Canadian Race Relations Foundation: CRRF welcomes National Institute for People of African Descent

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) welcomes the Government of Canada's announcement to establish and fund the National Institute for People of African Descent. Congratulations to all those involved in the development of this important initiative, and to the Caribbean African Canadian Social Services (CAFCAN) who will be leading this crucial work.  

In February 2024 the CRRF released Reflection on the first decade: Black Canadian leadership at the UN Forum for People of African Descent and as part of our call to action, the CRRF recommended the creation of the National Institute for People of African Descent. An enduring mechanism for continued dialogue, exchange, knowledge-production and mobilization is urgently needed to sustain the leadership of Black Canadian civil society.  

We recognize that addressing anti-Black racism requires organizations like the CRRF to listen and work alongside communities at the forefront of this important work. We look forward to working with the Institute and its community partners in addressing anti-Black racism and supporting the work of the Institute in building solutions that are focused on the advancement of Black communities across Canada.