@TereseMarieM Where I'm from in Alberta, life expectancy for NDNs has dropped by 7 years between 2015-2021. Given the stats, I've got 10-15 years left in me. Maybe less. Bereaved parents tend to die younger too. Time to start writing. Thank you for the reminder.
Tonight, I’m thinking about Justice Murray Sinclair and of the times that I was lucky enough to hear him speak about his work with the TRC. This moment stands out for me. It’s his answer when he was asked, “Why can’t you just get over it?”
The Faculty of Native Studies would like to extend our condolences to the family of Dr. Murray Sinclair, who passed over today. Dr. Sinclair's passing marks the loss of a powerful advocate for truth and reconciliation in Canada.
Known for his work leading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he brought national attention to the stories of residential school survivors, offering Canada powerful tools to reckon with our history. His TRC leadership, in fact, marked a long and distinguished career. He was Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge and later served as a federal senator, always focused on justice and equity for Indigenous nations and our communities. His calm strength and commitment continued to inspire all of us, and he leaves a legacy that encourages our continued collective work toward truth and reconciliation.
Murray Sinclair sat through the testimony of thousands of Residential School survivors and fought to get them justice. He pushed to get an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, he pushed for clean water on reserves, he was the best of us.
https://t.co/uEbOBAKZLH
Withdrawal is treatable, and no one should die from it.
If people are dying of withdrawal in #yeg Remand, why is the Alberta government rushing to force more people with addictions into locked facilities under the guise of 'treatment'? #ableg
https://t.co/xSwmn1M0EV
It saddens me to learn of a hero, a legend, world changer Justice Murray Sinclair’s passing. As the first Indigenous judge appointed in Manitoba and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), he fundamentally changed how Canada confronts its history of residential schools and Indigenous relations.
Justice Sinclair led the historic TRC from 2009 to 2015, documenting the devastating impact of residential schools by gathering testimony from over 6,500 survivors. His work brought previously silenced voices to the forefront of Canadian consciousness and resulted in 94 Calls to Action that continue to shape Canada’s path toward reconciliation.
Beyond the TRC, his achievements were remarkable - from his groundbreaking appointment to the bench in 1988 to serving as a respected Senator from 2016-2021. He conducted important inquiries into Indigenous healthcare and justice systems in Manitoba, consistently advocating for systemic change with wisdom, dignity and determination.
A respected Ojibwe leader and mentor, Justice Sinclair helped countless Canadians understand that reconciliation is not just about acknowledging the past, but about creating a better future together. His legacy lives on in Canada’s ongoing journey toward truth, healing and meaningful reconciliation.
Chi-miigwech, Justice Sinclair, for your transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to justice. My loving condolences to his family as they bid goodbye 🪶
📸 Justin Tang Canadian Press
To honour the passing of Murray Sinclair, I’ve put an orange shirt in my window - and I’m inviting others to do the same across the country. We owe him, and the residential school survivors he supported, a great deal for helping to put us on the path of truth and reconciliation.
Something that Tanya Talaga said a couple of weeks ago that hasn’t left me: when you think of Murray, think of the weight of hearing thousands of accounts of untold horror, and the toll it would take on your body. Think of taking that on. https://t.co/30LQbg26Q2
Murray Sinclair, the former Senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has died at 73.
Sinclair was also a judge in Manitoba from 1988 to 2009 and was the first Indigenous judge appointed in the province. #cdnpoli
My latest is out with @aljazeeraenglish featuring photos by @photobracken
This is the stunning story of residential school and 60s Scoop survivor Martha Cardinal of Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Through devastating odds, Martha became a mother, grandmother, Cree language teacher and community inspiration. Her healing journey is chronicled in my story which you can read online.
Support survivors. Listen to their truth. Celebrate their resilience. 🧡🧡🧡
https://t.co/pU3KqXDk4D
@profbenperrin More of this, and this..."The final phase is when residents are released, which includes up to six months of assistance finding work, housing and other support with their transition back into the community."
Please contribute to Budhan Theatre’s (theatre troupe of denotified tribal community in India) excellent initiative. Their work is so inspiring and their stories are so important.
Help Launch Budhan School for Theatre and Film https://t.co/QtMaSTUrqr