contributions of Sikh community members to our social, economic, political and cultural lives.
Sikhism is one of the world’s youngest religions but is the fifth largest religion in the world. The first wave of settlers who were Sikh arrived in Canada in the early 1900s. Today, Canada has the second largest diaspora of people who are Sikh in the World!
Sikh Heritage Month was first established in Ontario in 2013 and then in Canada in 2019. April was chosen because it is the time that Sikh people observe Vaisakhi, which commemorates the creation of the Khalsa and Sikh articles of faith. Vaisakhi (sometimes spelt Baisakhi) may also be called Khalsa Sanja Diwas. In Chatham-Kent, Vaisakhi is being honoured with a Nagar Kirtan, a Sikh religious parade, on May 4th, 2025 (rescheduled from April 20 due to Easter holiday weekend). This public event is open to people from all communities in the surrounding area to get a taste of Sikh culture and celebrate. See the posters at the bottom of this post for more information.
Happy Vaisakhi to community members honouring this important time in Chatham-Kent!
Learn More:
Find information about local ethno-cultural communities on the Living CK website.
Learn about the history of Sikhs in Canada from:
Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada
Early Concepts (resources for educators)
Sikh National Archives of Canada
Learn about Sikhism and other religions in the workplace from Encounter World Religions.
Sikhism in Canada from Wikipedia
Peel Art Gallery Museum + Archives (PAMA)
Thank you to members of the Sikh Cultural Society Chatham-Kent for reviewing the contents of this post.
For more information about the Sikh Cultural Society Chatham-Kent or the Nagar Kirtan on May 4th, contact the Society at 519.784.1748 or gudwarachathamkent@gmail.com or Dr. Bidhi Singh Bains 519.351.8043 bidhi_bains@hotmail.com
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Nominations for Accessibility Awards Open Until April 30 2025
Chatham-Kent Accessibility Advisory Commitee Awards Call for Nominations 2025
The Accessibility Advisory Commitee (AAC), the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, and Chatham-Kent Council are calling for nominations for this year's annual Accessibility Advisory Committee Awards.
Members of the community are invited to nominate a business or individual they feel should be recognized in one of three categories outlined below.
To fill out a nomination form, complete the form on Let's Talk Chatham-Kent. When completed, hit 'SUBMIT'. Forms can also be submitted to any member of the AAC, by emailing CKinfo@chatham-kent.ca or ck311@chatham-kent.ca, or by dropping them at the Customer Service Desk and 315 King Street West, Chatham.
Deadline for submission is Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Awards will be presented at the June 9, 2025 Council meeting.
Categories:
Dr. Veronica Vaughn Accessible Business Award
Presented to a business that stands out as providing an accessible facility and/or accessible customer service.
Sheila Lindsey Powers Accessibility Advocate Award
Presented to an individual in this community who stands out as an advocate for the inclusion of people of all abilities.
Sid Ebare Perseverance Award
Presented to an individual who stands out as a person who perseveres beyond their limitations to participate in community life.
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Homelessness Response Toolkit
Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) has designed a Homelessness Response Toolkit for local businesses, organizations, and area residents better understand and engage with local homelessness response efforts. The goal is to provide practical guidance, reduce stigma, and encourage compassionate and informed interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness.
The kit includes a quick reference postcard with information on who to call in specific situations, including phone numbers for outreach services, sharps clean-up, shelter, and other essential resources, ensuring that businesses and community members have immediate access to support when needed.
Digital copies can be accessed at www.reachoutck.com/resources.
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New website: Free Food Resources in CK
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Employment and Social Services program has created a website with information for people who may need food assistance, including resources like:
- food banks
- little free pantries
- soup kitchens
- food voucher programs
- drop-in/outreach services.
Visit www.chatham-kent.ca/EmergencyFood or scan the QR code above to go to the website.
These services are here to support individuals and families in our community. Whether you're in immediate need or looking for ongoing assistance, there are options available to help you.
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New Report: Food Insecurity in Chatham-Kent
At the February 2025 Board of Health meeting, CK Public Health released a report about household food insecurity in Chatham-Kent. A few key findings included:
- 1 in 5 households in CK are food insecure
- Many people in CK don't have enough money to buy food
- The root cause of food insecurity is poverty
- Emergency food charity is not a long-term solution.
The report calls on community members and organizations to learn about food insecurity, talk to friends, family, and colleagues about the true causes of food insecurity, and advocate for income solutions.
Find the full report, the above infographic, and more information on the CK Public Health website.
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New Local Book Club: Unbound
New! Unbound Book Club.
For people who may feel bound by the lack of accessibility in our works, join to explore new worlds, unique stories and meet new characters through the word of books.
For young adults (18+) who have a disability or are an ally for the disability community.
September Book Club Pick: The Reading List, by Sara Nisha Adams.
Books chosen based on availability in both print and audiobook formats.
September 18, 2024, 7-9PM. Turns & Tales Bookstore. 213 King St W, Unit 2, Chatham.
For more information contact 226-626-6585 or erin.genge@gmail.com
Future meeting dates:
October 23, 2024; November 20, 2024; December 18, 2024.