NationTalk: Iqaluit, Nunavut– The Board of Directors and staff of QIA would like to express their deepest condolences to the family of Justice Murray Sinclair, Justice Sinclair passed away earlier this week at the age of 71.

Justice Sinclair’s influence on Canadian and Indigenous policies simply cannot be overstated. As Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge, he broke barriers across the Country. Sinclair, is known primarily as the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, supervising and overseeing nearly 6000 gatherings to discover the truths of the Government of Canada’s involvement in the Residential School System, and its effects on Indigenous Children.

“As QIA continues to work towards Saimaqatigiingniq. We must acknowledge the important contribution of Justice Sinclair to Indigenous peoples across Canada, our hearts are heavy today,” says QIA President, Olayuk Akesuk.

Justice Sinclair visited Iqaluit in 2010 as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Justice Sinclair was appointed to the Senate in 2016 and retired in 2021 and was awarded with the Order of Canada in 2022.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Karen Flaherty
Director, Strategic Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(P) 867.975.8398 or toll-free 1.800.667.2742

kflaherty@qia.ca