On November 18th, the CK Asian Cultural Association is hosting a Diwali celebration that is open to everyone.

Saturday, November 18th. Ursuline College, 85 Grand Ave West, Chatham.

Dinner 5:30-6:30PM.

Pre-order food before November 14th. Adults $15, Students $10, Below Grade 7, free.

Pre order using the above QR code or at this link: https://forms.gle/g3Xoogwgw2yaGqPu8

Payment can be send by etransfer to ckaca.events@gmail.com

Cultural Celebrations 6:45-10:00PM.

This portion is free.

Go to either or both portions of the event.

For further information please contact the organizing Committee members:

519 401 3162

519 365 5373

519 809 3495

519 784 4041

Saturday, October 21st, 11-3. Visit the Chatham Islamic Centre at 310 McNaughton Ave West for an Open House. Learn more about your neighbours. Tour the Mosque, learn, and enjoy a light refreshment.

Open to everyone.

For more information, contact:

Brother Rizwan Khan 519-355-6866

Brother Naveed Iqbal 519-401-8778

Brother Rafi Veettil 519-401-3162

This drop-in is held during Canadian Islamic History Month. This year’s theme is Celebrating Muslim Women in the Arts & Sciences.

In the 2021 Census, 840 people in Chatham-Kent identified as Muslim.

Indie-rock, synth-rock and folk-pop are just a few of the ways Twin Flames’ music has been described – their unique sound, which blends Indigenous Spirit flutes, traditional drums and western instruments, defies classification.

The husband and wife duo - Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree heritage) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik and Kahnawake – has garnered more than 40 awards and nominations, include the Canadian Folk Music Award in 2022 for Vocal Group of the Year. Their stories and songs, which they perform in a mix of English, French, and Inuktitut, honour their ancestors and relay stories from coast to coast, and have placed them at the forefront of the Indigenous Music renaissance.

Tickets: $20-$35 + Handling Fees

Learn more and buy tickets at CKTickets.com

September 25th if Franco-Ontarian Day! Join children from French-language schools and members of the Francophone community to celebrate. There will be flag-raising at John D. Bradley Centre at 10AM.

In the evening, celebrate with La Girouette, 150 King Street, West.

Saturday, September 23rd starting at 10:30AM at Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham.

Tickets: No tickets, entrane is by donation. Suggested donation is $10-$20/person, but no one will be turned away. If paying by cheque, please make it out to CK Black Historical Society.

Games: Games happen immediately following one another. The Golden Agers game is first, followed by youth, then New Generation.

Entrance: There will be signs directing people to the entrance and mechandise tent. Programs and merchandise will be available for purchase. Pre-game announcements will star at 10:30.

Seating: Seating is first-come first-serve. Pakc lawn chairs in case they grandstand seating fills up. Dugouts are for players only.

Parking: Parking is first-come, first-serve. Angle-parking is available in-front of the field. Parking in memorial arena and neigbouring streets, as well. Do not park in business parking lots, you will be towed at your own expense.

Merchandise: The All-Star Merchandise tent will have credit/debit. Bring cash in case technology doesn't cooperate. Hats, t-shirts, jerseys will be for sale. Items range from $30-$100. All leftover merchandise and additional items will be available for purchase at CK Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum during their open hours (Mon-Fri 9-2).

Canteen: The canteen will be open. Come hungry. Canteen is cash only.

Email ckblackhistoricalsociety@gmail.com with any additional questions.

Free event.

Drugs and alcohol-free.

Schedule:

Day 1 (September 29th)

3:00: Opening - Emcee Drives the Common Man & Kelly Kiyoshk & Residential School Survivors Special

3:15 Fawn Wood

4:00 Native Pool Boy

5:15 Natash Fisher

6:30 Drives the Common Man

8:00 Karaoke w/ Drives

8:45 Derek Miller

10:30 Closing

Day 2 (September 30th)

3:00 Opening - Emcee Eagle Blackbird & Romaine Peters

3:05 Jade Soney & Hunter Shipman

3:15 Alaina Sonefish

3:30 Wicked Sonz

4:30 Vance Brigham

5:00 Crystal Shawanda

7:15 Lager Jayne

8:00 Brother's Wilde

10:00 Closing

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, how the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is honouring them, community events, and where to learn more.

Contact the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Coordinator for more details or to add additional events DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or 226.312.2023 x. 2447.

About September 30th

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 residential school Survivor. As she prepared to go to residential school at six years old, Phyllis's grandmother bought her a new orange shirt. When she arrived at the school, the shirt was taken from her. For Phyllis, the shirt represented her experience at residential school, and the neglect and harm children faced. Today, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, commemorative day to reflect, learn, and raise awareness about the inter-generational impacts of residential schools. September 30th was chosen because it's the time of year children would be taken from their home to residential schools.

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day from the Orange Shirt Society or read the book Phyllis's Orange Shirt.

About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was officially recognized by the Government of Canada in 2021 as a result of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This is a day to lean in, listen, and learn about the ongoing impacts of colonization, including residential schools. It's a day to learn the 'truth' of our shared history, but also about how we can create pathways towards reconciliation and healing in our personal and professional lives.

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

Events

Below is a list of some of the events happening in Chatham-Kent. Events are open to everyone. We hope you will wear orange and participate as able, to show support for Truth and Reconciliation in Chatham-Kent.

Feel free to save and share the poster below. Contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca for a PDF version. More details about each event are listed below.

Tuesday, September 26, 11:30 AM Flag Walk & Raising

Starts: Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 495 King St W., Chatham

Ends: Civic Centre, 315 King St W., Chatham

Walk with and raise the Truth & Reconciliation Survivor's flag. Partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre. Police escort will be present.

Thursday, September 28 Sunrise & Moon Gatherings

7:00AM Sunrise Gathering; 8:00AM Networking Breakfast; 9:00-11:00AM Sharing Circle

7:00-9:00PM Full Moon Gathering

All events at Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 495 King St. W. Chatham. Bring a lawn chair and warm clothing.

Offered through the 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, and Women's Equity Business.

Friday, September 29, 10:00 AM Orange Shirt Day Storytime

120 Queen Street, Chatham

Join the CK Public Library, Chatham Branch, for storytime to recognize and support Orange Shirt Day with Linda Lou, guest Librarian from Bkejwanong Territory, Walpole Island First Nation Public Library.

Friday, September 29, 10:30 AM Healing Walk and Gathering

Starts: Wallaceburg Library, 209 James St., Wallaceburg

Ends: Civic Square Park, Wallaceburg

Walk together and listen to guest speakers share their experiences and ideas about how we can heal. Partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Bkejwanong Territory Giyakiishchigewin program.

Saturday, September 30th, 7-11PM. Turns and Tales

By Punk Rock Flea Market. All ages and communities friendly event. Punk Nite Honours Truth & Reconciliation. Indigenous vendors. Donation to local charity. DJ Sisyphus playing Indigenous artists.

Learn

September 30th is a great time to commit to learning. Resources to support learning are included below. This list is not comprehensive but is meant as a starting place.

Listen:

A Day to Listen (September 30th)

Tune in to your favourite local radio station to learn about Mino Bimaadiziwin (the Good Life in Anishinabemowin). Learn more from the Downie & Wenjack Fund website.

Watch:

Orange Shirt Day

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

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Lunch and Learns (September 25-29, 1:30-2:20 each day)

Open to anyone, five different webinars are offered throughout the week covering everything from the history and impacts of residential school, unconscious bias, to frameworks for how to move towards reconciliation. Learn more from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

Read:

Residential Schools Timeline

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

The Witness Blank

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

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

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

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 the DEIJ Coordinator.

Supports

You are not alone. Reach out if you need support.

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 Welcome Week is happening September 8th - 17th. The week is an opportunity to connect newcomers to services in Chatham-Kent, celebrate the contributions of newcomers to Chatham-Kent, and to promote diversity in our community.

Events are happening all week, but the week starts on September 8th with a flag raising at Chatham-Kent Civic Centre at 3:30PM followed by networking and speakers. More details on the flyer above.

A full list of events is available on the Living CK website.

Hope to see you there!

Buxton's 100th Homecoming is happening on Labour Day weekend, September 1-4!

Explore the history and heritage of the community, learn and celebrate together.

Everyone welcome.

More information and full schedule is available on the Buxton 100th Homecoming website.

We hope to see you there!

Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit is hosting their annual Pow Wow on Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd. Everyone is welcome.

Location: Behind the Community Centre at 14811 Schools Line in Bothwell.

Admission: General $8. Seniors $5. Children under 10 are free.

Grand entry: 12PM and 7PM on Saturday and 12PM on Sunday. Host drum is Naahii Singers.

No pets allowed, except service animals with appropriate documentation.

Learn more about Pow Wows from St. Clair Catholic District School Board website.