Thank you, Chair, for the opportunity to say a few words to celebrate the remarkable life and achievements of a true champion of justice and reconciliation, of course, the Honourable Murray Sinclair. He was a distinguished lawyer, a senator, and the first indigenous person to serve as chief justice of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench. Justice Sinclair's journey was a testament to the power of resilience, advocacy and vision.
As we know, he was born in 1951 in the small community of St. Peter's, Manitoba. He faced a number of challenges as a member of the Selkirk First Nation. His early experiences instilled in him a profound understanding of the injustices faced by indigenous peoples in Canada. Rather than being deterred, he channelled his experiences into a lifelong commitment to advocacy and change. Of course, his educational path was nothing short of inspiring. He obtained his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979, and he was one of the first indigenous lawyers in Canada, and that law career just flourished. I think it was his role as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that truly brought him to the forefront of the national consciousness. That happened in 2019.
As many have said, his work has had a profound impact on countless lives. His advocacy for education, justice and health, and equity for indigenous peoples has inspired a new generation of leaders. It was mentioned earlier that one of the quotes he is well known for—there are many—is that education is the key to reconciliation. He would say, as Mr. Carr pointed out, that education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it.
As was pointed out earlier, aside from his formal roles, he was a mentor to many. He was a role model, a beacon of hope.
I think that is a very quick synopsis of what he did, but I could go on for much, much longer. I appreciate this opportunity, and on behalf of the official opposition here, I'd like to express our deep gratitude to Justice Murray Sinclair for his unwavering dedication, his wisdom and his profound humanity.
I wish to extend condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.