On the Late Honourable Murray Sinclair…By Donna McGreal, CLC Indigenous Lead November 2024
Murray Sinclair during opening keynote of the Shingwauk 2015 Gathering. Photograph taken during is address to survivors. Photo by Melissa Connors - used under creative commons licence
Education is what got us here and education will get us out. - Murray Sinclair
Many of us non-Indigenous people never met the Late Honourable Murray Sinclair; however, that connection to him, his words, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and his constant guiding hand in the media gave us confidence in the belief that reconciliation will be achieved. We trusted him, believed him and repeated his words to others as we joined hands with him in truth and reconciliation, and even though he is gone from us, we still honour him. To understand his character, his beliefs and his love of Indigenous culture, you soon know that he was a man of principle who gave life to the meaning of two cultures walking together. He never faltered in stating the truth and it was his powerful voice for which we had long yearned. He gave us everything he had and the appreciation for him and the stellar life he led continues to hold us in awe of his legacy.
Consequently, it is our responsibility to Murray Sinclair, to Indigenous Peoples and to ourselves to read his National Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, search out his quotes and believe in them. They belong to all of us. It is time for all people living in Canada to acknowledge our true history of colonialism and bravely and honourably stand up for equality. Sinclair told us that, Reconciliation requires action, not passiveness…. There is a better path that the Church and all Canadians can follow: taking responsibility for past actions and resolving to do better on this journey of reconciliation. We must commit ourselves to talk to and about each other with respect. https://lastrealindians.com/news/2022/7/28/statement-by-honourable-murray-sinclair-on-the-popes-apology?rq=sinclair. He continually drew our attention to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Originally rejected by the Federal government of Canada, it has now received Royal Assent, and we try to wait patiently while an implementation plan is being developed at the Federal level.
Sinclair’s legacy is great and is a testament to one man’s devotion to humanity. He was raised as a Catholic and was aware of the teachings of love and equality in Christianity but knew these teachings existed in Indigenous spiritualty and in other religions. It is the loss of purity of the teachings that often results in things going wrong. Residential schools are a prime example of this failure. https://www.catholicregister.org/item/32474-church-leaders-not-teaching-at-root-of-indigenous-abuse
Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation (2024) by the Honourable Murray Sinclair CC (Mazina Giizhik) is a book, released shortly before his death and is a must read for all Canadians who have the desire to bring our country together in peace and reconciliation.