'He gave people hope': Northerners remember former lawyer and senator Murray Sinclair

Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, listens during a commission event in Vancouver in 2013. Sinclair died on Monday in Winnipeg. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press - image credit)
Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, listens during a commission event in Vancouver in 2013. Sinclair died on Monday in Winnipeg. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press - image credit)

People in the North are remembering renowned senator and lawyer Murray Sinclair for his contributions to the territories and his work to bring the stories of residential school survivors to light.

Sinclair died at a Winnipeg hospital early Monday morning at the age of 73.

His legacy can be seen and felt across the country, including in the North where he made several visits including during his time as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Yukon Commissioner Adeline Webber attended the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in Whitehorse in 2013. She was there to tell her story as a residential school survivor.

Sinclair met with thousands of survivors during his work as chair of the TRC.

"He could walk into a room and have the attention of everyone," Webber said. "He just had such a presence."

Webber said during the Whitehorse hearings, Sinclair listened to survivors and their families in a way that made them feel heard.

"He gave people hope that their stories were listened to, that they were understood," she said.

Adeline Webber stands at the site of the former Chooutla Indian Residential School in Carcross, Yukon. Her brother died while attending the school and the family never learned where he was buried.
Adeline Webber stands at the site of the former Chooutla Indian Residential School in Carcross, Yukon. Her brother died while attending the school and the family never learned where he was buried.

Yukon Commissioner Adeline Webber spoke during the Truth and Reconciliation hearings in Whitehorse, where she met Sinclair. (Juanita Taylor/CBC)

George Mackenzie, Dene National Chief in the N.W.T., said Sinclair "impacted the North greatly."

"A lot of us went to residential school, our parents went to residential school," Mackenzie said. "It's a hard story to tell."

Mackenzie said Sinclair spoke from the heart.

"When he speaks, people listen. He makes people move through his words when he talks. This was so much needed," Mackenzie said.

Garth Wallbridge, a Métis lawyer in Yellowknife, said he remembers Sinclair as "a very great man."

"He really deserved that honorific, the honourable," he said.

Wallbridge said Sinclair's work is why people are aware of the 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Garth Wallbridge is a Metis lawyer in Yellowknife.
Garth Wallbridge is a Metis lawyer in Yellowknife.

Garth Wallbridge is a Métis lawyer in Yellowknife. (Jenna Dulewich/CBC )

"As much as he thought about reconciliation, he wanted the truth to be out there," he said.

Math'ieya Alatini, former Kluane First Nation chief, also met Sinclair when he visited the Yukon.

Alatini said she's reflecting on the "power of one person to really stand up and be that strong voice for Indigenous people in Canada."

She said she hopes others carry on his work, specifically on the 94 calls to action included in the TRC's final report.

Piita Irniq has been trying to get justice for his friend for years.
Piita Irniq has been trying to get justice for his friend for years.

Piita Irniq worked closely with Sinclair during his time on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

"Every individual has a responsibility to look at that report," she said. "Educate yourself on that work."

Piita Irniq, a former Nunavut commissioner, served as the TRC's Inuit cultural advisor for three years, and worked closely with Sinclair.

"He had a great deal of love and compassion, caring and respect for Indigenous people, because he worked very hard for the Indigenous people, as well as our parents, who were left behind when we were forcibly taken away by the church and the government of Canada," Irniq said.