On Monday, we learned of the passing of the Honourable Murray Sinclair, the former judge, human rights champion, senator, and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), whose advocacy and work forever changed Canadians’ understanding of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools.
A source of inspiration and hope for people across the country, his work brought one of Canada’s darkest legacies to the light — the Indian Residential Schools system. It was a system that operated for more than 150 years, ripping First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families, communities and cultures. Children suffered physical and sexual abuse, and thousands died. The TRC described the intent as cultural genocide.
Sinclair was chair of the TRC with commissioners Chief Wilton Littlechild and Marie Wilson. Between 2007 and 2015, they travelled across the country to listen to and document the testimonies of more than 6,500 residential school survivors and families. The TRC’s final report and 94 Calls to Action provide a vital roadmap for reconciliation for individuals and organizations across Canada.
Murray Sinclair’s impact on George Brown College
For us at George Brown, Sinclair’s work informed the creation of our Indigenous Education Strategy, collaboration and work with our treaty partner, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and other college-wide efforts to embed Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being into our decision-making, curriculums and community-building efforts on and off campus.
We were honoured to welcome Sinclair to the college in 2018 when he was the keynote speaker at the Tommy Douglas Institute. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide our work toward reconciliation at George Brown College and beyond.
I encourage everyone in the George Brown community to take the opportunity in the wake of this sad news and during Treaties Recognition Week to reflect on Sinclair’s life’s work and how we can commit to ongoing reconciliation and building understanding for a brighter, shared future.
Dr. Gervan Fearon
President
