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New Resource: Workplace Inclusion During Ramadan
This year, Ramadan will be observed from about March 10th - April 9th. Learn about Ramadan and how to be supportive of colleagues during this important time for people who are Muslim through the resource below.
This resource is intended for Municipal employees.
A video is up on our public DEIJ website with tips for how businesses and organizations can support colleagues and community members honouring Ramadan. Please feel free to share that post and video.
Have questions or feedback about the resource? Contact the DEIJ Coordinator DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or .2447
Click on the image below to view the resource.
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Feb 10: Inaugural CK Black Excellence Awards and Gala
On February 10th, the first ever Black Excellent Awards and Fala will be held at Retro Suites in Chatham.
The event, held during Black History Month, will honour the outstanding accomplishments of Black community members and celebrate local Black communities.
Gala tickets are $100 each and can be purchased through Event Brite.
Nominations for the awards are open until January 10th and can be made through the Google Doc form.
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Welcome Week 2023 in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent Welcome Week is happening September 8th - 17th. 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 8th with a flag raising at Chatham-Kent Civic Centre at 3:30PM followed by networking and speakers. More details on the flyer above.
A full list of events is available on the Living CK website.
Hope to see you there!
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, how the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is honouring them, community events, and where to learn more.
We would like to have a strong presence at Municipal partnership events. If you are interested in participating or helping at an event, please contact your Supervisor about what arrangements can be made (see Events section).
Contact your DEIJ Champion or the DEIJ Coordinator for more details DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
About September 30th
About
Orange Shirt DayThe 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.
Honouring September 30th at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent
The Municipality is partnering on several community events to honour Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage staff to participate in these events as able, learn, and reflect. More details in the 'Events' section below.
September 30th is a great time to commit to learning. Resources to support learning are included in the 'Learn' section below.
Time Off from Work
Although September 30th is a federally recognized Statutory holiday, it is not by the government of Ontario. All Municipal services and programs are operating. If you need time away to honour the day, please make arrangements with your Supervisor to use lieu time or another arrangement.
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)
Municipal Flags
To begin week-long events, the National Truth & Reconciliation Survivor's flag will be raised at the Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 26th. See event details below.
To commemorate National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Municipal flags at all Municipal buildings will be lowered on September 29th.
Orange Shirts
We encourage colleagues to wear orange the week of September 25th-30th to show support for Every Child Matters and Truth and Reconciliation. Any orange shirt or orange shirt pin works. If you prefer to purchase items specifically for the day from local Indigenous vendors, please reach out to the DEIJ Coordinator for information. DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
Events
Below is a list of some of the events happening in Chatham-Kent. We hope colleagues will participate, as able, to show a strong presence.
If you are interested in participating or helping out at the Municipal events where help is needed, please contact your Supervisor to determine what arrangements can be made.
For more information or to share other events, contact the DEIJ Coordinator DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
People are encouraged to wear orange at all events.
Tuesday, September 26, 11:30 AM Flag Walk & Raising
HELP NEEDED. Contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
Starts: Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 495 King St W., Chatham
Ends: Civic Centre, 315 King St W., Chatham
Municipal partnership. Walk with and raise the Truth & Reconciliation Survivor's flag. Partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre. Police escort will be present.
Thursday, September 28 Sunrise & Moon Gatherings
7:00AM Sunrise Gathering; 8:00AM Networking Breakfast; 9:00-11:00AM Sharing Circle
7:00-9:00PM Full Moon Gathering
All events at Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 495 King St. W. Chatham. Bring a lawn chair and warm clothing.
Offered through the 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, and Women's Equity Business.
Friday, September 29, 10:00 AM Orange Shirt Day Storytime
120 Queen Street, Chatham
Municipal partnership. Join the CK Public Library, Chatham Branch, for storytime to recognize and support Orange Shirt Day with Linda Lou, guest Librarian from Bkejwanong Territory, Walpole Island First Nation Public Library.
Friday, September 29, 10:30 AM Healing Walk and Gathering HELP NEEDED. Contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
Starts: Wallaceburg Library, 209 James St., Wallaceburg
Ends: Civic Square Park, Wallaceburg
Municipal partnership. Walk together and listen to guest speakers share their experiences and ideas about how we can heal. Partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-kent and Bkejwanong Territory Giyakiishchigewin program.
Saturday, September 30th, 7-11PM. Turns and Tales
By Punk Rock Flea Market. All ages and communities friendly event. Punk Nite Honours Truth & Reconciliation. Indigenous vendors. Donation to local charity. DJ Sisyphus playing Indigenous artists.
Learn
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action Number 57 calls upon all levels of governments (including municipal) to:
provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
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. Feel free to share resources you've found helpful in the Comments.
Listen:
A Day to Listen (September 30th)
Tune in to your favourite local radio station to learn about Mino Bimaadiziwin (the Good Life in Anishinabemowin). 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 25-29, 1:30-2:20 each day)
Open to anyone, five different webinars are offered throughout the week covering everything from the history and impacts of residential school, unconscious bias, to frameworks for how to move towards reconciliation. Learn more from 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 the DEIJ Coordinator DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
AMO Resources for Municipal - Indigenous Relationships
View resources and information from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario website.
Training:
The following organizations offer training to meet Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 57 (see above):
Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (fee based)
Indigenous Corporate Training (fee based)
4 Seasons of Reconciliation (fee based)
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September 2023 DEIJ Calendar
Please click on the image below to download the September 2023 calendar of dates significant to communities in Chatham-Kent. The calendar can also be found under the 'Resources' section.
Please contact us if you notice dates missing or errors deij@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447
Uses for the calendar:
- Use this calendar to inform programming, scheduling, and to better understand colleagues and communities we serve.
- To ensure everyone can participate and show respect for each other, avoid scheduling events (for staff or community) on important days of significance.
- Supervisors: People may ask for time off in honour of some of these dates. Employers have a duty to accommodate employee's creed to the point of undue hardship, including providing time off for religious holidays. Learn more from the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Community Events:
Find more information about community events to honour days of observance in the DEIJ Outlook calendar (contact us if you want access and don't have it) and the 'Engage' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.
We will share a schedule of events related to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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April 2023 DEIJ Calendar
The April 2023 DEIJ Calendar is now available for download through the DEIJ Calendar link under Important Documents or by clicking on the image below. The DEIJ Calendar has various days of significance with links to learn more.
Most Municipal employees should also have access to a DEIJ Calendar in Outlook that has days of significance with links as well.
Use this calendar to inform your programming, avoid unintentionally excluding certain groups by scheduling important meetings or events during days of significance, and to learn about the diversity of days observed by colleagues and community members in Chatham-Kent.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns, or if you see any dates I've missed.
