The Honourable Murray Sinclair, CC, MSC
15th Chancellor of Queen’s University
The Honourable Murray Sinclair’s legal credentials are well known. What is less well known is that he is Anishinaabe and a member of the Peguis First Nation. He is a Fourth Degree Chief of the Midewiwin Society, a traditional healing and spiritual society of the Anishinaabe Nation responsible for protecting the teachings, ceremonies, laws, and history of the Anishinaabe. His Spirit Name is Mizhana Gheezhik (The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky).
His Honour graduated from law school in 1979. He has been involved with the justice system in Manitoba for over 40 years, first as a lawyer representing Indigenous clients, as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Robson Hall, as Associate Chief Judge of Manitoba’s Provincial Court and as a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench. He was the first Indigenous Judge appointed in Manitoba and Canada’s second.
He served as Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba and as Chief Commissioner of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). As head of the TRC, he participated in hundreds of hearings across Canada, culminating in the TRC’s widely influential report in 2015. He also oversaw an active multi-million dollar fundraising program to support various TRC events and activities, and to allow survivors to travel to attend TRC events. In 2017 Governor General Julie Payette awarded him and the other TRC Commissioners the Meritorious Service Cross (Civilian) (MSC) for service to Canada for their work on the TRC.
He was active within the profession and his community and was a member of the faculty of the National Judicial Institute training judges about Indigenous law and social justice issues. He has won numerous awards, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Manitoba Bar Association’s Equality Award (2001), its Distinguished Service Award (2016) and the CBA President’s medal (2018). He has been named as one of Canada’s Indigenous People’s Counsel (IPC) by the Indigenous Bar Association.
He has received Honorary Doctorates from 19 universities. He retired from the Bench in January 2016, and was appointed to the Senate on April 2, 2016. He retired from the Senate effective January 31, 2021, to return to the practice of law and to mentor young lawyers.
He has been invited to speak throughout Canada and internationally, including the Cambridge Lectures for members of the Judiciary of the Commonwealth Courts. He continues to maintain an active public speaking schedule and was named the 15th Chancellor of Queen’s University in July 2021. His Honour is currently writing his memoirs.
Recent Articles
Celebrating Chancellor Sinclair's Installation (November 2022)
Building a new relationship - Queen's Alumni Review (August 2021)
15th Chancellor Announcement (April 2021)
The Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre Fund
The Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre Fund was established to support discretionary support for the Director, Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (FDISC). Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre seeks to enhance the development and well-being of the Queen's University Indigenous Community. Four Directions welcomes and encourages all students to develop an awareness and appreciation of the Indigenous experience in Canada. In keeping with the teachings of the Four Directions, the Centre strives to support individual Indigenous students in balancing their academic, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.
About the Role of the Chancellor
The Chancellor is the highest officer and the ceremonial head of the University.
Contact the Chancellor
Please direct mail to:
The Honourable Murray Sinclair
Chancellor, Queen’s University
Richardson Hall, Room 351, 74 University Avenue
Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
