Murray Sinclair, a prominent figure in advocating for Indigenous rights and history, passed away at the age of 73 on Monday morning in a Winnipeg hospital. His family has confirmed that he died peacefully.

Sinclair holds the distinction of being the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba and the second overall in Canada. He served as a senator from 2016 to 2021. Throughout his remarkable career, he took the lead in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where he traveled extensively across Canada to hear testimonies from innumerable individuals affected by the residential school system.

Between the 19th century and the 1970s, over 150,000 Indigenous children were compelled to attend state-funded Christian institutions aimed at assimilating them into mainstream Canadian culture. These schools enforced a strict adherence to Christianity and prohibited the use of native languages. Many children endured severe physical and emotional abuse, and estimates suggest that up to 6,000 students lost their lives in these settings.

In 2008, the Canadian government issued a formal apology in Parliament, acknowledging the rampant abuse suffered by students at these schools. Many survivors recounted the harsh discipline they faced for speaking their native languages, along with the profound disconnection from their families and traditional practices. The commission’s final report released in 2015 characterized the actions of these institutions as acts of cultural genocide.

In 2022, Sinclair was honored with the Order of Canada, recognizing his lifelong commitment to advocating for the rights and freedoms of Indigenous peoples. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to him, emphasizing Sinclair’s courageous efforts to confront the painful aspects of Canada’s history to foster understanding and growth. “He challenged us to confront the darkest parts of our history — because he believed we could learn from them and be better for it,” Trudeau remarked.

Sinclair, born in 1951 on the former St. Peter’s Indian Reserve near Winnipeg, was a member of the Peguis First Nation. After graduating from the University of Manitoba’s law school in 1979, he dedicated 28 years to serving as a judge.

In his memoirs, Sinclair candidly shared his struggles with congestive heart failure, a condition he battled in recent months while receiving hospital care. His legacy as a champion for Indigenous rights and a voice for the voiceless will undoubtedly be remembered by many.