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

November 8th is Indigenous Veterans Day and November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada.

These days are a chance for us to recognize the courage, contributions, and sacrifices of Veterans who serves our Country. We remember. We honour. We are grateful.

Find a list of local Remembrance Day events on CKXS website: LIST OF REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENTS IN CHATHAM-KENT - 99.1 FM CKXS | Your Music Variety

Find names and stories of World War I and World War II heroes from Chatham-Kent: Gathering Our Heroes – Chatham-Kent's WWI & WWII Veterans

Learn about Remembrance Day: Remembrance Day - Canada.ca

Learn about Indigenous Veterans Day: Indigenous Veterans | Veterans Affairs Canada

Learn about Black Canadians in Uniform: Black Canadians in uniform | Veterans Affairs Canada

Learn about Women in Service Women in service | Veterans Affairs Canada

Learn about 2SLGBTQIA+ in Service Pride in service | Veterans Affairs Canada

Visit the Storybook Trail in Kingston Park to read "The Little Red Flower: A Story of Remembrance" by Christopher Stokes.

Visit the CK Museum until November 12 to see a panel exhibit that reflects Chatham-Kent's experiences during the First World War. Images and descriptions courtesy of Ley and Lois Smith Collection in the Department of History at Western University.

During Transgender Awareness Week, every year from November 13th to 19th, individuals and organizations recognize the experiences and contributions of transgender and gender diverse people and communities. The week-long celebration leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, an annual observance honoring the lives lost to acts of transphobic violence and systemic oppression.

Whether you are celebrating your trans pride or engaging in education and advocacy as an ally, Transgender Awareness Week is a time for showing up, speaking up, and supporting one another.

Friday, November 13, 12:00 - 12:30 PM,

Transgender Awareness Week Flag Raising

Civic Centre, Chatham (315 King Street West)

Open to everyone. Organized by CK Pride.

Flag raisings, like those for Transgender Awareness Week, affirm that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. They demonstrate a commitment to human rights and a welcoming community.

Join the Chatham-Kent Asian Cultural Association for Diwali in Chatham-Kent 2026, an evening celebrating the festival of lights!

Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, 285 McNaughton Ave East, Chatham.

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner (registration required)

7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Cultural programme (free and open to all)

For dinner registration: Scan the QR code above or visit Diwali in CK 2026 - Dinner Registration

For more information: 519-401-3162 or ckaca.events@gmail.com

Supported by Riverview Gaming Centre.

About Diwali

Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. It is the biggest and one of the most important holidays for many people in our community. The festival began as a Hindu celebration but is now celebrated by many communities with different legends associated with the festival. What remains consistent across the legends is the theme of good triumphing over evil.

Diwali (or Deepavali) means row of lights in Sanskrit. This is why Diyas (a traditional lamp) and fireworks are important symbols during the festival. These symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Diwali is celebrated over 5 days and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. Over these days, people clean and decorate their homes, shop for gold items to bring good fortune, draw Rangoli, lights fireworks, pray, feast, share gifts, and visit with family and friends.

The exact dates Diwali is honoured change each year and are determined by the position of the moon. Usually, Diwali falls in October or November.

Connect with provincial ministries and funding organizations about upcoming grant programs, eligibility requirements, application timelines, and funding priorities.

Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Studio One, Chatham Cultural Centre, 75 William Street North, Chatham

Registration is required. Register at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness website to compete your registration.

Join the Western Ontario Fall Funders Forum Series. This in-person event is a valuable opportunity to:

• Learn about funding programs and deadlines

• Understand eligibility and application expectations

• Connect with ministry representatives and regional stakeholders

• Ask questions and gain insights in a supportive setting

Participants will hear presentations from representatives of:

• Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA)

• Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT)

• Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD)

• Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG)

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)

• Community Futures

• Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres

Please feel free to share this opportunity with any organizations, businesses, operators, or community partners that may be interested in applying for grant funding

November 25, 2026, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.

In honour of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, join Chatham-Kent Coordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women to raise their flag.

Then, join Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent for 'Zonta Says No on the Bridge" from 12:15 - 12:45 on Third Street Bridge. The event is to raise awareness and be in solidarity against gender-based violence. Participants are encouraged to wear orange or purple.

Everyone welcome.

Youth engagement matters in a healthy democracy because the repercussions from decisions made today are theirs to live with and resolve; because youth perspective is valuable and improves decisions; and because democratic engagement is a habit best formed early.

AMO Youth Fellowship Program

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario's (AMO) Youth Fellowship Program is a work-integrated learning opportunity that provides three young people from across Ontario who are interested in municipal politics with an opportunity to connect with Ontario’s most influential municipal advocacy organization.

Participants engage with AMO’s governing Board of Directors, receive mentorship from an AMO Board member, have firsthand insight into the critical municipal issues of the day and the policy development process that supports Ontario’s municipalities. AMO Youth Fellows also have front row seats as AMO engages important advocacy mechanisms and approaches in supporting their membership.

AMO is now accepting applications for the 2027 Youth Fellowship Program.

To learn more about the fellowship structure, expectations, activities, and application process, please review the Application Form. If you have any questions, please email WGardiner@amo.on.ca.

Application Deadline: November 27, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET

Information Session

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual information session on November 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET to learn more about the program.

During the session, participants will receive an overview of the program, including expectations, time commitments, and the benefits of participating in the Youth Fellowship experience.

Learn more from the AMO Youth Engagement website.

Family Service Kent introduces Project Pathways, Hate-Motivated Incident Counselling and Referral Service.

You are not alone. Support is available. Project Pathways provides free counselling and referral support for children over 6, youth, and adults who have been affected by hate-motivated incidents.

Hate-motivated incidents may include:

- harassment, discrimination, or intimidation

- threats or violence or harm

- discrimination or unfair treatment

The incidents may be related to:

- race, colour, religion, creed

- sexual orientation or gender identity

- disability

- cultural background

- personal characteristics

How can Project Pathways Help?

Counselling Support

- a safe and respectful place to talk

- help understand the impact of the incident

- tools to cope with stress and strong feelings

- support based on your needs and culture

Referrals and Connections

- help finding other community services

- support connecting with the right service

- clear information about available options

- coordination with community partners when needed

Ready to Connect?

Support is available by self-referral, police, community organizations, friends, or family member.

Call: 519-354-6221 x 233

Email: intake@familyservicekent.com

www.familyservicekent.com/services/community-counselling-program/

Funded by the government of Ontario through the Safer and Vital Communities Grant.

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.