Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the Chatham-Kent Public Library are getting ready to welcome an esteemed author to the area.
Indigenous scholar and author Jesse Thistle is set to come to Chatham on April 14 and make two stops while in the municipality.
Thistle hails from Saskatchewan and is author of the memoir From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless and Finding My Way. The book chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction.
In addition, Thistle won a Governor General's Academic Medal in 2016 and is a Pierre Elliot Trudeau Scholar and a Vanier Scholar.
As part of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) book club, CKHA Reads, Thistle will talk with the organization's staff, physicians and volunteers. Thistle will discuss a variety of topics including addiction, mental health, homelessness and indigenous health care.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jesse Thistle to CKHA. It's not every day we receive the opportunity to speak with and learn from a scholar such as Mr. Thistle," said Lori Marshall, CKHA president and CEO. "Our staff, physicians and volunteers are very appreciative of the chance to discuss indigenous health care with one of Canada's rising Indigenous scholars. Furthermore, it's a significant stepping stone for us as an organization as we continue to enhance our practices in regards to the Indigenous populations we serve."
In the evening, Thistle will then speak at an event hosted by the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
The event takes place at the Kiwanis Theatre in Chatham and is free to attend. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.