People across northwestern Ontario honour late Murray Sinclair and his impact on Indigenous lives

People from northwestern Ontario are remembering the Honourable Murray Sinclair for his impact in the region and across Turtle Island.

Sinclair died at age 73 at a Winnipeg hospital early Monday morning "peacefully and surrounded by love," his family said in a statement.

He was Manitoba's first Indigenous judge, led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and also served as a senator.

In 2017, he was appointed by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to look into its concerns over the ability of the Thunder Bay Police Service Board — the civilians appointed to oversee the local force — to address issues raised by Indigenous leaders.

"His investigation uncovered systemic racism and validated long-standing concerns held by the Indigenous members of the Thunder Bay community," Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) said in a statement Monday on Sinclair's passing.

Riley Yesno, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and research fellow at the Yellowhead Institute, said learning about Sinclair's death was like a "gut punch."

"There's very few, if any, other people in this country right now that have made such an impact … [and] touched every individual Indigenous person's lives," said Yesno, who is a member of Eabametoong First Nation.

"The entire trajectory of the country, politics and government has not been the same since the work of the [TRC] Commission … I was just kind of, I think, marinating in that whole realization of how much we've lost."

Yesno said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is ingrained in many people's minds, but recalls there were many challenges getting it off the ground before Sinclair was appointed chairman.

"I really think that it's because especially of his work that we even got a Commission that people still reference today in the first place — and I think that that labour really can't be understated," said Yesno.

Leaders with NAN, a political territorial organization that represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, are also mourning the loss of Sinclair.

"We are terribly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend this morning. We extend heartfelt condolences to his family, Peguis First Nation, and friends and colleagues across Turtle Island. May the Creator guide him as he begins his Spirit Journey," said NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler in Monday's statement.

Sinclair's wisdom and knowledge inspired many young people across NAN territory. Throughout the years, he engaged with NAN youth and facilitated opportunities for them to develop relationships with upper levels of government, says NAN's release.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa of Kingfisher Lake First Nation held a moment of silence for Sinclair on Monday at Queen's Park.