The Honourable Murray Sinclair dedicated his life to repairing Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. As the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he challenged us to confront the darkest parts of our history — because he believed we could learn from them, and be better for it.
He listened to residential school survivors, and he made sure Canada heard their stories. He advocated for the right of Indigenous students to go to school in their language and culture. And he was kind, patient, and understanding to people like me, who had a lot to learn. “Education got us into this mess,” he said. “Education will get us out.”
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.
My thoughts are with the Sinclair family, his friends, his colleagues, and everyone who is grieving today. We will miss him dearly.
ALT The Honourable Murray Sinclair is seated next to a person, at an event in Ottawa, Ontario. The side of his face is in focus, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is standing in the background.