(Ottawa, ON) – November 5, 2024 – It is with profound sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of the Honourable Murray Sinclair known as Mazina Giizhik- The One Who Sees Pictures in the Sky” at 73 on Monday, November 4, 2024. As he joins his late wife Animikiikwe, Katherine Morrisseau-Sinclair, in the Spirit world, Canada loses one of the most visionary leaders, and Indigenous Peoples lose a tireless champion.

Mazina Giizhik was not just a devoted husband and father, grandfather, and protector of his family, he was a protector of the rights, dignity, and future of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.  His legacy as the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a former Senator, Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge, and one of Canada’s most influential legal minds, will echo for generations. He was an Order of Canada recipient, member of the Three Fires Society, and Fourth Degree Chief of the Midewiwin Society – titles that reflect his extraordinary commitment to our people, his culture, and his unwavering pursuit of justice.

Murray Sinclair’s life was a testament to brilliance, perseverance, and courage. A gifted student, who skipped two grades, becoming valedictorian and athlete of the year of Selkirk Collegiate in 1968. In 1980, he was called to Manitoba’s bar, specializing in Indigenous law and human rights. His incredible ability to navigate both the Canadian legal system and Indigenous law led him to the bench at just 37 years old, where he became a beacon of fairness, compassion, and integrity.

The Sinclair family shared, “The impact of our Dad’s work reached far across the country and the world. From residential school Survivors to law students, to those who sat across from him in a courtroom, he was always known as an exceptional listener who treated everyone with dignity and respect.”

His work transcended the courtroom, touching the lives of those who had suffered the deepest of injustices. Through the TRC, he gave voice to the Survivors of Residential Schools, and through his lifelong commitment to human rights, he shaped the path toward a more just and compassionate Canada.

His voice, his wisdom, and his guidance were gifts to us all. He leaves behind a legacy that is not just written in legal rulings or speeches, but in the hearts of all those who were touched by his Spirit, and his relentless work toward healing. One of his final gifts to the world is his recently published book, “Who We Are: Four Questions for A Life and A Nation.” In the powerful words of Mazina Giizhik: “Remember, Reconciliation is yours to achieve. We owe it to each other to build a Canada based on our shared future, a future of healing and trust.”

“Words cannot fully capture the weight of Murray Sinclair’s legacy,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at the Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF). “His contributions to Reconciliation are not just monumental – they are the foundation upon which we continue to build a country based on our shared vision of equity and respect for all. He was a force of nature whose leadership has shaped the course of Indigenous rights, peace, justice, equality, and Reconciliation. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but his Spirit and wisdom will continue to inspire generations of Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians.”

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led charitable organization dedicated to fostering healing and Reconciliation in Canada. For over 24 years, we have worked to educate Canadians about the history and ongoing impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Child Welfare System on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Peoples. Through our exhibitions, K-12 curricula, workshops, podcasts, Oral Testimonies, and resources, we strive to build empathy, understanding, and the collective will to address discrimination and injustice.

We encourage all Canadians to reflect on the profound contributions of the Honourable Murray Sinclair and continue the work of Reconciliation that he so passionately championed. Let us honour his memory by committing ourselves to a shared future of mutual respect, trust and healing.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Directrice générale et conseillère juridique interne
Fondation autochtone de l’espoir
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca