Taste of Chatham-Kent (TOCK) is a multi-week celebration of cultural diversity in Chatham-Kent. The TOCK Committee is inviting cultural associations, businesses, and community groups to showcase their culture during the TOCK celebration this summer. And inviting community to participate.

Proudly founded and organized by the Taste of Chatham Kent committee in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Events run from Jul 27th until September 30th, 2024.

Register your cultural event or activity or learn about upcoming events on the TOCK website.

Have you experienced racism or discrimination in a health care setting in Chatham-Kent? CKOHT would like to hear about your experience. The CKOHT is committed to learning about experiences of racism and discrimination in order to make improvements in local health care.

Please fill out the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y5YRSPK

Participate in one of the upcoming virtual focus groups in August: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2C27MKY

CK Pride Week is August 10 - August 18, 2024! Visit the CK Pride website for more details.

Pride Week is a time to honour and celebrate the diverse Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual and additional identities (2SLGBTQIA+) people and communities in Chatham-Kent!

Learn more about why we celebrate 'Pride' from a past post on our DEIJ website.

2024 Events

Saturday, August 10

11:00AM Ride into Pride with Revolve Spin Co. and POPArt

9:00PM Pride Dance, Jazz Bah

Sunday, August 11

10:30AM Diversity Service & Luncheon, St. Andrew's United Church

Monday, August 12

12:00PM Pride Flag Raising, Chatham-Kent Civic Centre

Tuesday August 13

6:30PM Chatham-Kent Public Library Rainbow Storytime & Sundae Funday, Bill's Place

Wednesday, August 14

12:00PM LINCK BBQ, LINCK

3:30-6:30PM Drop-In, Bill's Place

6:00PM-12:00AM Chatham-Kent Public Library Virtual Trivia, CKPL Facebook Page

7:00-9:00PM, Pub Night, Son's of Kent

Thursday, August 15

7:00PM Pride Movie Night: The Birdcage, Capitol Theatre

9:00PM After-movie treat, Turns & Tales

Friday, August 16

All day: Virtual Puzzle, CK Public Library Facebook Page

9:00PM Community Bonfire, Blenheim

Saturday, August 17

11:00AM CK Pride parade, downtown Chatham

12:00-4:00PM CK Pride Fest, Harvey & Centre Street

Sunday, August 18

11:30AM Drag Brunch, The Garden on King

CK Pride offers programming, resources and support throughout the year. Visit the CK Pride website for more details.

Happy Pride Chatham-Kent!

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

The theme for 2024 is "Together We Can", highlighting the power of our community when we all stand together.

Join events in Chatham and Wallaceburg on Thursday, August 29th from 3-6PM. More details will be announced soon.

Visit Chatham-Kent Drug Awareness Council's website for more information.

On Saturday, July 27^th, from 9:30 – 3:00, join the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History for Emancipation Day — an annual celebration of hope and freedom to commemorate the end of slavery in the British Empire.

Everyone is welcome to this free, fun and educational event featuring music, presenters, children's crafts and food. The day celebrates the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society, highlighting the fundamental roles of people of African descent in shaping Canadian identity and heritage. It also fosters dialogue to support the full and equal participation of Black individuals and communities.

Lunch will be available for purchase. Seating is available or bring your own lawn chair.

Learn more about the event from the Ontario Heritage Trust website.

Learn more about Emancipation Day from the government of Canada.

Chatham-Kent artist Myles Lynch’s new exhibition, Cryptic Landscapes, will be presented at ARTspace starting Wednesday, July 17, 2024. All are invited to an opening reception at ARTspace on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 7:00- pm – 9:00 pm. Light refreshments provided.

Myles Jackson Lynch is an emerging Lŭnaapèew artist from Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit, also know as the Delaware Nation. Lynch received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western University in London, Ontario. He grew up with an equal appreciation for nature and academia, finding inspiration in stillness. Though the materials Lynch creates his art with are ever-changing, his body of work remains focused on Existentialism – the idea that we are each responsible for creating meaning in our own lives.

Lynch describes Cryptic Landscapes as an exploration of texture using paper pulp and water to recreate landscapes from his dreams. Lynch's series studies the beauty of being extremely small in infinite space—that sudden self-awareness we feel when looking at the stars.

This exhibition is curated by Chatham-Kent and ARTspace artist Danielle Coleman.

Cryptic Landscapes is on view at ARTspace at 165 1/2 King Street West, Chatham, ON, from Wednesday, July 17, 2024, to Saturday, September 14, 2024. ARTspace is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 12-5. Admission is free, donations are welcome.

Take advantage of this opportunity to support your local art scene and experience the vibrant artistic community in Chatham-Kent.

For more information, please visit www.tagartspace.com.

SheLeads is a full-day event designed to Educate, Inspire and Empower all women-identifying folks within the community of Chatham-Kent.

Saturday, July 6, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

The Capitol Theatre, 238 King St W, Chatham

Pay-what-you-can.

What to expect:

Learn more from the SheLeads website.

GINDAASDAA (Ghin-daahs-daah) means looking at something together and learning from it in Ojibwe.

This Indigenous-led, local book club focuses on Indigenous authors who have written about Indigenous Knowledge, Reconciliation and Worldviews.

Meetings are bi-monthly.

Everyone is welcome.

The next meeting is Tuesday, August 13, 6:30-8:30PM in-person at Deshkan Ziibi and on Zoom.

Book: Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change written by Sherri Mitchell.

Contact Naomi naomi@skanaflc.com to RSVP.

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

We encourage you to participate in local events to honour the day, and National Indigenous History Month (June), as well.

Wednesday, June 19, 6:00 - 9:00PM

Indigenous Arts & Craft Market & Strawberry Social

Deshkan Ziibi, 495 King Street West, Chatham

Join us for strawberries and ice cream, browse, shop, network, and visit. Free event. All welcome.

Learn more about National Indigenous Peoples Day, this and other local upcoming events on the 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre website.

Indigenous vendors looking to participate (free registration) can contact Naomi naomi@skanaflc.com

Co-sponsored by Ska:na Family Learning Centre, the Bleak House, Women's Equity Business, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, United Way of Chatham-Kent, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, St. Clair Catholic District School Board, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 6:30PM

The Spirit Horse Returns

Chatham Capitol Theatre (238 King Street West)

Introducing "The Spirit Horse Returns," a captivating orchestral concert production that seamlessly blends diverse North American Indigenous perspectives, stunning visual art, and a rich orchestral score to tell the powerful stories of the Ojibwe Horses.

The production is a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous co-creators, including Anishinaabe artist and Ojibwe Horse breed expert Rhonda Snow, songwriter Jodi Contin (Wasauksing First Nation, composers Kevin Lau (a first-generation Canadian), and Andrew Balfour (of Cree descent), writer and performer Ken MacDonald (an eleventh-generation settler), and featuring musicians from London Symphonia.

Pre-show art experience with Rhonda Snow one hour prior to each performance in the Rotary Lounge (Lower Level).

Get evening (open to public) tickets on CKTickets.com

For more information contact cortnee.goure@sccdsb.net

Friday, June 21, 2024

Bkejwanong Summer Solstice Celebration

High Banks Park, Walpole Island

Bkejwanong Summer Solstice Celebration this June 21st (National Indigenous Peoples Day) at High Banks Park!

6:00AM - Sunrise Ceremony at High Banks Lodge (Community Members welcome to bring food)

12:15PM- Opening Prayer

12:30PM - Until Full

- Sign up booth for Pontoon ride (Reminder- No food or drinks on ride)

- Free BBQ (Hotdogs and Hamburgers)

1:00PM

- Inflatables and Dunk Tank

- Music in the park

1:30PM - T-shirt Giveaway (1 per person and must be present)

10PM - FIREWORKS!

Everyone welcome!

Bring your own lawn chair.

On May 18th and 19th, Walpole Island First Nation will host their 30th Spring Pow Wow in Bkejwanong Territory.

Free to attend. All are welcome.

Learn more about the Pow Wow on their Facebook Page.

Learn more about Pow Wows and etiquette:

A primer on Indigenous Pow Wows from Indigenous Corporate Training.

Indigenous Pow Wow Protocols from Indigenous Corporate Training

Indigenous Pow Wow Dances from Indigenous Corporate Training

Tips for Attending:

Listen to the Master of Ceremonies – they’ll explain what’s happening to help visitors.

Ask permission before taking pictures.

Want to get in on the dancing? Listen for the Intertribal dances - these are for all people present to partake in the dance.

Don’t touch people’s regalia without permission. They are not costumes and hold special meaning to dancers.

Support the vendors. Some vendors may have interact or etransfer options, but please make sure you have cash on hand as well.

Outdoor settings are sometimes uneven so watch your footing.

Sometimes bleachers are available for people, but it never hurts to bring a chair with you.

Seats closest to the dancing circle are reserved for singers, dancers, and drummers.

Respect that some sections set aside for those with mobility issues to sit with mobile chairs or walkers.

Leave pets at home as animals are not necessary at cultural gatherings and ceremonial functions.

Sometimes specials can include placing a blanket on the ground for generous donations by visitors.

Security is provided for parking lot areas.

Ambulance and police are present.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs.

Have fun!