an Anglican expression of reconciliation with Archbishop John Privett offering a Pendleton blanket and a prayer shawl

Justice Murray Sinclair: A Reflection in His Memory

“We have described for you a mountain, we have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.”

– Commissioner Justice Murray Sinclair at the issuing of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)

Murray Sinclair walked beautifully on this earth, leaving a legacy of love, integrity and justice. There will be good words shared about his profound impacts in the Senate, the field of law and more. His work with survivors and his fellow Commissioners at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was courageous and bold, and leaves a rich legacy of challenge and blessing for the church and Canada.

There are too many beautiful and powerful nuggets to share here, but many who attended TRC National events will remember some important ones:

  • Sinclair challenged the flippant phrase ‘its in the past, get over it’ by reminding Settlers that the legacy of colonialism and residential schools is a part of daily life in Indigenous communities.
  • Sinclair stressed that the residential schools lasted 7 generations and that the reconciliation process would be a multi-generational project. For the church and Canada this is a continual reminder that the work of right relationship and reconciliation takes a long-term commitment over many years.

Those who were blessed with the opportunity to witness the TRC saw Murray Sinclair as a presence of attentive listening and genuine graciousness that honoured the courage and truth of survivors. His ability to hold a room and talk in a way that we had to listen and listen well was extraordinary and an inspiration.

His loving and honouring of survivors and community also found its way into the pages of the TRC volumes and Calls to Action. Sinclair’s love for survivors and the profound wisdom and integrity he brought to the process was a part of the TRC’s spiritual and political call to reconciliation, justice and right relationship. In hearing that call and the stories and voices of Indigenous people who carried such searing truth, the church and Canada cannot but change.
Sinclair was a deep well of love for people that was part of the open and inviting spaces at TRC events. Within that warmth Sinclair was also a bold speaker of truth. His character and integrity was part of making the TRC and the stories of survivors a testimony about Canada.

May his memory too be a blessing.

A reflection by Mike Hogeterp

Photo credit: Stephen Kendall
September 21, 2013, Vancouver, B.C.

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