THE SINCLAIR FILE

1951

Murray Sinclair is born near Selkirk, Man. His mother dies when he is one. His father, a residential school survivor, is unable to raise Sinclair and his three siblings. They are raised by his grandparents.

1968

Graduates from Selkirk Collegiate, a public high school, and is the class valedictorian and athlete of the year.

1976

After studying history at the University of Winnipeg, moves to the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law.

1979

Graduates and becomes a lawyer with a specialty in aboriginal issues.

1988

Is appointed Manitoba’s first aboriginal judge, then is appointed to co-chair a commission with Justice Alvin Hamilton on aboriginal justice in the province.

1995

Is appointed to head an inquest into how 12 infants died at a Winnipeg hospital after heart surgery. Later releases a damning report that concludes 10 of the 12 baby deaths could have been prevented.

2007

Is asked to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission looking into residential school abuses (TRC). Still emotionally exhausted from the baby inquest, he declines.

2009

After the three original members of the TRC resign, Sinclair agrees to become chair.

June 2, 2015

Sinclair and his co-commissioners to release a summary of their final report.