WINNIPEG – Murray Sinclair, born at a time when Indigenous people did not yet have the right to vote, grew up to become one of the most decorated and influential people working in justice and defense indigenous rights.

A former judge and senator, one of Sinclair’s most important roles was as chair of the Residential School Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The father of five died peacefully Monday morning in a Winnipeg hospital, a statement from his family said.

He was 73 years old.

“Mazina Giizhik (he who speaks of images in the sky) dedicated his life to serving the people: creating change, revealing the truth and leading with fairness throughout his career,” the statement said, citing his traditional name anishinaabe.

Tributes came from across the country, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“He challenged us to confront the darkest parts of our history – because he believed we could learn from it and be better for it,” reads a message from Trudeau on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a friend and a distinguished leader in Canada who stood for human rights, justice and truth,” said Governor General Mary Simon.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said Sinclair “broke barriers and inspired countless people to pursue reform and justice with courage and determination.”

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham called Sinclair a leader in justice, education and reconciliation.

“His passing is particularly sad because the journey he started is still ongoing, with much work to do. »

A sacred fire to help guide his spirit home was lit outside the Manitoba legislature, the family said.

Born in 1951, Sinclair grew up on the former St. Peter’s Indian Reserve, north of Winnipeg. He was a member of the Peguis First Nation.

He was raised by his grandparents and graduated from high school in Selkirk, Manitoba, where he excelled in athletics.

Some of his earliest childhood memories were published earlier this year in his memoir, “Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation.”

In it, Sinclair describes the discrimination he faced as an Anishinaabe in a non-Native school.

“Even though I and others have successfully implemented this system, it has not been without cost to our own humanity and self-esteem. This is the legacy we all find ourselves in today.

In 1979, Sinclair earned his law degree at the University of Manitoba and later became Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge – the second in Canada.

He was co-chair of the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Inquiry to examine whether the justice system had failed Aboriginal people following the murder of Helen Betty Osborne and the police shooting of JJ Harper.

While leading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he participated in hundreds of hearings across Canada and heard testimony from thousands of residential school survivors.

The commissioners released their highly influential final report in 2015, which called what happened at the institutions cultural genocide and included 94 calls for action.

“Education is the key to reconciliation,” Sinclair said. “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it. »

Two years later, he and the other commissioners received the Meritorious Service Cross for their work.

It was one of many recognitions Sinclair received during his career.

He received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, now the Indspire Awards, in the field of justice in 1994. In 2017, he received a lifetime achievement award from the organization.

In 2016, Sinclair was appointed to the Senate. He retired from this position in 2021.

The following year, he received the Order of Canada for devoting his life to defending the rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples.

In accepting the honor, Sinclair said he wanted to show the country that working on Indigenous issues requires a national effort.

“When I talk to young people, I always tell them that we all have a responsibility to do our best and be the best we can be,” he said.

Sinclair has limited his public engagements in recent years due to his declining health.