Jammin' at the Cabin: Soul Food Dinner & Live Music

Saturday, September 26th from 4:00–8:00 p.m.

An evening of incredible live music, delicious food, and community at the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.

Enjoy a delicious full-course Soul Food Dinner catered by Zimmi Wingz and Tingz while enjoying an amazing lineup of live entertainment featuring:

Denise Pelley with pianist Nevin Campbell
The Silvertones featuring Ms. Debi Guy
Jazzus Ensemble
Darren Middleton

Tickets are $35 and include your full-course meal and an evening of live entertainment.
Beverages will be available for purchase.
Bring your lawn chairs!

All funds raised will support the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum Summer Student Staffing Program, helping provide meaningful summer employment opportunities for young people at the Buxton Museum.

Get your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/.../jammin-at-the-cabin-soulful...

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, local events, and how to learn more.

About Orange Shirt Day

The Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation and Survivor of the residential school system (also called residential institutions).

When Phllis was six years old and preparing to attend a residential institution, her grandmother bought her a new orange shirt. When she arrived, the shirt was taken from her. This experience became a symbol of the loss, mistreatment, and lasting harm experienced by Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential institutions.

Today, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led day of remembrance, reflection, and learning. It honours Survivors, the children who never returned home, and the families and communities affected by the residential school system. September 30 was chosen because it marks the time of year when many Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and sent to residential institutions.

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day through the Orange Shirt Society or by reading Phyllis's Orange Shirt.

About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday in 2021 following a Call to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

It is a day to learn about the truth about Canada's history, including the harms caused by residential institutions and other colonial policies. It is also a reminder that reconciliation is an ongoign responsibility. Through learning, relationship building, and meaningful action, each of us has a role to play in supporting healing, jusitce, and reconciliation.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day on the Government of Canada website.

Note: As part of learning 'truth', events and learning resources listed below may include discussions about residential institutions, colonization, racism, violence, loss, and intergenerational trauma. Please use discretion and take care of your wellbeing and access support if needed. Support resources are listed below.

Supports

You are not alone. Support is available.

If learning about residential institutions and the impacts of colonization bring up difficult emotions, consider reaching out to family, friends, Elders, community supports, or professional services. The following resources are available 24 hours a day:

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help 24/7 to all Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 1-855-242-3310 (toll free) or online chat www.hopeforwellness.ca

National Residential School Crisis Line provides 24/7 crisis support to former Residential School students and their families. 1-866-925-4419 (toll free)

Chatham-Kent Victim’s Services support local residents after traumatic experiences, but is not a mental health crisis service (call 911 in case of emergency). 519-436-6630 – leave a voicemail with name, reason for calling, call-back number.

Local Events

Events and descriptions will be updated as more information becomes available. To add an event, contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca

Note: Events may include discussions about residential institutions, colonization, racism, violence, loss, and intergenerational trauma. Please take care of your wellbeing and access support if needed. Support resources are listed above.

Wear orange and join events below to listen, learn, reflect, and consider how each of us can support healing, justice, and reconciliation in our communities.

All events are free and open to everyone, unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Paint with Moses

Spirit and Life Centre, Chatham

Open to ages 12 and up. Register before September 21.

Join the Truth and Reconciliation Action Table of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes for an educational workshop with First Nations artist Moses Lunham. This meaningful event offers an opportunity to learn more about the 94 Calls to Action, deepen understanding of Indigenous experiences, and reflect on our shared responsibility toward Truth and Reconciliation.

Monday, September 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

Survivor's Flag Raising & Information Booths

Chatham Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham

Partnership with Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Monday, September 28, 2026, 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Meet & Greet and Networking

Deshkan Ziibi, 495 King Street West, Chatham

Following the flag raising, join Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, and partners for refreshments and networking.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m.

Caldwell First Nation Orange Shirt Day

Caldwell First Nation Community Hall, 14 Orange Street, Leamington

Caldwell First Nation is hosting a community-led gathering on Caldwell's Traditional Territory to honour children who did not return home, Survivor's or residential schools, and their families, and support intergenerational healing through remembrance, ceremony, drumming and dancing. Meet at the Community Hall by 9:30. Smudge, walk down Erie Street to Roma Club. Everyone welcome. Contact Carrrie Ann cultural.dev@caldwellfirstnation.ca for more information.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

5th annual Healing Walk & Gathering

Wallaceburg

Join a meaningful walk and gathering to honour local Survivors of residential institutions. Walk begins at Wallaceburg Library and ends at Civic Square Park for the gathering. Please feel free to bring lawn chairs. Partnership between Giyakiishchigewin, Walpole Island Employment & Training and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Orange Shirt Day Activities and Walk of Reconciliation

St. Clair College Chatham Campus - 1001 Grand Ave W

Come together to honour Survivors of the residential school system, their families, and to remember those who did not return. The event will foster dialogue and learning about Canada's colonial history and how it continues to impact Indigenous communities today. 11:00 a.m. flag raising. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation live stream Room W1028. Orange Shirt Pin activity and Indigenous Craft Vendors Front Lobby. 12:30 p.m. Walk of Reconciliation from Front Entrance. Organized by St. Clair College Indigenous Student Services.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Screening of Meadowlarks

Chatham Capitol Theatre

Inspired by true events, Meadowlarks follows four Cree siblings who were separated as children through Canada’s Sixties Scoop and reunite for the first time as adults. Over the course of a weekend in Banff, they confront their pasts, explore their identities, and begin a journey toward healing, understanding, and family connection. This moving Canadian drama offers a powerful story of resilience, reconciliation, and hope. Sponsored by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice team and Chatham-Kent Film Group.

Continue Learning

Can't attend an event in person? There are many ways to learn on September 30 and throughout the year. Listen to Survivors, explore Indigenous voices and perspectives, and deepen your understanding of the history and ongoing impacts of residential institutions and colonization.

E-Learning

Daily Lunch and Learns from the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation - September 21 - 25, 1:00 - 2:00p.m.

Join daily Lunch and Learn webinars – an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. Aimed at an adult audience, and open to the public. Hosted virtually over Zoom Webinar and streamed to YouTube. Includes simultaneous English-French, and ASL interpretation. Presented with the gracious support of Enbridge and the Canadian Public Health Association.

Advancing Re(al)conciliation - Free eLearning

RBC is sponsoring an online self-paced course from First Nations University. Anyone in Canada can take this for free.

Listen:

A Day to Listen (September 30th)

Tune in to your favourite local radio station to learn about moving reconciliation forward in meaningful ways. Learn more from the Downie & Wenjack Fund website.

Unreserved

A CBC radio space for Indigenous voices. Host Rosanne Deerchild guides listeners on the path to better understand our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations.

Watch:

Remembering the Children: Live Event Broadcast - September 30, 12:00 p.m.

Watch the national event at Parliament Hill. Watch and learn more on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

Orange Shirt Day

Learn about the origins of Orange Shirt Day through this Youtube video by the Orange Shirt Society.

We Are Still Here and Aftershock Documentaries

Three local women from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, and the Bjekwanong First Nation on Walpole Island, share their memories of surviving residential institutions in this YouTube Video. Then, watch Aftershock, a documentary that features the children of the women in We Are Still Here.

The Secret Path

Animated film adaptation of Gord Downie's album and Jeff Lemire's graphic novel about the life of Chanie Wenjack.

Kevin Lamoureux on Truth and Reconciliation

Kevin Lamoureux, the Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Winnipeg, speaks about Truth and Reconciliation at a TEDx event in this YouTube clip.

The Sixties Scoop in Canada

A CBC video on YouTube about how Canada took thousands of Indigenous children from their parents between the 1960s and the 1980s, and how the effects are still being felt today.

Dr. Maureen Lux on the Painful History of Indian hospitals

An APTN video on YouTube about the history of 'Indian' hospitals in Canada.

Read:

Residential Schools Timeline

A visual timeline of residential institutions in Canada. Find it on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

The Witness Blank

Explore items reclaimed from residential institutions, churches, government buildings accompanied by the voices of Survivors. Visit The Witness Blanket website.

The dark history of Canada's Food Guide: How experiments on Indigenous children shaped nutrition policy

A CBC article and recording in which Unreserved host Roseanne Deerchild explores how nutritional studies and experiments were performed in Indigenous communities and residential schools in the 1940s and '50s.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Drafted from consultations with residential institution survivors and family members across Canada. Recommendations are directed at individuals, organizations, and all levels of government. Read the Calls to Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

21 Things You May Not Have Known About the Indian Act

An article from Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. about the Indian Act in Canada.

CK Road to Understanding Indigenous Cultures

Learn about local First Nations, relationships with government, and Treaties. Find the resource on the Living CK website. Hard copies of this resource are available by contacting us.

CK Public Library Resources

Visit the CKPL website to find books and other resources to learn about our shared past and how we can move towards healing, justice, and reconciliation.

The next municipal election in Chatham-Kent is October 26, 2026. Below are resources for people about voting or who are considering running for Council.

Chatham-Kent Election Information

General Election information: Chatham-Kent | 2026 Municipal Election

Candidate Information: Candidate Information

Make sure you are on the Municipal Voters' List before election day: RegisterToVoteON.ca

Resources from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) hosted a series of FREE workshops for people thinking about running for municipal Council in 2026, with some specifically for equity-deserving communities.

Other resources they offer:

• Learn how to get involved in 2026 municipal elections
• Learn about the general process of running for local Council
• Find resources and organizations for equity-deserving communities considering running

Other Ways to Shape Municipal Decisions

Learn about other ways to get involved in municipal government on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website

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.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has launched CKAlert, a new emergency notification service.

Signing up for this service will allow residents to receive important public safety messages in the event of a major emergency in the community, such as flooding, boil water advisories, major road closures, and more.

Learn more about the service and sign up on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's website.

Health Care Connect makes it easy to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your area.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀
1. Call or register online
2. A care connector (a Health Care Connect nurse) looks for a family doctor or primary care nurse practitioner in your community
3. You are contacted when a match is found

Register today, call 811 (available 24/7) or visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect

Chatham-Kent Public Health’s newly released 2025 Cost of Eating in CK infographic reveals an alarming trend: food insecurity is getting worse in Chatham-Kent.

In 2024, they reported that at least 1 in 5 households struggled to afford enough food. In 2025, the latest data shows that the number has risen to almost 1 in 4 households, meaning close to 25% of local families are now unable to buy the food they need.

This increase highlights a growing crisis in our community, driven not by a lack of food, but by a lack of sufficient income.

“Food insecurity in Chatham-Kent is driven by inadequate and insecure income, not a lack of food,” says Councillor Carmen McGregor, Chair of the Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council. “When people do not earn enough to cover housing, transportation, and food, they’re forced into impossible choices. Policies that support stable and adequate income, including a basic income guarantee, are critical to reducing food insecurity.”

While community organizations across Chatham-Kent provide important emergency food supports, these services offer only temporary relief. They cannot resolve the underlying issue: too many residents do not have enough income to meet basic needs.

Food insecurity comes with serious health consequences. Adults and children living without consistent access to nutritious food face poorer health outcomes.

“Food insecurity is fundamentally an income issue,” says Dr Shanker Nesathurai, Medical Officer of Health for CK Public Health. “Advancing policies that support stable and adequate income ensures that everyone in Chatham-Kent can live a healthier life.”

What Residents Can Do

CK Public Health encourages community members to take action by:

• Learning more about food insecurity and its root causes
• Talking openly with friends, family, and colleagues about why food insecurity happens
• Advocating for income-based solutions, including a basic income guarantee, to help ensure everyone in CK can afford nutritious food

To learn more about how food insecurity affects households in Chatham-Kent, community members can visit the new CK Public Health Household Food Insecurity Dashboard. This interactive tool breaks down income scenarios and offers a deeper look at the factors driving food insecurity. Access it at www.ckphu.com/food-insecurity.

Inclusion and representation are essential to building a health care system that reflects and meets the diverse needs of everyone in Chatham-Kent.

In 2021, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) Diversity and Equity Working Group established the Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team.

For several years, the Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team has heard anecdotal evidence about racism, discrimination, stereotypes, stigma and oppressive behaviours and actions occurring in health care environments in Chatham-Kent.

In 2024, the Action Team asked the community questions to understand their experiences of racism in local health care.

Find out what the Team learned and how CKOHT and Partners are committing to action on Anti-Black Racism through the video linked above and on the CKOHT website.

CK Pride and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Relaunch “Our Door Is Open to Everyone” Window Sign Campaign

CK Pride, in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, is proud to announce the relaunch of the Our Door is Open to Everyone campaign, a visible community initiative that affirms inclusion, safety, and belonging for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and visitors across Chatham-Kent.

Originally launched with cardboard signage, the campaign has been refreshed in 2026 with durable window clings and stickers that reflect CK Pride’s updated name and new logo, making it easier for businesses, organizations, and public spaces to visibly demonstrate their commitment to welcoming and affirming environments.

The window clings were designed by Joel Emery and produced locally by CutiePatootieStudios, supporting community-based creatives while ensuring high-quality, long-lasting materials suitable for storefronts, offices, and public-facing spaces. This project is supported by Council Ward Funding, through a partnership between the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Hydro One.

The Our Door Is Open to Everyone window clings signal that a space is one where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions are respected and supported. Participating locations are encouraged to reflect this commitment not only through signage, but through everyday practices rooted in dignity, equity, and inclusion.

“Visibility matters,” say the Board of Directors at CK Pride. “In a community as diverse and geographically large as Chatham-Kent, these window clings offer a simple but meaningful way to signal safety, allyship, and care. For many people, especially youth, newcomers, and those navigating rural isolation, seeing that sign can make the difference between entering a space or walking away.”

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent continues to support the campaign as part of its broader commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and community safety. The relaunch aligns with ongoing municipal efforts to foster welcoming public spaces and strengthen trust across communities.

Window clings and stickers will be available to local businesses, community organizations, and municipal spaces. Participation in the campaign is voluntary, and CK Pride encourages participants to engage with the campaign thoughtfully and authentically.

Organizations interested in displaying an Our Door Is Open to Everyone window cling can contact info@ckpride.com, or pick one up from Bill's Place, Community Space, 48 Centre St. during drop-in hours. They will also be distributed at Municipal Centers and CK Public Library branches.