Chippewas of the Thames Anishinaabe'aadziwin Department

10/22/2026

Asking for help is hard, and it gets harder when past experiences with systems have taught you to expect judgment instead of care. For many First Nations families, trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles have been carried quietly for a long time, often without access to services that understood where that pain comes from or what it took to survive it.

Trauma-informed care starts from a different place. You don’t have to retell your whole story to be treated with respect. You get to set the pace, and support is built around your safety, your choices, and your dignity.

On November 4, the CHRO team is opening the doors of the Community Centre for an afternoon of good food and real conversation. Come meet the addictions, mental health, and harm reduction providers who work with our three Nations, put a face to a name, and ask the questions you’ve been holding onto. Fill your Connection Bingo card as you visit for a chance at the prize draw, and stop by for confidential Hep C and HIV testing. Everyone who gets tested goes home with a prize.

Showing up counts. Bring a friend, grab a plate, and come see what support can look like here at home.

📅 Wednesday, November 4 | 1:00 to 4:00 PM
📍 COTTFN Community Centre
Open to all CMO members and service providers.

09/08/2026

The school year starts today, and our roads look different than they did last week. There are small feet at the edge of the pavement, backpacks bigger than the kids wearing them, and parents walking younger ones to the bus stop for the first time.

Please slow down.

Part of Chippewa Road is a school zone with a posted limit of 40 km/h, and we are asking everyone to respect it. Please watch your speed through the rest of the community too, as a few seconds saved is not worth what could be lost.

Every child walking these roads belongs to someone in this community. Getting them there safely is something we all share, today and every day that follows.

09/08/2026

09/02/2026

Please get tested.

On Friday, October 23, women in the communities of Chippewa, Muncey and Oneida are invited to a private breast and cervical screening day at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital.

Regular screening is one of the most reliable things a person can do for their long term health. Breast and cervical cancers are among the most treatable when they are found early, often before there are any symptoms at all, which is exactly why the screening happens on a schedule rather than in response to something feeling wrong.

This day is set up to make that as straightforward as possible. Transportation is provided, and registration goes through your own health centre. A Knowledge Keeper will share traditional knowledge on women's health. Cervical screening will be done by the Midwives of Middlesex and Area. Before screening begins, health professionals will walk through what mammography, cervical screening, and FIT testing involve, so there is time to ask questions first. Light refreshments will be served.

Breast screening is for ages 40 to 74. Cervical screening is for ages 25 to 69. The day runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is required. Deshkan Ziibiing members can register with Connie French at the Chippewa Health Centre, 519-289-5641 ext. 231. Oneida members can reach Kathy Rowe at 519-652-0500 ext. 817, and Munsee members can reach Lauryn Kechego at 519-289-5396 ext. 229.

08/31/2026

TONIGHT!

Although the Special language night has been postponed, we are still able to continue with our regular scheduled language night. Dinner provided. 5:30-7:30 located -maajtaawaad 330 Chippewa rd. Ga-waabminim oodi!

Bi-zhaak!

08/17/2026

❤️

08/10/2026

Maanda naawkshig! Tonight! Gdo-bskaabii’mi! We return! Bi-zhaak Enji-maajtaawaad! Come out to the daycare! Naano-dbagane-shi-aabta. 5:30.
Chippewa Nation

Bi-zhaak!

07/01/2026

The Mount Elgin Residential School, which operated on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Reserve from roughly 1851 to 1946, ceased operations 80 years ago today.

The Mount Elgin Day School opened the following autumn (November 1946) and operated until 1992.

The document in the attached picture was written by Indian Agent George Down and addresses the termination of on-reserve land rental contracts with the school ahead of its June 30th closing date.

Through our research into the Mount Elgin Residential School, we wish to honour the students who attended and raise awareness of this difficult chapter in our history.

Miigwech,
The TLE Team

Image Source: Library & Archives Canada, RG 10 Vol. 6209, School Files Series, Reel -7940 (Slide No. 1596 of 2563)

06/15/2026

06/12/2026

COTTFN Volunteers needed in the Community Garden! 🌱

The Heritage Department has been working hard to prepare the raised beds and fill the water unit, but we still need helping hands to get the garden ready for planting.

We’re looking for volunteers to help w**d the community garden beds on June 11 and 12. Whether you can stop by for 20 minutes or stay for a few hours, every bit of help makes a difference.

Water and snacks will be provided. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, and garden gloves if you have them.

To join in or learn more, please call 519-289-5641 ext. 257. Feel free to invite a friend! 🌼