Tributes pour in for Murray Sinclair, former head of Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Anishinaabe judge, who led commission that made 94 calls to action, dies in Winnipeg
Murray Sinclair, who led Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission between 2009 and 2015, is seen listening during the National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony in Ottawa in 2022. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
As tributes poured in Monday for Murray Sinclair, the former chairperson of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said he leaves an “invaluable legacy of bringing to light the stories of thousands of residential school survivors.”
“[This] marking moment in Canada’s history led to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, which have initiated positive change for Indigenous communities in all spheres of society,” Simon said in a statement issued after Sinclair’s family announced he had died Monday morning in Winnipeg. He was 73.
His family’ statement recalled Sinclair’s reputation as an “exceptional listener who treated everyone with dignity and respect.”
Sinclair, who was also a judge and a senator, led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 2009 to 2015.
The commission held hundreds of hearings across the country, asking Indigenous people who had attended residential schools about their experiences. Its final report in 2015 included 94 calls to action aimed at building a more respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.
On the social media platform X, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sinclair “dedicated his life to repairing Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples.”
“He listened to residential school survivors, and he made sure Canada heard their stories,” Trudeau said of Sinclair’s work on the commission.
“With his passing, Canada has lost a giant — a brilliant legal mind, a champion of Indigenous rights, and a trusted leader on our journey of Reconciliation,” Trudeau said.
A post on the X account of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organization representing Inuit in Caada, said “Inuit are grateful for [Sinclair’s] unwavering leadership, wisdom and advocacy. Canadians will be positively impacted by his incredible legacy for generations to come.”
Murray Sinclair was a giant indeed. I had the honour of hearing him deliver the keynote address in Winnipeg at the annual national conference of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention and that speech changed my understanding of Canada and its obligations to Inuit, First Nations and Metis forever. The obligation to reconcile and redress is fundamental to my being Canadian. I feel honoured to have met this man in my lifetime and will go to my grave considering him the greatest man I have ever met. Thank you Murray Sinclair.
Justice Sinclair was a great man and he will be remembered for many great things especially for the enormous amount of work he did towards Indigenous rights and reconciliation. As an Inuk law student, I had the wonderful opportunity to have him assigned to me as my mentor at the Robson Hall law school of the University of Manitoba while he was a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench (around 20 years ago). During law school, when he was my mentor, his ‘greatness’ gave me the push to work for Indigenous people and Inuit rights. During his life, he had been a great source of information as he had one of the biggest hearts and was one of the smartest men that I know, especially when it came to Indigenous law, rights and reconciliation. He was always willing to provide his advice and knowledge, both as mentor and as an elder, with issues that may have come up at anytime during practice. Given his willingness to assist and the input he made when people would ask, he will mean so much more to the history of reconciliation in Canada than anyone could think.
I thank Justice Sinclair (“Murray” as he would always insist I call him, but I would tease him with Justice Sinclair, lol) for all that he has done for me as an Inuk woman and an Inuk lawyer. I also thank him for all that he has has done towards repairing the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous people. Also, for what he has done to bring truth to the treatment of Indigenous people and for the understanding he brought about Indigenous people’s rights. I wish him great peace and send him great love. I know you have made many Indigenous law students and University students look up to you the way I have and we will all miss you, Murray. I will always hold a special place in my heart for you and will always think of you when I work on reconciliation. May you RIP Murray. Nagligusuktunga Murray.
Please everyone Murray’s family has asked that if you are in Winnipeg and if you want to pay your respects you can visit the sacred fire that has been lit outside the Manitoba Legislative Building and make an offering of tobacco to send him your best wishes but please DO NOT light any other fires for him so that his journey is respected. Also, in lieu of flowers, and if you are able, you can donate to The Murray Sinclair Memorial fund at The Winnipeg Foundation. Murray loved and supported many community organizations and those funds will prioritize Indigenous women, children, families, and Survivors. Qujannamiik