Thunder Bay, ON – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) honours the life and service of the Honourable Murray Sinclair, Anishinaabe leader and member of the Peguis First Nation, Manitoba. The people of Turtle Island grieve the loss of such a champion of Indigenous justice and advocacy.
Mr. Sinclair became a lawyer in 1979. He was appointed Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba in March of 1988. He was Manitoba's first Indigenous Judge, and at that time, Canada’s second. Following his appointment as Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba in 1988, Judge Sinclair was also appointed as Co-Commissioner, along with Court of Queen's Bench Associate Chief Justice A. C. Hamilton, of Manitoba's Aboriginal Justice Inquiry. He became the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) from 2009-2015 and, in 2016, was appointed to the Senate of Canada where he continued his lifelong journey as an advocate for Indigenous and social justice.
As the Chief Commissioner of the TRC, Mr. Sinclair led efforts to document the experiences of residential school survivors and promote healing and reconciliation. His work culminated in the TRC’s final report, which included 94 Calls to Action aimed at addressing the legacy of residential schools and fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
Among the 94 Calls to Action several specifically addressed the needs and rights of Indigenous women and girls. These included Calls to Action 41, which called for a public inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Calls to Action 53 to 56, which focused on establishing a National Council for Reconciliation to monitor and report on progress, including the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls.
Mr. Sinclair led a very public and distinguished life of service. He dedicated time to writing articles to educate the broader public. He served on Boards and devoted time to public education, environmental issues, public speaking, and became a mentor to countless people. His life’s work saw him recognized with prestigious awards, including Lifetime Achievement Award, Indspire (2017) Companion, Order of Canada (2021), and the Order of Manitoba (2024).
Mr. Sinclair will be greatly missed. He was a beacon of strength. He taught people what reconciliation should look like. He provided some of the most significant pieces of work in Canada’s history.
ONWA extends heartfelt condolences to Mr. Sinclair’s family and community. Murray Sinclair’s passing is truly a national loss. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.
For more information and media inquiries, contact:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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