The United States has Martin Luther King, Jr. Canada has senator and former judge Murray Sinclair, says Clint Chocan former co-chair of the Heart of Treaty 6 (HOT6).
The respected Anishinaabe leader, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and listened to thousands of stories of residential school survivors passed away on Monday, Nov. 4 at the age of 73 in a Winnipeg hospital.
His family said his passing was “peaceful and surrounded by love.”
Sinclair visited Lloydminster on Mar. 1, 2019. He spoke at Lakeland College during the day and in the evening, he was the featured speaker at the Heart of Treaty 6 Gala at the Gold Horse Casino.
Michelle Hrehorick, an educational assistant at Lloydminster Comprehensive shares what has stayed with her from the visit.
“The one piece where he said education got us here, and education will get us out. It has stuck with me over the years and has guided me on my journey of reconciliation.”
She shares the importance of education with all her students. Hrehorick is also involved with a blanket exercise for young teachers.
Clint Chocan and Doug Abrosimoff (former co-chairs, HOT6) picked up Sinclair at the Edmonton Airport and brought him back to Lloydminster. Chocan says Sinclair’s definition of reconciliation has stayed with him.
“In its simplest form reconciliation is easy. It’s you being my friend and I being your friend, and you have my back, and I have your back. And we learn about each other for understanding.”
Chocan in reflecting on the task that Sinclair led in listening to the testimonies of thousands of residential school survivors, and then documenting their evidence in the final report, notes that Sinclair leaned on the wisdom of the Elders to give him strength to complete a task which was well worth doing.
“Reflecting on his teachings, we are reminded of the profound responsibility we bear as Indigenous people—one rooted in history, healing, and the pursuit of justice. As Murray often said, reconciliation is a challenging yet vital path, and we are committed to guiding our communities toward understanding, respect, and healing, just as he demonstrated through his example,” says Bruce.
Chocan concludes by saying we need to learn about each other.
“Sinclair inspired me. You don’t concentrate on the negative. You try to do things right.”
The Truth and Reconciliation report which was submitted in 2015 shows that between 1884 and 1996, the Canadian government sent over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children to 130 residential schools across the country. The report has 94 calls to action. These can be categorized into child welfare, education, health, justice, language and culture.
