A legacy of empathy, justice and compassion
We are saddened to hear of the passing of the Honourable Murray Sinclair. The Anishinaabe former senator, judge and leader in Canada’s justice system has passed away at the age of 73. His legacy is one of empathy, justice and compassionate action for human and non-human societies.
Beyond his work leading Canada’s landmark Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he was a beacon of change for animals with his work in Parliament on Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act. Originally introduced in 2015 by Sen. Wilfred Moore, the bill took nearly four years to work its way through Parliament and was voted into law in 2019.
Taking Bill S-203 further, in 2020 Senator Sinclair partnered with Dr. Jane Goodall to introduce the Jane Goodall Act to create some of the strongest protections for animals in captivity in the world. The bill also aims to phase out the captivity of elephants and great apes in Canada.
Here is an excerpt from Sen. Sinclair’s speech about Bill S-203 in 2018. (You can watch the full speech here.):
“We need to remember what this bill is really about: whether whales, dolphins and porpoises should be kept in captivity. When thinking about this, the bottom line is let’s not forget the creatures living in the concrete tanks, and let’s not forget the wild cetaceans who may yet face violent capture from their family groups for the purpose of display for human entertainment. That’s what this bill is about and why it matters so much.
“We are all related. Not just you and I, but you and I and all life forms of creation”
“Given the scientific knowledge presented by experts about the biological characteristics and needs of cetaceans during the study of this bill, it is evident that it is cruel to keep cetaceans in captivity. We, I believe, do not want to be cruel. We should not allow others to be either.
“In my community, the Anishinaabe recognize that we are all related, not just you and I, but you and I and all life forms of creation. As living things, we are connected to each other. We depend upon one another. Everything we do has an effect on other life forms and on our world. That is why we use the term “nii-konasiitook,” all of my relations, when addressing each other.
“So bear in mind why we are here. We are here to take care of our nation, to take care of our land, to take care of the people and to take care of all that is part of this Creation.
“So n’gwamazin: Be strong and steadfast in your beliefs. Nii-konasiitook: Take care of all of our relations.”
Rest in peace.