The next municipal election in Chatham-Kent is October 26, 2026. Below are resources for people considering running for Council.

Chatham-Kent Election Information

General Election information: Chatham-Kent | 2026 Municipal Election

Candidate Information: Candidate Information

Upcoming Information Workshops

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of FREE workshops for people who are thinking about running for municipal Council in 2026. The sessions will provide useful insights and strategies. Some workshops are specifically for people in equity-deserving communities.

• Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities series— Has a stream for currently elected officials and another for first-time candidates.
• Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate
• Information Session for Youth Considering Running
• Information Session for Urban Indigenous People Considering Running

Additional Resources

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

Learn how to get involved in 2026 municipal elections from Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

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

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

Share your feedback on the Draft "Renovictions" By-law in Chatham-Kent!

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has drafted a Rental Renovation License By-Law and is asking for public feedback.

The draft License By-Law has been prepared that has 3 possible options for Council to consider. Members of the public are invited to review the draft by-law, proposed options, and provide input two ways:

• A survey open until May 20^th
• A public meeting May 13^th at 6:00 PM at the Cultural Centre.

Learn more on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent Council are calling for nominations for this year’s annual Accessibility Advisory Committee Awards.

To fill out a nomination form, please go to www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/accessibility-awards and when completed, please hit “SUBMIT”. If you require a paper copy of the Nomination Form to fill out, please reach out to your local Library or Municipal Centre and they will provide a paper copy to you.

Forms can also be submitted to any current member of the AAC or by emailing ckaac@chatham-kent.ca or CK311@chatham-kent.ca

Deadline for receipt of nomination forms is Friday, May 15, 2026.

Members of the community are invited to nominate a business or an individual they feel should be recognized in one of the following three categories:

Dr. Veronica Vaughn Accessible Business Award

Is presented to a business that stands out as providing an accessible facility and/or accessible customer service.

Sheila Lindsey Powers Accessibility Advocate Award

Is presented to an individual in this community who stands out as an advocate for the inclusion of people of all abilities.

Sid Ebare Perseverance Award

Is presented to an individual who stands out as a person who perseveres beyond their limitations to participate in community life.

The 2026 Accessibility Awards will be presented during the June 8^th Council Meeting.

‍The Thames Art Gallery invites the community to submit work for exhibition as part of the Community Arts Initiative: Queer Portraits.

The call for entry will open April 27th at 9:00 am and close May 29th at 4:00 pm.

Learn more on the Thames Art Gallery website.

Learning about and appreciating cultures different from our own helps us promote understanding and respect for each other. As Cinco de Mayo approaches, we recognize it as an important day in Mexican history. Any activities or events connected to this day should focus on respect and appreciation.

To learn more about the meaning of Cinco de Mayo and how to honour it respectfully, please visit the full document on our Let’s Talk page.

Have feedback or ideas to share? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us at DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca.

May 5th is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day. In honour of this day, several events will be held in Chatham-Kent. Scroll down to learn about the day and events.

All events listed are open to everyone.

Please contact us DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca if you would like to add other events.

Note: it is appropriate to wear red pins, ties, coats, shirts, to show support on May 5th and around the year. Read more about the purpose of the red dress below.

About The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People

Also called Red Dress Day, the day honours and brings awareness to the disproportionate violence that Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people face in Canada.

The red dress was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project, in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people found that, in Canada:

• Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people are 12x more likely to go missing or be murdered than all other women, and 16x more likely than Caucasian women.
• In the last 30 years, more than 4000 Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people have gone missing or been murdered. That’s about 133 a year or 3 a week.
• Because of persistent forms of oppression (racism, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism), complaints about missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Women, are less likely to be taken seriously or followed up.

The National Inquiry led to 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians.

Local Events

Tuesday, May 5, 4:00 - 6:30 PM

Deshkan Ziibi, 495 King Street West, Chatham

Co-sponsored by: Ska:Na Family Learning Centre; The Bleak House; 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre; Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network Social Planning and Action Network Member Table; and Women's Equity Business.

Everyone is welcome.

More information: May 5 2026: MMIWG Vigil & GINDAASDAA Circle | Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy | Let's Talk Chatham-Kent

Supports

This day may be triggering for some people. Help is available.

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people toll-free support phone line (24/7) 1-844-413-6649

Hope for Wellness Help Line (24/7) 1-855-242-3310

Manitoba MMIWG2S Self-Help Resources

Chatham-Kent Victim's Services

Learn More

Read the final report and Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S+ National Inquiry on the National Inquiry website

Visit the National Family and Survivors Circle website

Visit the Amnesty International No More Stolen Sisters website

Find book, video and podcast recommendations on Simon Fraser University’s website

Listen to the local Ode'mini Giizis podcast on Spotify or YouTube

May 5, 2026 Starting at 4:00PM

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Awareness Vigil

495 King Street West, Chatham (Deshkan Ziibi)

4:00 Vigil opening and drumming

4:10 Giving of Tobacco

4:30 Sharing Circle (Open Sharing)

5:00 Vigil Closing & Drumming

5:15 Taking down of the Red Dresses

5:30 - 6:30 Pot Luck meal

6:30 - 8:00 GINDAASDAA Circle (Book Club)

GINDAASDAA Circle (Book Club)

Everyone welcome!

In-person at 495 King Stret West, Chatham (Deshkan Ziibi) or Zoom if you can't make it in-person

Contact Naomi naomi@skanaflc.com to RSVP and/or to get the Zoom link.

Book: Odagahodhes: Reflecting on Our Journeys by Gae Ho Hwako Norma Jacobs (Author), The Circles of Odagahodhes (Author), and Timothy B. Leduc (Editor).

Meet the Author! Norma Jacobs will be at Deshkan Ziibi for the Vigil and the evening at the GINDAASDAA Circle.

Please shop local and check out the bookstores in your local area for availability.

The book follows a series of Indigenous sharing circles, relaying teachings by Gae Ho Hwako and the responses of participants - scholars, authors, and community activists - who bring their diverse experiences and knowledge into reflective relation with the teachings. Through this practice, the book itself resembles a teaching circle and illustrates the important ways tradition and culture are passed down by Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The aim of this process is to bring clarity to the challenges of truth and reconciliation. Each circle ends by inviting the reader into this sacred space of Odahahodhes to reflect on personal experiences, stories, knowledge, gifts, and responsibilities.

GINSAASDAA (Ghin-daahs-daah) means 'looking at something together and learning from it in the Ojibwe language. The GINDAASDAA Circle is a book club focusing on Indigenous authors who've written about Indigenous Knowledge, Reconciliation and Worldviews. A book will be chosen for everyone to read, review, and discuss at the bi-monthly GINDAASDAA Circle meetings. Suggestions are always welcomed.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is partnering with Trans Wellness Ontario to offer two webinars to support organizations with knowledge, skills, and resources to deliver supportive, gender-affirming services to their clients.

These workshops are intended to support organizations to:

• Meet legal and human rights obligations
• Improve equitable access to services
• Enhance community health and well‑being
• Reflect the real diversity of the local population
• Build public trust and inclusive spaces

Ultimately, this education supports organizations to provide services where everyone can access services safely, with dignity and respect.

Wednesday May 13, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Embracing Diverse Identities: Respecting the SOGIESC of Everyone

This foundational workshop will cover a wide range of topics related but not limited to:
- Important terminology and concepts related to SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and sex characteristics)
- Inclusive language and pronouns
- Being an effective ally and advocate, and addressing misinformation

Register through the QR Code on the poster or directly via Zoom.

Wednesday May 20, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Embracing Diverse Identities: Inclusive Practice Considerations

This workshop builds on the first and will cover a wide range of topics related but not limited to:

- Review of important terminology and concepts related to SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and sex characteristics)

- Review of inclusive language and pronouns

- Affirming representation and practice considerations

- Reflection on the critical and urgent situation

- Ways to engage and support

Register through the QR Code on the poster or directly via Zoom.

Questions or Learn More:

If you have any questions about the webinars or want to learn more about Trans Wellness Ontario's education and consultation services please reach out to education@transwellness.ca

On May 16th and 17th, 2026 Walpole Island First Nation will host their 32nd annual Spring Pow Wow in Bkejwanong Territory.

Free to attend. All are welcome.

Learn more about the Pow Wow on their Facebook Page.

Learn more about Pow Wows and etiquette:

A primer on Indigenous Pow Wows from Indigenous Corporate Training.

Indigenous Pow Wow Protocols from Indigenous Corporate Training

Indigenous Pow Wow Dances from Indigenous Corporate Training

Tips for Attending:

Listen to the Master of Ceremonies – they’ll explain what’s happening to help visitors.

Ask permission before taking pictures.

Want to get in on the dancing? Listen for the Intertribal dances - these are for all people present to partake in the dance.

Don’t touch people’s regalia without permission. They are not costumes and hold special meaning to dancers.

Support the vendors. Some vendors may have interact or etransfer options, but please make sure you have cash on hand as well.

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 necessary at cultural gatherings and ceremonial functions.

Sometimes specials can include placing a blanket on the ground for generous donations by visitors.

Security is provided for in parking lot areas.

Ambulance and police are present.

Don’t bring alcohol or drugs.

Have fun!