World Hijab Day: Fostering Understanding and Respect Webinar

Monday, February 2, 12:15 – 12:45, Microsoft Teams

Register on EventBrite.

A calendar invitation with a Teams link will be sent to registrants.

Join us for an engaging Lunch & Learn in honour of World Hijab Day. This short webinar will explore the significance of head coverings worn by Muslim women, the diversity of styles, and common questions and misconceptions. Deepen your understanding, ask questions, and help make Chatham‑Kent a respectful and inclusive place for everyone.

This session is free and open to all to attend.

Presented by Adult Language & Learning, the Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership, and the Municipality of Chatham‑Kent.

Building an Equitable Health System: Spotlight on CKOHT’s Anti-Black Racism / Anti-Oppression Action Team

The Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team (CKOHT) and members (including the Municipality of Chatham-Kent) are committed to creating a healthcare system where equity and inclusion are at the forefront. At the heart of this work is the Anti-Black Racism / Anti-Oppression Action Team, a sub-working group of the CKOHT Diversity & Equity Working Group. This team was formed to address systemic barriers, address anti-Black racism and ensure historically marginalized voices help shape local healthcare.

Impact So Far

The Action Team has led meaningful initiatives, including:

• Investing in education and anti-Black racism training for local health care staff & leadership.
• Securing funding for health programming for Black communities in Chatham-Kent.
• Amplifying underrepresented voices through the ‘Seen & Heard’ campaign.
• Conducting research to identify gaps and barriers. Read the ‘Seen & Heard’ Research Report HERE.

These efforts reflect CKOHT’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful health care environment for all.

What’s Next

We will share findings from the Seen & Heard research with community partners and develop actionable strategies to address identified issues—continuing the work of building a healthcare system that truly reflects the diverse needs of Chatham-Kent.

Interested in learning more? Email info@ckoht.ca

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is starting to post various summer student positions for the Summer of 2026. Positions will continue to be posted over the next couple of months.

Find the postings on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve. Learn more about the Municipality as an employer and our hiring processes on our website.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority offers education programs at C.M. Wilson Learning Centre in Blenheim. Bring your class or group out for programs, like Winter Storytelling!

Book a visit in January or February to learn about Indigenous storytelling and hear stories that can only be shared at this time of the year.

Visit their website for more details.

February is Black History Month!

Each February, we are proud to honour Black History Month, an opportunity to recognize the histories and achievements of Black Canadians and communities.

Chatham-Kent is home to some of the most successful Black settlements in Canadian history, shaping the Chatham-Kent, and Canada, we know today. In Chatham-Kent, three historic sites are dedicated to sharing these local histories, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, and The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.

Why do we honour Black History Month?

Although Black communities have been an important part of Canada’s heritage, the role of Black individuals and communities is often excluded from mainstream recounting of Canadian history. This shared history is important all year, but having a designated Black History Month ensures these stories are told. Black History Month highlights the accomplishments of Black community members and the continued struggles for liberation, equity, and justice.

How was Black History Month established?

In Canada, Black History Month was first proclaimed in 1978 by the City of Toronto as a result of advocacy by the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks.

In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

How is Black History Month being honoured In Chatham-Kent?

Learn about Black History Month, local historical sites, and events on the Visit CK website.

Offered by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent:

February 7, 10:30 AM: Celebrate Black History Month, Chatham-Kent Public Library, Chatham Branch

Celebrate Black History Month with a story and hands-on music experience. All ages welcome. Drop-in. Partnership with Buxton National Historic Site & Museum.

February 14: Kids Club Featuring Artis Shreve Lane

9:00 - 10:00 AM at the Imagination Station in Chatham, Register online.

11:00 - 12:00 Wallaceburg Branch, CK Public Library, Register with the library

Children 6-12 years of age, join CK Museums to celebrate the works of artist and Chatham-Kent native, Artis Shreve Lane. Learn about Artis and create your very own clay sculptures.

All Month

Let Us March on Til Victory is Won: The Struggle for Racial Equity in Chatham-Kent and Ontario

Book the travelling exhibit or explore the online exhibit through CK Museums.

Read Black Voices - Chatham-Kent Public Library, Bothwell, Highgate, and Ridgetown Branches and online

All February, celebrate Black History Month by checking out a book by a Black author or illustrator. Visit CKPL's social media pages to learn about CKPL's collection of Black authors and illustrators.

Black History Exhibits at Municipal Service Centres

Visit the Dresden Municipal Centre or Chatham Civic Centre for displays honouring local Black history. Partnership with Buxton National Historical Society and Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.

Friday, February 27, 2026, 8:30 - 4:30.

Reconcili-Action Conference: Continuing the Journey

Portuguese Club, Leamington, 217 Talbot Street West, Leamington, Ontario

Breakfast, beverages, and lunch provided.

Conference fee of $100 per person.

Register via Survey Monkey

This event will be an opportunity to deepen your understanding of Indigenous issues, connect with community members, and engage in meaningful dialogue about how we can collectively address these challenges. Whether you are a member of the Caldwell First Nation, an ally, or someone who wishes to learn more, your presence and participation are valued. Speakers will include Dr. Vanessa Ambtman-Smith, James Vukelich, Sara Williams, and more.

For more information, please email Carrie Ann cultural.dev@caldwellfirstnation.ca or visit the Caldwell First Nation website.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of FREE workshops for people in equity-deserving communities* who are thinking about running for municipal Council in 2026.

*Equity-deserving communities are communities that often face barriers to participation and, as a result, are often under-represented in municipal government. Examples include but are not limited to people in the following communities: Indigenous, Black, Racialized; Women; 2SLGBTQIA+; People with Disabilities, Newcomers to Canada; Youth.

This 90-minute workshop provides useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot. Facilitated by former municipal Councillors Steve Anderson and Jasvinder Sandhu, you will be taken through:

• What to expect running as a candidate from an equity-deserving community (what they call diverse candidates)
• Critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
• Understand what it takes to become a candidate
• Identifying your target audience,
• Developing effective messaging and branding,
• Utilizing community engagement practices to enhance visibility and support.
• And more!

Dates:

• December 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:30am
• February 4, 2026 - 10:30am - 12:00pm
• April 8, 2026 - 10:00am - 11:30am

Learn more and register on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario website.

Additional Resources

Find information about the 2026 Chatham-Kent municipal election on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.

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

Learn about the general process of running for local Council from Association of Municipalities.

Find additional resources and organizations that support equity-deserving communities to run for municipal office on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario website.

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.

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.