Honouring a Lifetime of Advocacy: Canada’s National Commemorative Ceremony for Murray Sinclair

On November 10, 2024, the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba will come together to honor the Honourable Murray Sinclair, C.C., O.M., M.S.C., K.C., also known as Mazina Giizhik, in a national commemorative ceremony. Sinclair, who passed away on November 4, was a beloved figure and a driving force for reconciliation, tirelessly advocating for the rights and dignity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

The ceremony, open to the public, will take place at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg at 2 p.m. CT. Leaders from across Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives, government dignitaries, and those who worked closely with Sinclair, will gather to celebrate his life. The public will have an opportunity to join the tribute, with doors opening at 1 p.m. CT. Musical interludes from artists such as Morgan Grace, William Prince, Fawn Wood, and Aysanabee will add a soulful depth to this homage.

Sinclair, a member of the Peguis First Nation, was born in 1951 in what was then St. Peter’s Indian Reserve, north of Winnipeg. From a young age, he showed a deep commitment to justice and education, graduating from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law in 1979 and being called to the bar in 1980. In 1988, he became the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba and only the second in Canada, eventually rising to serve as an Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court. His appointment was a milestone for Indigenous representation within the judiciary, reflecting a lifetime of breaking down barriers.

Throughout his career, Sinclair was a powerful advocate for Indigenous rights and a visionary who sought to expose the inequities embedded in Canada’s legal system. As co-commissioner of Manitoba’s Aboriginal Justice Inquiry from 1988 to 1991, he unveiled the systemic injustices Indigenous people faced. His recommendations, which emphasized the need for culturally informed sentencing, laid the groundwork for the Gladue principles adopted in 1996, transforming judicial considerations for Indigenous offenders.

Sinclair’s impact reached the national stage when he became the chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) in 2009. Under his leadership, the TRC spent six years documenting the harrowing legacy of Canada’s Indian residential school system and the profound generational trauma it left behind. The TRC’s final report, released in 2015, contained 94 Calls to Action—a comprehensive roadmap for fostering reconciliation and repairing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Canada.

From 2016 to 2021, Sinclair served as a Senator, further amplifying his voice in the corridors of Canadian governance. His dedication to education and justice continued when he became Chancellor of Queen’s University, a role he held from 2021 until earlier this year. Among the numerous accolades Sinclair received, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2022 and a member of the Order of Manitoba in 2024, reflecting the nation’s esteem for his work and vision. His influence was also recognized through nearly two dozen honorary doctorates and, in 2024, the title of King’s Counsel.

With flags flying at half-mast on federal buildings in Winnipeg and the Peace Tower in Ottawa, this commemoration reflects Sinclair’s legacy as a leader, guide, and teacher. His work transcended the courtroom, influencing countless lives and reshaping Canada’s approach to justice and reconciliation. Those unable to attend the ceremony are invited to leave their condolences online, ensuring his legacy endures in the hearts of all Canadians who seek a more compassionate and equitable future.