ACCUC Statement on Murray Sinclair (1951-2024)
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada (ACCUC) expresses its deepest sorrow at the passing of former Senator Murray Sinclair yesterday.
As a voice for justice and reconciliation, Murray Sinclair had a major impact among First Nations communities, as well as the national and international communities. He served as the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 2009 to 2015 and later served as a Senator from Manitoba as well as the 15th Chancellor of Queen’s University. Much is owed to him for his integrity, foresight, wisdom, and leadership.
Following on the heels of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action, the institutional members of the ACCUC released a report in 2017 entitled Dialogue Together With Action: Canada’s Catholic Colleges and Universities & the Road to Reconciliation. This comprehensive national report provided an account of the many actions already underway at the Canadian Catholic post-secondary institutions to promote and nurture Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The report was launched in Ottawa on October 24, 2017, and presented to Senator Sinclair as the past Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
For more information about Justice Sinclair, please see the following: https://www.cbc.ca/news/
We join with all those holding Murray Sinclair and his family in their thoughts and prayers and will honour his legacy by continuing the work of Reconciliation in our institutions.
Carl Still
Chair, ACCUC