Credit: Art Babych/Shutterstock.com
“The road we travel is equal in importance to the destination we seek. There are no shortcuts. When it comes to truth and reconciliation we are forced to go the distance.”
Scotiabank is deeply saddened to hear about the untimely loss of the Honourable Murray Sinclair at the age of 73.
Mazina Giizhik (the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky) of Peguis First Nation was the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba (the second in Canada), a member of the Canadian Senate, and served as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada from 2009 to 2015.
He died in a Winnipeg hospital on Monday.
Sinclair’s work on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission sparked long-overdue conversations about Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, specifically the destructive and ongoing effects of the residential school system.
“Senator Sinclair’s voice, wisdom, leadership and work has had extraordinary impacts, leading our nation toward its collective awakening of Canada’s past and continued treatment of Indigenous Peoples and our shared accountability toward truth and reconciliation,” said Scott Thomson, President and CEO of Scotiabank.
Sinclair’s work deeply influenced Scotiabank’s own Truth & Reconciliation strategy. His words — “there is no reconciliation without truth” — inspired the Bank’s path toward reconciliation and its commitment to keeping truth central to its work.
“Scotiabank is deeply grateful for Sinclair’s generous teachings. His contribution will be felt for generations to come and will continue to inspire many,” Thomson said. “On behalf of Scotiabank, I extend my condolences to his family and to all those impacted by the loss of Mazina Giizhik.”
Sinclair’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Murray Sinclair Memorial Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation. Funds will prioritize Indigenous women, children, families, and survivors of residential schools.
To honour Sinclair’s legacy, Scotiabank has made a donation to support this important work.
The family said a sacred fire has been lit outside the Manitoba legislative building “to help guide Mazina Giizhik’s spirit home. Everyone is welcome to visit his sacred fire to make an offering of tobacco and send him your best wishes.”
The family asked that others not light any other fires for him.
