The Office of the Treaty Commissioner was heartbroken to hear of the passing of Senator Murray Sinclair, the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools.

A member of Peguis First Nation signatory to Treaty One, Sinclair was born in 1951, before Indigenous people had the right to vote, Sinclair grew to be a key figure in Indigenous advocacy as a judge of 28 years and a Canadian senator.

The 2015 final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission included the 94 Calls to Action, which are the foundation of reconciliation work in Canada today. Sinclair believed strongly in the role of education in this work

“Education is the key to reconciliation,” he said. “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it.

We extend our condolences to the family, friends, community, and the hundreds of thousands of lives Sinclair touched through his work. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with those who grieve his passing.

We can honour his life by continuing the work of his enduring legacy—advocating for and advancing truth and reconciliation.