Murray Sinclair received the Order of Canada during a ceremony Thursday at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall.
The former senator, who was recognized for devoting his life to defending the rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples, took his wife’s hand when the award was announced and received a standing ovation as he stood up for receive it.
Sinclair, 71, is also a highly respected voice on Indigenous and non-Indigenous reconciliation issues chaired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Born in 1951 and raised in the old Indian reservation of St. Peter’s in the Selkirk area of northern Winnipeg, Sinclair is an anishinaabe and a member of the Peguis First Nation.
Sinclair was the first Indigenous judge in the Manitoba Bank and only the second Indigenous judge appointed in Canada.
He also served as co-chair of the 1988 Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in Manitoba.
Katherine Morrisseau-Sinclair takes her husband’s hand, Murray Sinclair, at Thursday’s ceremony. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)
His appointment to the Senate took place in April 2016, four months after the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He retired on January 31, 2021, and took over as Rector of Queen’s University on July 1, 2021.
Governor General Mary Simon presented the award to Sinclair at Thursday’s ceremony, which took place several months after it was first announced she would receive the honor.
In accepting the award, Sinclair wanted to show the country that working on indigenous issues requires national attention and participation, he said in an interview.
He said that he has begun to reflect on his life and realizes that he has had both the joy and the sadness that comes with participating in this work.
The award recognizes the importance of this work and can serve as inspiration for younger people, Sinclair said.
“When I talk to young people, I always tell them that we all have a responsibility to do the best we can and to be the best we can be,” he said.
Murray Sinclair is accepted by Governor-General Mary Simon after being sworn in as a Fellow of the Order of Canada. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission investigated the experiences of Indigenous children sent to residential schools.
She said it was a special honor to receive the award from the hands of Simon, the first indigenous governor general, as she is a good friend and was an honorary witness to the commission.
“As an Indian, we had a unique relationship and I think we took her to what happened here,” she said.
The Order of Canada is one of the highest honors in the country, for those who have made outstanding contributions to Canadian society.
Sinclair also received the Meritorious Service Cross for his role in overseeing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and producing his final report.