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: June 23 Coffee with a Cop at Bill's Place
CK Police Services and CK Gay Pride Association are hosting Coffee with a Cop at Bill's Place on June 23, 2023.
Building relationships is vital for the safety and well-being of everyone. This will be a relaxed and informal setting for community members to meet with local law enforcement officers and foster mutual understanding and trust.
All are welcome to attend! -
Event: Our Lady of Fatima Festival
The Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham invites you to the Nossa Senhora de Fátima/Our Lady of Fatima Festival June 24th and 25th.Saturday June 24th:
9AM Soccer tournament, Waterworks soccer field
6-10PM Food for purchase
8:30 Dance live band - piri piri
Sunday June 25th:
1:30PM Procession, St. Joseph's Church
2:30PM Portuguese Mass, St. Joseph's Church
5-6PM Foor for purchase (pre-ordered only)
6-7:30PM Food for purchase
8:30-10 General public
7:30 Rancho de Chatham
8:30 Dance live band - piri piri
Call or text Filomena Ventura 519-436-7689 or Mary Lou Constancio 519-401-4233 by Friday June 23 to pre-order your meal for Saturday or Sunday.
Learn about the Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham on the Living CK website.
Learn about Our Lady of Fatima on the Washington Post website.
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Event: June 10th Fergie Jenkins Statue Unveiling
Just a reminder of the Fergie Jenkins statue unveiling happening Saturday, June 10th. The ceremony begins at 2PM at the Civic Centre in Chatham. A family-friendly celebration will be held starting at 3:30 at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham
Learn more about the event Fergie Jenkins Statue Unveiling | Let's Talk Chatham-Kent (letstalkchatham-kent.ca)
Learn more about Fergie Jenkins: Fergie Jenkins’s Long and Grinding Road to Cooperstown | Library and Archives Canada Blog (thediscoverblog.com)
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Event: June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day
Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network invites you to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Wednesday, June 21, 2023 4-8PM at 25 Eighth Street, Chatham. (At the lot beside Ska Na Family Learning Centre).
EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
Indigenous vendors and information booths.
Food booth.
Children's activity table/area
Reconcili-ACTION table.
Maawnjidimi is providing FREE samples of corn soup, frybread, and Indian cookies.
Agenda:
2:30-4:30 Set up
4:00-4:30 Opening and welcome announcements
4:30-5:00 Drumming and dancing
5:00-5:30 FREE samples (small bowl) corn soup and frybread
5:30-6:00 Drumming and dancing
6:00-6:30 FREE samples (small bowl) of Indian cookies
6:30-7:00 Drumming and dancing
7:00-7:30 FREE samples (small bowl) of strawberries
7:30-8:00 Drumming and closing
Agenda may change slightly with added guests.
Free samples limited to on-serving per person. Seconds will be announced if there are leftovers.
For more information or to register to have an information or vendor booth, contact maawnjidimi@gmail.com
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Event: June 7 Book Launch
Join the CK Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum in celebrating the publication of 1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars’ Barrier-Breaking Year. The author Heidi LM Jacobs will be featured in a panel conversation with descendants of All-Stars players’ Blake Harding and Donald Tabron, and moderator Dr. Deirdre McCorkindale. Refreshments will be provided.About the book:This is the first book about the Black team who made a splash in a white dominated sport more than a decade before Jackie Robinson played Major League Baseball, and, in 2022, were recognized with the Order of Sport by Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The All-Stars regularly beat their white opponents and challenged discriminatory ideas and practices in Canada, including segregationist policies in hotels and restaurants. They became the first Black team to win an Ontario Baseball Association championship. Author Heidi Jacobs and her colleagues at the University of Windsor did years of research to uncover this important part of the Canadian history of progress towards racial equity and North American baseball history."Reading through the book, 1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars’ Barrier-Breaking Year it feels almost mythical, like an urban legend made manifest in your hands, bringing to life a story that would make you think you were watching a baseball movie. But this actually happened." –Windsor Life
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Event: June 7 CK Chamber of Commerce Diversity Session
Members of the CK Chamber, join the Chatham-Kent Camber of Commerce for Coffee. ConneCKt. Learn.
At the Chatham-Kent Chamber office, 54 Fourth St, Chatham on June 7th 8:30am - 9:30am.
This session is on diversity and inclusion and will be presented by hosts, Community Living Wallaceburg, Southern First Nations Secretariat and Community Living Chatham-Kent.You will learn:
- what diversity and inclusion means to business and our community
- supporting people to 'dream, believe, overcome and achieve'
- Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
- Employment Services Program, Skills Bank, Job Bank, Business Directory
- Inclusive practices, cultural competency, and diversity.
Complimentary for members. Registration required. Coffee.ConneCKt.Learn - Jun 7, 2023 - The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce
For more information, contact the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce at 519-352-7540 or info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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Event: June 9 and 10 Ahlan Bazaar
Visit the Ahlan Bazaar, June 9th and 10th from 2-6PM at the Chatham Islamic Centre, 310 McNaughton AveWest, Chatham.
Get ready for Eid al-Adha or support the community and vendors. Jewelry, food (all halal), clothing, henna, and eyebrow threading.
Free entry. Cash only for payments.
Please contact Maha Muhareb with any questions 519-359-4024 or mamuhareb@hotmail.com
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Event: Bkejwanong Pow Wow
This weekend is the 29th annual Walpole Island Spring Pow Wow. The event is open to everyone. See image below for more details.
Tips for the Bkejwanong Pow Wow:
Listen to the Master of Ceremonies – they’ll explain what’s happening to help visitors.
Ask permission before taking pictures.
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 necessarily at cultural gatherings and ceremonial functions.
Don’t touch people’s regalia without permission. They are not costumes, and hold special meaning to dancers.
Feathers are sacred – if one falls, do not pick it up. Leave it where it is.
Sometimes specials can include placing a blanket on the ground for generous donations by visitors.
Want to get in on the dancing? Intertribal dances are for all people present to partake in the dance.
Support the vendors. Some vendors may have interact or etransfer options, but please make sure you have cash on hand as well.
Security is provided for parking lot areas.
Ambulance and police are present.
Don’t bring alcohol or drugs.
Have fun!
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May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia
Every year on May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia is honoured. The day was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, and Asexual people, and all people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and sex characteristics. May 17th was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, on May 17th 1990.
In recognition of the diversity across 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, this year’s theme is ‘Together always: United in diversity.”
Resources:
Learn
Learn more about May 17th, about homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and the impacts they have at the May 17th website or from Fondation Émergence.
Learn about terminology, inclusive language, and how to be supportive of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities from:
CK Pride’s website – scroll down for quick tips
Pride at Work website
5 Ways you can support 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace on the Municipality’s Economic Development Youtube channel.
Upcoming Webinar: June 7th, 1PM Celebrating and Elevating 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities for allies, 2SLGBTQIA+ members, and everyone. Offered by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.
Supports
CK Gay Pride Association: https://www.ckpride.com/ (local social and educational events)
Trans Wellness Ontario: https://www.transwellness.ca/ (low barrier access to a variety of services for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, their friends, and families)
PFLAG Canada: https://pflagcanada.ca/ (support for 2SLGBTQIA+ families and loved ones)
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Volunteer: CK Reconcili-ACTION Committee
Maawnjidimi Urban Indigenous Network are looking for volunteers to participate on a Reconcili-ACTION Committee to plan and coordinate activities and events for CK in 2023.
The first meeting is on Wednesday, May 10th from 7-8PM via Zoom.
ZOOM MEETING LINK https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82352231544?pwd=OVpveXhwb25lWWRkQldJdFJrbzNnUT09
Meeting ID: 823 5223 1544
Passcode: 795509
Metings wiill be held in-person and via Zoom every Wednesday afterwards.
Everyone is welcome to participate.
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