OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – March 19, 2010) – Today, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced two new appointments to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s (CRRF) Board of Directors.
Kenny Blacksmith and Hakim Feerasta were both appointed for three-year, part-time terms. The CRRF is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chair and up to 11 other directors appointed by the Governor in Council (Cabinet).
“The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is committed to building a national framework for the fight against racism in Canadian society,” said Minister Kenney. “The Government of Canada seeks to fill the Board with qualified individuals who can provide dedicated expert advice to manage the Foundation.”
Ismailimail 
Backgrounder from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website:
New appointments to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Kenny Blacksmith
Gloucester, Ontario
Kenny Blacksmith currently works as an Aboriginal management consultant providing services in Aboriginal rights, education, language and culture, as well as in management, marketing, communications, negotiations and Christian leadership training. He is the author of the Covenant of the First Peoples of Canada, which is a historic people-to-people Treaty between First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in Canada. As an ordained Minister, Mr. Blacksmith is keenly aware of social community issues, personal, family and inner healing needs. He was raised in the Cree Community of Mistissini Lake, Quebec and is a former Deputy Grand Chief of the Cree Nation of Quebec.
Hakim Feerasta
Toronto, Ontario
Hakim Feerasta is a senior Canadian executive with over 25 years of international experience, specifically with the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation. He started his work with the Aga Khan Foundation in 1978 as the founding Chief Executive Officer in Pakistan. Later, he became the Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan as well as a Resident Representative with the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan. He has a track record of establishing and managing sustainable livelihood programs and addressing broader socio-economic development issues in challenging environments.
About the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation undertakes research, collects data, and develops a national information base to further an understanding of the nature of racism and racial discrimination. It provides a knowledge base from which governments, academia, business, labour and community organizations can draw for the development of effective race relations policies and practices. The Foundation also disseminates information to increase public awareness of the importance of eliminating racism. For more information on the Foundation and its Board of Directors, please visit http://www.crr.ca
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THIS IS GREAT NEWS. I HAVE KNOWN HAKIM FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND SEEN HIM IN ACTION AS THE CEO OF AKF PAKISTAN AND HEARD OF HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN TAJIKISTAN AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. HE IS A SELFLESS WORKER AND A GREAT ACHIEVER AND WILL BE AN ASSET TO THIS FOUNDATION FOR RACE RELATIONS.GOOD LUCK TO HIM IN THIS ASSIGNMENT.
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Fantastic. May Allah’s Blessings be with Feerasta. Isit any wonder he has the name Feerasta!
I wonder if it possible to get his e-mail contact.
Would love to communicate a serious situation.
Zulfikar
zparpia@rogers.com
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I worked with Hakeem Feerasta at his office in Pakistan. He is a great leader. I wish you all the best.
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