Chatham-Kent Welcome Week is happening September 12th-21st. The week is an opportunity to connect newcomers to services in Chatham-Kent, celebrate the contributions of newcomers to Chatham-Kent, and to promote diversity in our community.

Events are happening all week, but the week starts on September 12th with a flag raising at Chatham-Kent Civic Centre at 12:30PM.

A full list of events is available on the Living CK website.

Hope to see you there!

September 15, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, Chatham Cultural Centre

Author Talk: Gabriel Allahdua - Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada

Free event and open to all. No registration required. Light refreshments will be served.

Chatham-Kent Public Library welcomes author Gabriel Allahdua. Gabriel will discuss his experiences as a migrant worker in Canada, where he was called essential, but treated as disposable, and how a truly healthy, sustainable, and just food system must nourish everyone - from the land to the workers.

Copies of 'Harvesting Freedom: The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada' are available to borrow from Chatham-Kent Public Library.

Made possible in part by the support of Rotary Club of Chatham-Kent in celebration of Welcome Week.

When decisions are informed by people who reflect the range of communities, perspectives, and experiences in Chatham-Kent, municipal policies and services work for more people.

Many newcomers don't know that there are ways that they can get involved in decision-making in Chatham-Kent, even if they are not Canadian citizens yet. Municipal engagement can take on different forms, whether it's watching or sharing your thoughts at Council meetings, joining Committees of Council, voting or running for Council.

During this session, newcomers will learn how to participate in the decision-making process in Chatham-Kent, regardless of their immigration status.

Learn more and register on EventBrite.

September 19, 2025, 7-11PM

Shatter the Silence. End the violence. Take back the night.

A celebration for all!

Begins at the WISH Centre, 177 King Street East, Chatham.

More information or register on Event Brite.

Come together to reclaim the night, standing up against gender-based violence. Free to attend for all. March and rally, share stories, and support each other. Together, we can work towards a safer community.

Free cowbells, noise makers, glow sticks, and whistles will be available before the march.

Limited number of pre-made signs available, but you can also make your own.

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, local events, and how to learn more.

About Orange Shirt Day

The Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation and residential school Survivor. As she prepared to go to residential school at six years old, Phyllis's grandmother bought her a new orange shirt. When she arrived at the school, the shirt was taken from her. For Phyllis, the shirt represented her experience at residential school, and the neglect and harm children faced. Today, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, commemorative day to reflect, learn, and raise awareness about the inter-generational impacts of residential schools. September 30th was chosen because it's the time of year children would be taken from their home to residential schools.

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day from the Orange Shirt Society or read the book Phyllis's Orange Shirt.

About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was officially recognized by the Government of Canada in 2021 as a result of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This is a day to lean in, listen, and learn about the ongoing impacts of colonization, including residential schools. It's a day to learn the 'truth' of our shared history, but also about how we can create pathways towards reconciliation and healing in our personal and professional lives.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day on the Government of Canada website.

Events

We encourage community to wear orange and participate in events below to show support for the children who never made it home, Residential School Survivors, family members, and communities impacted. Events are open to everyone and free.

Throughout September and year-round

Make-Your-Own Takwíhleew Orange Shirt Pins are available from Come Together CK (CTCK).

Takwíhleew (Tuck-we-l-ow) means 'Come Together' in the Lenape language.

Contact Lana Parenteau, CTCK Indigenous Navigator parenteaulana58@gmail.com for more information.

Monday, September 22, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Site.

Friday, September 26, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Wallaceburg Site.

Sacred Fire

Join Chatham-Kent Health Alliance in Ceremony and gather around the Sacred Fire. This is a time for reflection, learning, and healing.

Please bring a blanket or chair for comfort, an open heart and respectful presence. No registration required.

Click on the image to the left for more details. Contact equity@ckha.on.ca with questions.

Wednesday, September 24, 6:30PM

GINDAASDAA Circle

495 King Street West, Chatham and on Zoom

A book club focusing on Indigenous authors who write about Indigenous Knowledge, Reconciliation, and Worldviews. Everyone is welcome.

September's book is Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga.

GINDAASDAA (Ghin-daahs-daah) means 'looking at somethign together and learning from it' in the Ojibwe language.

See the full flyer for more details.

This book circle happens year-round. Contact naomi@skanaflc.com for more information.

Friday, September 26, 2:00PM, Information booths 1:00 - 3:00PM

Survivor's Flag Raising

Chatham Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham

Partnership with Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent,

September 30, 2025, 10:30 AM

4th annual Healing Walk & Gathering

Wallaceburg

Join us for a meaningful walk and ceremony honouring and listening to Survivor's of Residential Schools. Walk begins at Wallaceburg Library and ends at Civic Square Park for the gathering. Partnership between Walpole Island Employment & Training and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Contact us to add additional events: DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or 226.312.2023 x. 2447.

Learn

September 30th is a great time to commit to learning. Resources to support learning are included below. This list is not comprehensive but is meant as a starting place.

Listen:

A Day to Listen (September 30th)

Tune in to your favourite local radio station to learn about moving reconciliation forward in a meaningful way. Learn more from the Downie & Wenjack Fund website.

Watch:

Orange Shirt Day

Learn about the origins of Orange Shirt Day through this Youtube video by the Orange Shirt Society.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Lunch and Learns (September 22-26, 1:00-2:00 each day)

Open to anyone, five different webinars are offered throughout the week to build understanding of the Residential School system and meaningful efforts towards reconciliation. Learn more from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

Remembering the Children: Live Event Broadcast (September 30, 2025, 3:00PM EST)

Watch the national event at Parliament Hill. Watch and learn more on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

Read:

Residential Schools Timeline

A visual timeline of residential schools in Canada. Find it on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

The Witness Blank

Explore items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings accompanied by the voices of Survivors. Visit The Witness Blanket website.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Drafted from consultations with residential schools survivors and family members across the Canada. Recommendations are directed at individuals, organizations, and all levels of government. Read the Calls to Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

CK Road to Understanding Indigenous Cultures

Learn about local First Nations, relationships with government, and Treaties. Find the resource on the Living CK website. Hard copies of this resource are available by contacting us.

Supports

You are not alone. Reach out if you need support.

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help 24/7 to all Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 1-855-242-3310 (toll free) or online chat www.hopeforwellness.ca

National Residential School Crisis Line provides 24/7 crisis support to former Residential School students and their families. 1-866-925-4419 (toll free)

Help shape the community you want to be part of!

Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 PM, In-person at Bill's Place (48 Centre Street) and online (Teams meeting)

A partnership between CK Pride and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies.

Registration required. Register here: Lead with Pride: How to become (more) involved in municipal government

When decisions are informed by people who reflect the range of communities, perspectives, and experiences in Chatham-Kent, municipal policies and services work for more people.

Join Judy Smith, Director of Municipal Governance with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and municipal Councillors Alysson Storey and Brock McGregor to learn about the many ways you can be involved in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. From watching a Council meeting, making a deputation, contacting your local municipal Councillors, voting in municipal elections, joining a Committee of Council, or running for Council, learn ways to bring your perspectives forward!

In-person or online. Light refreshments provided in-person.

For more information contact Rebecca Haskell-Thomas, Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Municipality of Chatham-Kent DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or 226.312.2023 x. 2447

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.

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.

At the February 2025 Board of Health meeting, CK Public Health released a report about household food insecurity in Chatham-Kent. A few key findings included:

• 1 in 5 households in CK are food insecure
• Many people in CK don't have enough money to buy food
• The root cause of food insecurity is poverty
• Emergency food charity is not a long-term solution.

The report calls on community members and organizations to learn about food insecurity, talk to friends, family, and colleagues about the true causes of food insecurity, and advocate for income solutions.

Find the full report, the above infographic, and more information on the CK Public Health website.