IRSHDC is saddened to hear of the passing of the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair at 73 years old. He was instrumental in leading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a tireless advocate for Survivors of the Residential School system and for Indigenous rights.
Sinclair, also known by his spirit name Mazina Giizhik (the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky), was a trailblazer. He was the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba and the second in Canada, serving from 1988 to 2009. An Anishinaabe leader and respected Elder whose legacy will continue to lead the generations to come.
According to his family, Sinclair died “peacefully and surrounded by love” at a Winnipeg hospital on Monday, November 4th. A sacred fire has been lit outside the Manitoba Legislative building, and Sinclair’s family is asking for those who wish to pay their respects to not light any additional fires for him out of respect for his journey home to the spirit world.
Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved and respected him.