News Release
November 4, 2024

UBCIC Mourns the Loss of Mazina Giizhik, Murray Sinclair: Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation Leader of Our Time

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – November 4, 2024) Mazina Giizhik (the one who speaks of pictures in the sky) Murray Sinclair, Anishinaabe leader, former judge, Senator, and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has died at age 73. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) mourns the tremendous loss of Mr. Sinclair who has been monumental in guiding this country on its path to reconciliation.

Mr. Sinclair was known across Turtle Island and throughout the world as an unparalleled First Nations justice leader and for his unwavering dedication to Indigenous peoples. He was Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge and only second in Canada and worked tirelessly to reform the justice system for 25 years as a civil and criminal litigator, and as an Indigenous and human rights advocate – including for First Nations bands, Indigenous children, Friendship Centres, Métis organizations, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, the Four Nations Confederacy, and Residential School survivors.

“UBCIC offers our deepest condolences to Mr. Sinclair’s family, particularly his children Gazheek, Niigaanwewidam, Dené, Kizhay and Miskodagwaaginikwe, and his grandchildren, as well as his community, and all those who have been touched by his many decades of advocacy work including survivors and intergenerational survivors of Residential Schools,” stated Chief Don Tom, UBCIC Vice-President. “Mr. Sinclair and his late wife Katherine Morrisseau-Sinclair, who passed in June of this year, were prominent cultural leaders within the Anishinaabe community whose loss will reverberate across the country. We celebrate and thank Mazina Giizhik for his life’s work, and his family for sharing him with communities across the country who benefited from his time, generosity, and love.”  

“Murray Sinclair will undoubtedly be remembered for taking on the momentous role of head commissioner to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and travelling across the country to listen, record and honour the stories of more than 6,500 Residential School survivors over six years. His painstaking dedication to hold space for these truths brought the realities of Residential Schools out of the shadows and into public and policy discourse. Mr. Sinclair’s voice created space for the acknowledgment of Canada’s policies of forced assimilation, for healing to begin for survivors, and left us with a framework for reconciliation. Mr. Sinclair leaves behind 94 Calls to Action, only 13 of which are reported to have been fully implemented as of 2023. Canada owes it to Mr. Sinclair to honour his life’s work and legacy and make good on implementing the Calls to Action as he always wished,” stated Chief Marilyn Slett, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, concluded, “Mr. Sinclair will be remembered as a cornerstone in this country’s journey to reconciliation, for casting a light on colonial oppression, injustice, racism, and violence against Indigenous peoples, and making our lives better in every way. We are all richer for having known Mr. Sinclair, whether directly or indirectly, and we will continue to feel the impacts of his legacy as one of the greatest humanitarians and truth tellers of our time for years to come. While his efforts have undoubtedly contributed to widespread understanding and action on Indigenous justice issues, his passing comes at a time when Canadians are wrestling with the truths of Residential Schools. Mr. Sinclair lived long enough to witness the increase in racist Residential School Denialism, and the ongoing investigations into missing children and unmarked burials at former Residential School sites outlined in Kimberly Murray’s report last week. We urge all levels of government and Canadians to reflect on Mr. Sinclair’s contributions. I know that we will continue to walk the path he laid out for us until we achieve his vision of reconciliation and justice for Indigenous peoples in this country.” 

Guidance on how to pay respects can be found in a statement from Mr. Sinclair’s family. The family shares that “a sacred fire to help guide Mazina Giizhik’s spirit home has been lit outside the Manitoba Legislative Building. Everyone is welcome to visit his sacred fire to make an offering of tobacco and send him your best wishes. Out of respect for his journey for the next few days, the family respectfully asks others across the country to please DO NOT light any other fires for him.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be shared with The Murray Sinclair Memorial Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation.

-30-

Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

Download PDF