Memorial in Winnipeg on Sunday for judge, senator, TRC chair Murray Sinclair
They encouraged the public to celebrate his life and the journey he undertook.
A public memorial will be held in Winnipeg this Sunday to honour the life and legacy of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator, and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on residential schools. Sinclair, who passed away on Monday at 73, played a pivotal role in the reconciliation process between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The memorial event, organized by both the federal and Manitoba governments, will take place at the Canada Life Centre, home to the Winnipeg Jets. A teepee and sacred fire were set up outside the Manitoba legislature as a place for people to pay their respects, with the fire remaining open to the public until Sinclair’s funeral. His family has invited individuals to visit and offer tobacco in accordance with Indigenous traditions.
Sinclair’s family expressed their gratitude for the public's outpouring of love and support, describing his impact as profound and far-reaching. They encouraged the public to celebrate his life and the journey he undertook.
Sinclair, an Anishinaabe man, was the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba and the second in Canada. He played a critical role in the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba, which examined systemic issues within the justice system, especially after the deaths of Helen Betty Osborne and J.J. Harper. Sinclair also led the TRC, which investigated the residential school system, hearing from thousands of survivors. The TRC’s final report in 2015 called the actions of residential schools cultural genocide and included 94 calls to action aimed at redressing the legacy of the institutions.
Leaders across Canada have paid tribute to Sinclair’s contributions. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called him a key architect of reconciliation, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised him as a teacher, guide, and friend who helped Canada confront difficult truths.
