Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent
This Website shares information about the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Strategy.
- Visit the Frequently Asked Question section to learn how to use this site.
- Unsure of what something means? Visit the Glossary section to learn more.
- Sign up for updates in the Sign Up for Notifications section.
- Read local DEIJ related news, events, information from the DEIJ News Section.
DEIJ Calendar
Click on the image below to view an electronic calendar of important days in October 2024. Click on the text to open a link to learn more.
Use this calendar to learn about days that are important to communities in Chatham-Kent. Outside of the days listed on the calendar, people may have regular prayer, reflection, or fasting practices.
Information about community events honouring upcoming days of significance can be found in the DEIJ News section of this website.
Please contact us if there are errors or days missing.
If you are printing the calendar, please use Legal size paper.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent
This Website shares information about the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Strategy.
- Visit the Frequently Asked Question section to learn how to use this site.
- Unsure of what something means? Visit the Glossary section to learn more.
- Sign up for updates in the Sign Up for Notifications section.
- Read local DEIJ related news, events, information from the DEIJ News Section.
DEIJ Calendar
Click on the image below to view an electronic calendar of important days in October 2024. Click on the text to open a link to learn more.
Use this calendar to learn about days that are important to communities in Chatham-Kent. Outside of the days listed on the calendar, people may have regular prayer, reflection, or fasting practices.
Information about community events honouring upcoming days of significance can be found in the DEIJ News section of this website.
Please contact us if there are errors or days missing.
If you are printing the calendar, please use Legal size paper.
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Event: October 21 Chatham Islamic Centre Open House
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.
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Event: October 12 Twin Flames Performance
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
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Event: August 31 International Overdose Awareness Day
Chatham-Kent Drug Overdose Awareness Council invites you to join us at ROCK Missions locations for International Overdose Awareness Day.
Learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day on the official website or learn from the post we created on the Employee DEIJ Portal last year (note the events will have changed for this year).
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Together CK Grants 2024 Now Open!
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is now accepting applications for Together CK grants!
These grants support community groups to carry out projects or events that contribute to the community. Applications are due before October 5, 2023.
Learn more about the grants on the Municipality's website. Click on the 'Apply Now' button to get more detailed information.
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2SLGBTQIA+ Ally Posters and Brochures
The Municipality has partnered with CK Pride and community member Joel Emery to distribute free 2SLGBTQIA+ ally signs for local businesses, organizations, and residents. A brochure that goes with the sign has resources and information about how to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Signs are meant to be displayed in visible places to show support during CK Pride week (Aug 11-19) and all year long.
Signs are available at all Municipal Service Centres, at Bill’s Place for pick up on Aug 10th or 16th 3:30-6:30PM, August 26th 1:00-300PM or by emailing info@ckpride.com
More information is available at the CK Pride Facebook page.
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Resource: Free Online English Classes for People who are Migrant Workers
Collège Boréal is providing free, online English classes with a live instructor for people who are Migrant Workers in Chatham-Kent. Reach out to Azuani Cano, 519-384-9393, acano@dol.ca or Jiohanka Perez, 519-397-1677, jiohanka.perez@collegeboreal.ca for more information and to register.
Don't forget to subscribe to the CK Local Immigration Partnership newsletter for more updates like these!
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Event: July 29 2023 Emancipation Day Event
Join the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History and Ontario Heritage Trust for Emancipation Day — an annual celebration of hope and freedom commemorating the end of slavery in the British Empire — at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.
Everyone is welcome for this free, fun and educational day featuring music, speakers and presenters, children's crafts and book signings that recognizes and promotes the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society, while emphasizing that peoples of African descent have played a fundamental role in the development of the Canadian identity and heritage. The day also serves to advance the dialogue in support of the full and equal participation of Black individuals and Black communities.
Seating is available or bring your own lawn chair.
Southern barbecue lunch available for purchase from the Chilled Cork Food Truck.
Speakers and performers
London Collective Gospel Choir
- Enjoy uplifting musical selections that emphasize hope and unity through faith by the London Collective Gospel Choir.
Kwame Delfish
- Hear from artist Kwame Delfish, the first Caribbean Canadian to design a coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. Delfish will speak about the creative process behind his design for the coin commemorating the No. 2 Construction Battalion — the largest all-Black battalion-sized unit in Canadian military history.
Motown Boys
- Dance to the tunes of Diana Ross, The Temptations and top-40 Motown hits with live renditions by the musical group Motown Boys, featuring George St. Kitts, Toni Anderson and Kenni Hite.
Ruth Lor Malloy
- Learn from Ruth Lor Malloy, a travel writer and activist. In the 1950s, she worked with the Toronto Joint Labour Committee for Human Rights to fight discrimination in Dresden. Malloy will talk about her book — Brightening My Corner: A Memoir of Dreams Fulfilled — and will host a book signing.
Chef Patience Chirisa
- Fire up all your senses with Chef Patience Chirisa, a culinary expert in African cuisine. Chef Chirisa will provide a delectable selection of finger foods for guests to sample, host a book reading and signing, and deliver a fun arts-and-crafts activity for children.
Duane Gibson
- Hear from D.O. Gibson, a two-time Guinness World Records-setting rapper, author and professional speaker. Gibson will be speaking on how Josiah Henson is a central part of his many performances, as it allows him to speak about slavery, the Underground Railroad, spirituals and about his dad’s portrayal of Josiah Henson in the Josiah Henson Museum’s interpretive video onsite.
About the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. This two-hectare (five-acre) complex celebrates the life and work of Reverend Josiah Henson and explores the history of the Underground Railroad in Ontario. The museum provides a space to discuss the legacy of slavery and racism and the enduring pursuit for social justice. Learn more …
Location:
Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History
29251 Freedom Road (formerly Uncle Tom's Road)
Dresden, OntarioMap
Learn more about Emancipation Day from the Government of Canada.
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Event: Buxton 100th Homecoming Labour Day Weekend
The Buxton 100th Homecoming is happening on Labour Day weekend, September 1-4!
Explore the historic town, party, play, and learn. Experience the rich heritage, vibrant events, and educational opportunities.
Celebrate, connect, and honor the communities in the area.
Everyone welcome.
See the full schedule through Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.
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News: DEIJ Strategy Going to Council June 26
Tonight, we will present the high-level details of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Strategy at Municipal Council.
With four areas of focus, the Strategy aims to support the Municipality, as a workforce and service provider, to be an active leader committed to prioritizing equitable opportunities, promoting diversity, and building a strong sense of belonging.
The Council report summarizing our work to date and Appendix with details about the Strategy are available along with the full agenda on the Municipal website (see agenda Item 16).
Thank you to all of the people and organizations who shared their perspectives and ideas to shape the Strategy, we couldn't have done this work without you.
The Strategy is being shared through an Information Report. Later this year, during our new 4-year budget process, Council will be asked to approve funding to support full implementation of the DEIJ Strategy. In the meantime, we will continue to implement action items that do not require additional resources.
Please reach out to our Coordinator, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns. deij@chatham-kent.ca
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New Resource: Report hate or discrimination in CK
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.
Important Note
Glossary
DEIJ Resources
- Chatham-Kent HR Strategies 2023-2027 (DEIJ Strategy document) (9.64 MB) (pdf)
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Reports to Council
- February 7 2022: Report to Council #1
- June 20 2022: Report to Council #2
- September 25 2022: Report to Council #3
- December 12 2022: Report to Council #4
- March 27 2023: Report to Council #5 (272 KB) (pdf)
- June 26 2023: Report to Council Update #6
- June 26 2023: Report to Council Update # 6 Appendix
- November 6 2023: Report to Council Update # 7
- Days of Observance
- Resources in Chatham-Kent
- Data about our Community
Who's Listening
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Coordinator, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Phone 519-360-1998 Email rebeccah@chatham-kent.ca -
Chief Human Resource Officer & General Manager, Corporate Services
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Phone 519-360-1998 Email cathyh@chatham-kent.ca
Timelines
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Hire DEI Coordinator & Intern
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy has finished this stageFall 2021
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Pre-Planning
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy has finished this stageFall 2021 - Winter 2022
Review & summarize best practices & resources for developing DEIJ Strategy
Create framework for developing DEIJ Strategy
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Assessment
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy has finished this stageWinter - Summer 2022
Gathering information to inform Strategy development
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Share assessment findings
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy has finished this stageFall 2022
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Create the DEIJ Strategy
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy has finished this stageWinter 2022-Winter 2023
Identify goals & how we'll achieve them
Develop implementation & evaluation plans
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Share the Draft DEIJ Strategy
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy has finished this stageWinter 2023
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Begin to implement & monitor progress
Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy is currently at this stageSpring 2023