A trailblazer with ‘a great deal of integrity’: Murray Sinclair’s memorial draws dignitaries, more than 1,000 supporters By: Nicole Buffie Posted: 9:51 AM CST Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 Last Modified: 9:12 AM CST Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 Updates

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The Canada Life Centre was awash in red Sunday afternoon as part of the celebration of the life and legacy of Murray Sinclair.

Tears, memories, laughter and heartfelt tributes from the likes of the prime minister, governor-general and First Nation chiefs echoed through the downtown arena in what was the first national commemorative ceremony to honour an Indigenous leader.  More than 1,000 members of the public gathered to pay their respects to the former judge, senator and Truth and Reconciliation Commission chairman.

Sinclair died Nov. 4 at St. Boniface Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 73. Sinclair’s spirit name is  Mazina Giizhik-iban (The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky). After his death, iban was added to that name in recognition that he is now an ancestor.

Prime Minster Justin Trudeau challenged the audience to instill the values Sinclair lived by, including continuing his work on reconciliation.

”He believed that while it would entail hard work and tough conversations, it was possible to change hearts and minds,” Trudeau.

Red carpets lined the floor-level seating area where dignitaries and honoured guests sat during the service while red overhead lights shined down on the hockey rink of Sinclair’s beloved Winnipeg Jets. A painted portrait of Sinclair stood on stage surrounded by bouquets of white flowers. The scent of sage and sweet grass wafted through the arena during the service, which lasted nearly three hours. Indigenous-themed musical performances, including a song from William Prince whose Peguis First Nation was also home to Sinclair, were also part of the homage to the influential Manitoban.

During the memorial service, notable quotes from Sinclair flashed across the arena’s screens. “We have not only opened people’s eyes, but we have turned people’s heads. The ones who would look away now can no longer look away,” read one from Sinclair  in reference to the TRC’s findings.

Niigaan Sinclair, Sinclair’s son and a Free Press columnist, led the service and remembered his father as the first Indigenous person in many rooms in a time in which Indigenous peoples were not welcome.

“In courtrooms, in boardrooms, classrooms. That meant he spent a lot of time explaining, teaching, listening and walking alongside a country that didn’t always want to hear what he had to say, but eventually, much of that country came to listen, to learn and to take action with him,” he said.

Sandra Somerville says she will remember Sinclair as a thoughtful advocate for Indigenous people.

“Our world is a better place because of Murray Sinclair,” Somerville said. “He carried so much on his shoulders to open up the awareness of our Canadian people of every race and culture and creed to the experience of the Aboriginal people. He did it quietly with a great deal of integrity.”

Sharon Taylor attended the memorial to pay her respects to Sinclair, who she called a “fine man.”

“In these days of all the attention that some politicians get, we need to celebrate our fine, fine people who have done so much for our country,” she said.

Last week, thousands paid respects at a sacred fire for Sinclair at the Manitoba legislature. A public viewing took place last week at the Caboto Centre.

Sinclair worked on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to uncover truths about the residential school system. The TRC heard thousands of testimonies from Residential School Survivors and went on to commission the report containing 94 calls to action for wide-scale, systemic changes for reconciliation.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon worked with Sinclair on the TRC.

“He contributed a great deal, but at the same time, I remember him as someone very gentle. His wisdom is always there. He was very gentle and always willing to learn and listen,” Simon said Sunday morning.

In 2022, Simon inducted Sinclair as a Companion of the Order of Canada for his life’s work.

Simon called Sinclair a trailblazer in listening to the experiences of survivors and documenting Canada’s role in the residential school system.

“He uncovered a lot of that through his work, and spent the time to make sure that other people, other colleagues, understood the story, the true history,” Simon said.

Premier Wab Kinew shared how influential Sinclair was in his life, including advising him to persevere when he doubted whether he should carry on as Opposition Leader.

“Though we have lost our teacher, we have not lost his teachings, Kinew said.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak applauded Sinclair’s work with the TRC for paving an equitable path for Indigenous people.

Before his efforts on the commission, Sinclair co-authored the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry which examined Indigenous experiences with the justice system. The AJI’s final report made 296 recommendations for changes within the justice system to address discrimination against Indigenous people.

“We could always count on justice Sinclair to be relentless and thorough in his quest for justice for absolutely everyone,” Woodhouse Nepinak said.

Elder and community advocate Gerry Shingoose attended residential school and said Sinclair’s work gave voice to survivors like her.

“He gave us that healing and he gave us that strength so that we could move forward to share our stories,” she said. “He gave so much love to the survivors. including myself, and today I want to I want to bring that love to (him).”

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs acting grand chief Betsy Kennedy said the TRC and its 94 calls to action was a turning point in addressing the atrocities committed within the residential school system.

“Murray Sinclair gave us more than an apology … he gave us reason to stand tall in our truth,” Kennedy said.

Simon said the calls to action should act as a path towards reconciliation but admits there is still work to do in implementing all 94.

In December 2023 MP Dan Vandal, minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, said more than 85 per cent of the 94 calls to action have been completed or started.

Simon said there needs to be a stronger effort between the federal government and Indigenous people to work towards reconciliation and to implement those calls to action.

Nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca