(Vancouver, March 23, 2016) –  The Coastal First Nations is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Harvey Russ to the position of Chair. 

Kelly brings significant legal and human rights experience to the position. His experience as a board member and a mediator strengthens the Coastal First Nations leadership group, said Chief Marilyn Slett. 

As well as acting as the official spokesperson for the Coastal First Nations, Kelly’s primary responsibilities include providing leadership in the areas of fundraising, liaising with governments, industry, and conservation groups and providing support to the Board of Directors. 

Slett, the President of the Coastal First Nations, said Kelly’s collaborative approach fits well with enhancing our relationships with community members. “He will engage with our people on marine and land use planning, economic development and other issues we are working on. Engagement with community members is integral as we continue our innovative work on the coast.”

Kelly is excited to take on a leadership role for the Coastal First Nations. “I will work hard to advocate for change where it’s needed, provide leadership, and to build networks and tools that help our members.”

He is also involved in the community as a founding and current board member of Haida Enterprise Corporation (HaiCo). The corporation oversees four subsidiary companies in the areas of tourism, logging, fish lodges and fish processing. Kelly was also a founding board member and past President of the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services. The organization was established to enable an Aboriginal organization to deal with Aboriginal children in care in Metro Vancouver.

His past experience also includes nine years as part-time commissioner with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. As a commissioner he reviewed about 100 complaints per month under the Canadian Human Rights Act to determine if the complaints warranted a hearing.

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For more information:

Kelly Russ – 604-696-9889 (work) 604-828-4621 (cell)

kruss@coastalfirstnations.ca

Chair, Coastal First Nations

 

Chief Marilyn Slett – 250-957-7721

President, Coastal First Nations