The Brock community is mourning the loss of Justice Murray Sinclair, the groundbreaking Anishinaabe Senator and judge who led Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  

“On behalf of everyone at Brock, I want to extend my most heartfelt condolences to the Honourable Murray Sinclair’s family,” says Lesley Rigg, President and Vice-Chancellor. “His commitment to truth and justice was unparalleled and should serve as an inspiration to us all. Today, Brock honours his legacy by re-affirming its commitment to de-colonization and fostering meaningful reconciliation on campus and in the wider community.”  

Known by the spirit name Mazina Giizhik (the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky), Sinclair spent six years chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which explored the devastating impact of Canada’s residential school system.  

The work resulted in 94 calls to action, many of which involve the education system.  

“Mazina Giizhik’s work ensured Canadians understood that the harms inflicted on Indigenous communities across the country did not come to an end when the last residential school closed in 1996,” says Robyn Bourgeois, Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement. “He will be remembered for his tireless advocacy on behalf of all Indigenous Peoples, and he will be deeply missed.”  

Brock will lower its flags to half-mast in honour of Sinclair’s life and legacy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo credit: Archkris, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.