June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.

This is a time to recognize the rich histories, heritage, cultures, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. We honour the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues today.

This month and day are opportunities to learn about the cultural diversity of Indigenous communities and promotes understanding across all communities.

Learn more about National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and about the images in the banner above from the government of Canada.

Scroll down to learn about local events and resources.

Events:

Mondays & Fridays in June, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Local Indigenous Vendor Sales

Chatham Kent Health Alliance, 80 Grand Ave West, Chatham, Streestcape (hallway to Emergency Department with all the windows)

Supporting Indigenous Artisans is an act of cultural preservation and economic empowerment. Your purchase helps sustain traditional practices, supports local communities, and honours the deep connection between people, land, and craft.

Friday, June 20, 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Sunrise Celebration and Networking breakfast.

Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 496 King Street West, Chatham

Everyone welcome.

Friday, June 20, all day

Bkejwanong Summer Solstice Celebration

High Banks Park, Walpole Island First Nation, Unceded Bkejwanong Territory

Everyone is welcome.

Resources:

Learn about local First Nations, important terminology, cultural identities, regional and cultural differences, local Treaties and historical relationships, and important principles and values through the resource A Road to Understanding Indigenous Culture.

Developed through collaboration with local Indigenous Knowledge Holders with the goal of fostering better understanding and connection with each other.

Find the electronic resource on the Living CK website. Hard copies of the resource are available at CK Public Library branches.

Note: We recognize that the terminology in this article may be new to some folks. If you’d like to deepen your understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology and communities, visit the CK Pride website.

June kicks off Pride Season, when we celebrate the diverse Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and additional identities (2SLGBTQIA+) communities in Chatham-Kent!

The History of Pride Celebrations

Many people are unaware that pride celebrations started as protests. In the U.S.A., in June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, in Greenwich Village, New York. The raid led to six days of riots and protests by residents, staff, and bar patrons, many of whom were racialized trans people. The riots, now known as the ‘Stonewall riots’ were a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States, and around the World.

In Canada, similar raids happened in Toronto in the early 1970s, leading to protests for rights and protections for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada. The first pride week was held in major cities across Canada in August in 1973 to rally for equal rights. This is why some communities in Canada (including Chatham--Kent) honour Pride in August instead of June.

Of course, throughout time and history there has been celebration of, and resistance among, what we now call 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities.

Learn about Pride flags from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

How is Pride celebrated today?

There is a growing movement to use the term Pride season in recognition of the diverse history of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movements, and the various times and ways Pride is celebrated. Now, Pride gatherings are used to honour the work that has been done and to raise awareness about the work still needed to achieve respect, dignity, safety, and rights for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people. It is also a time when people who may at other times feel unsafe or marginalized because of their identities have a short window of time and place to honour their authentic selves. Events include parades, rallies, workshops, concerts as well as memorials and commemorations for community members, family, and friends who lost someone due to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS.

How is Pride Honoured in Chatham-Kent?

In Chatham-Kent, Pride is celebrated in August, with a week of events organized by CK Pride.

Learn about local Pride events on the CK Pride website. Learn about CK Pride's history on the CK Pride website.

To folks celebrating - we celebrate you throughout the year, but especially during Pride Season!

The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) is looking for people who have immigrated and newcomers that are interested in becoming members of the CK LIP Immigrant Advisory Group (IAG). This volunteer position is an opportunity to contribute to fostering a more welcoming Chatham-Kent. The IAG provides input on what people who have immigrated are experiencing in the community, shares ideas on creating a more welcoming and inclusive community and helps drive community initiatives.

Apply before June 27, 2025.

Learn more on Let's Talk CK.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Together CK Core Grants applications are now open. Applications are due before June 30 at 12:00PM/midnight.

Together CK Core Grants are awarded every four years through a competitive process to non-profit corporations and registered charities. This program provides operational and program-specific grants which support Council Term Priorities. The purpose is to invest in local initiatives to meet community needs and build organizational capacity.

Full Together CK Core Grant guidelines, eligibility criteria, and Council Term Priorities are available on Let's Talk CK.

August 1^st is Emancipation Day in Canada, and the month of August is Emancipation month in Ontario.

Emancipation Day commemorates the Abolition of Slavery Act, which became law on August 1, 1834, marking the end of the institution of slavery within British colonies, including Canada.

While people often associate chattel slavery with the United States, Canada also has a history of enslavement of People of African descent and Indigenous Peoples. In fact, the first known Black person in Chatham-Kent was enslaved.

A 1793 Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada had already prohibited bringing enslaved people into Upper Canada, however, the 1834 Act went further to lay the pathway to free more than 800 000 people of African descent throughout the British Empire. For most enslaved people, the Abolition of Slavery Act only resulted in partial liberation, freeing children under the age of six while still requiring others to continue serving their former enslavers for four to six years as apprentices. The Act confirmed Canada as a free territory for enslaved African Americans, though, which led to thousands of people of African-descent arriving in Canada from the United States between 1834 and the early 1860s, including in what is now known as Chatham-Kent.

Although the institution of slavery was ended, Black communities continued to experience racism and discrimination in Canada. And no formal apologies or compensation has ever been offered to the people or descendants of those enslaved.

Emancipation Day has been celebrated on or near August 1^st each year by Black communities and supporters since 1834. The day was formally recognized in 2008 by Ontario and by Canada in 2021. Ontario also recognized August as Emancipation Month in 2021. Today, Emancipation Day and Month are a time to celebrate the end of slavery, but also to raise awareness about and commit to advancing racial equity.

Activists in Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent's Council vocally supported Member of Parliament Majid Jowhari's motion to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day in Canada, including through a formal motion of support sent to local Member of Parliament and all House of Commons representatives.

Local Emancipation Day Events:

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

Learn more:

Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

Chatham-Kent Tourism – Black History

Canadian Museum of Human Rights

Government of Canada

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.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is starting to post various summer student positions for the Summer of 2025. 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.

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.

Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) has designed a Homelessness Response Toolkit for local businesses, organizations, and area residents better understand and engage with local homelessness response efforts. The goal is to provide practical guidance, reduce stigma, and encourage compassionate and informed interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness.

The kit includes a quick reference postcard with information on who to call in specific situations, including phone numbers for outreach services, sharps clean-up, shelter, and other essential resources, ensuring that businesses and community members have immediate access to support when needed.

Digital copies can be accessed at www.reachoutck.com/resources.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Employment and Social Services program has created a website with information for people who may need food assistance, including resources like:

• food banks
• little free pantries
• soup kitchens
• food voucher programs
• drop-in/outreach services.

Visit www.chatham-kent.ca/EmergencyFood or scan the QR code above to go to the website.

These services are here to support individuals and families in our community. Whether you're in immediate need or looking for ongoing assistance, there are options available to help you.