Honourable senators, it is not often that one can say a person changed the country by what he did, by whom he was. One such individual is Murray Sinclair. Today, on behalf of the Independent Senators Group, I pay tribute to our beloved colleague.

Murray Sinclair — judge, senator, fierce advocate for Indigenous rights — leaves behind a profound legacy. Born in 1951, he made history as the first Indigenous judge appointed in Manitoba, paving the way for greater representation. However, his game-changing contribution came through his role as the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or TRC, where he tirelessly sought to address the historical cultural genocide faced by Indigenous peoples.

Under his wisdom, the final report was published in 2015, including 94 Calls to Action. For Murray, first, we must acknowledge the painful truths of the past, then we must embrace pathways towards healing and understanding.

Appointed to the Senate in 2016, his voice in this chamber was a vital one, ensuring that Indigenous rights were not only recognized but integrated into the fabric of Canadian law and policy.

I, too, was appointed the very same day. To me, he was kind, caring, funny, always asking about my son and reminding me that family is what matters the most.

In memory of Murray Sinclair, we from the Independent Senators Group honour not just the man but the movement he inspired. His legacy will continue to guide our work. He reminds us that reconciliation is a journey, one that requires truth, understanding and an unwavering commitment to justice.

To us here he was Murray Sinclair, but in the end he was always Mazina Giizhik-iban — the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky. He left us an Anishinaabe Inini, true to his heart.

About two cords of timber kept the sacred fire going non-stop for days. His spirit was fed with his favourite foods, including his preferred candy: jujubes. Three Fires hosted a private funeral with his family and close ones. That day, Murray, who loved rock music and began riding a motorcycle at 70 years old, was escorted in a casket by fellow bikers to his final resting place. They played, loud and clear, Pink Floyd’s song “Another Brick in the Wall.”

This makes me smile, as I am sure it made him smile. He gave us many gifts.

Daga giwii-bimaadiziyang ezhi-gii-bimaadizid. Murray, Mazina, we miss you.

Meegwetch.

Honourable senators, on behalf of myself and the entire opposition in the Senate, I rise to honour the life and legacy of the Honourable Murray Sinclair.

Our former colleague had a lifelong career dedicated to public service. His public service journey began with his historic appointment, as has already been said, as Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge. His profound understanding of the law paved the way for his role as the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Murray Sinclair undertook that monumental task of leading the TRC and uncovering the painful truths of Canada’s residential school system after being appointed to that position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The commission heard from more than 6,500 witnesses from across the country, forming the foundation for the 94 Calls to Action in its final report. This report serves as the blueprint for reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of education, cultural preservation and systemic reform. It reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing journey that requires the commitment of every individual and every institution.

Murray fought for justice and the recognition of Indigenous rights in Canada. He was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in, which he continued to do as a legislator here in the Senate of Canada. He engaged in spirited debates with some of us in this chamber, and those moments are captured in the Hansard and can be reviewed or relived at any time. I trust that if you do choose to go back in time and read those Debates, you will undoubtedly be able to remember and hear Murray’s deep, resonant and rich voice.

Colleagues, I respect someone who diligently works to defend and promote what they perceive as important, even if I may not always agree. Senator Sinclair and I often — and it’s no secret in this chamber — had diverging opinions on legislation, which I believe ensured a high quality of debate. At his celebration of life in Winnipeg, his son Niigaan shared that a certain unnamed Conservative senator was responsible for debates that kept his father up many late nights. I take pride in that.

Beyond his professional achievements, Murray was a loving husband to Katherine and a devoted father to his children. He had a great sense of responsibility to his family and his community.

To his family, thank you for sharing your loved one with us. We hope you find strength and resilience as we express our gratitude to an incredible Canadian trailblazer. Our deepest sympathies are with you. Thank you, colleagues.

Honourable senators, on behalf of the Canadian Senators Group, I’m honoured to pay tribute to the late Senator Murray Sinclair, who left us on November 4 of this year. It was a sunny but cool morning in Winnipeg, but as the news spread of his passing, the sky over the city became grey, as if it too felt the loss and was reflecting our spirits.

In Manitoba, Murray Sinclair was a household name: lawyer, judge, TRC Commissioner, senator, advocate, teacher. My first encounter with him was shortly after my appointment to the Senate. I had given an interview where I talked about his impact on this chamber and how I felt that he had left big shoes to fill. He called me shortly after the interview was published and spoke with me as if we had known each other for a lifetime. He joked that his shoes were not so big, and we had a long conversation, the first of several, where he shared his grace, wisdom, advice and humour.

Senator Sinclair described the Senate as “Canada’s Council of Elders.” He shared with me how each one of us has a professional and personal responsibility to be agents of change.

Honourable colleagues, we’ve lost an elder who placed us on the long path to reconciliation. We have lost a colleague who leaves a legacy of public service and a deep commitment to truth, justice and dignity for all people.

During Senator Sinclair’s national memorial ceremony, his son Niigaan Sinclair said this about his father:

Few people have shaped this country in the way that my father has, and few people can say they changed the course of this country the way that my father had to put us on a better path. He is, in many ways, the epitome of all of us: the good, the bad, the great, all of the parts that come together to this place.

Upon becoming Premier of Manitoba, Wab Kinew said that Senator Sinclair passed on advice that resonated beyond the landscape of a new government:

. . . learn to love the people, even when they don’t love you. . . . And over his great life, Murray learned to love us. . . . He showed that with the TRC and everything he did, he loved the people, all the people.

During the ceremony, his son also shared the following quotes from his father, the first of which dates back to 1997:

Ultimately, no matter how we envision it, change rests with you, those of you who are here and ready to put in the hard work to do it. For change to happen though, you have to commit personally.

And finally: “Keep trying. Dream. Dream always because you have been given the gift to do that.”

To his family, we express our deepest and sincere condolences. He will be deeply missed.

Honourable senators, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I rise to pay tribute to a man who touched countless lives, the Honourable Murray Sinclair.

Murray was not only an extraordinary leader but also an exceptional human being. His distinct combination of authority, humility and love set him apart in every role he held, including as a lawyer, judge, commissioner and senator. Whether addressing a colleague, friend or stranger, Murray made everyone feel truly seen and valued. My deepest condolences go out to all who knew and loved him, especially his beloved family, whom he spoke of with such pride.

Murray was a generous mentor and true friend, offering wisdom and guidance with profound depth and joyful humour. I last saw him just a few months ago with Senator Pate. We shared stories and laughs at his home in Winnipeg, which I will forever treasure.

Murray’s impact on this country is immeasurable. As chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, for example, he faced the immense task of documenting hard truths about Canada’s past and ongoing relationship with Indigenous peoples. He led this incredibly difficult and emotional work with unwavering courage, deep compassion and steadfast purpose, and we owe him a profound debt of gratitude and respect.

It was an honour to serve alongside Murray in this chamber and to call him a mentor and friend. Before his retirement, he entrusted me with making the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in response to Call to Action 80, a reality. Murray was a powerful voice for residential school survivors and Indigenous people. I am humbled to follow in his footsteps, and I know each September 30 we will be reminded of his profound and lasting impact.

What stood out most about Murray was his belief in the power of education: “Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of it,” he often said. It is now our responsibility to honour and fulfill the vision he set forth for meaningful reconciliation grounded in truth, justice and healing.

Rest in peace, Murray. You leave behind a lifetime of service that will continue to guide generations to come towards a more united and equitable future.

Thank you. Wela’lin.

Honourable senators, I would ask you all to rise and observe one minute of silence in memory of our former colleague the Honourable Murray Sinclair, who passed away on November 4, 2024. I extend my deepest sympathies on behalf of all senators and all associated with this place to his loved ones.