As We Grow Old — A poem by Murray Sinclair

From  Who We Are: Four Questions For a Life and a Nation
by Murray Sinclair , Sara Sinclair, Niigaan Sinclair
Learn about this very special book here

As we grow old
the ground we walk on
rises up
so that,
as each of those few moments
left to us
pass by
and we grow old
and hair turns greyer still
we move a bit more slowly.

At such a speed,
we can see around us
more of life today
and feel we understand
the present
more,
for we have lived
amongst the weeds
and trees,
from which it came.

And we have much we want
and need
to say.

I look forward to reading this book along with friends in the Summerland Reconciliation Learning Circle starting in January. Till then, here are some bookseller’s notes.

Named a Book to Read This Fall by CBC Books and the Toronto Star o One of Indigo’s Most Anticipated Books and Top 100 Books of the 2024 o An Audible Best Book of 2024 o One of Kobo CA’s Best Biography and Memoir eBooks of the Year o One of CBC’s Best Canadian Nonfiction of 2024

Judge, senator, and activist. Father, grandfather, and friend. This is Murray Sinclair’s story–and the story of a nation–in his own words, an oral history that forgoes the trappings of the traditionally written memoir to center Indigenous ways of knowledge and storytelling. As Canada moves forward into the future of Reconciliation, one of its greatest leaders guides us to ask the most important and difficult question we can ask of ourselves: Who are we?

For decades, Senator Sinclair has fearlessly educated Canadians about the painful truths of our history. He was the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba, and only the second Indigenous judge in Canadian history. He was the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and remains one of the foremost voices on Reconciliation. And now, for the first time, he shares his full story–and his full vision for our nation–with readers across Canada and beyond.

Drawing on Senator Sinclair’s perspectives regarding Indigenous identity, human rights, and justice, Who We Are examines the roles of history, resistance, and resilience in the pursuit of finding a path forward, one that heals the damaged relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. In doing so, it reveals Senator Sinclair’s life in a new and direct way, exploring how all of these unique experiences have shaped him as an Anishinaabe man, father, and grandfather. 

Structured around the four questions that have long shaped Senator Sinclair’s thinking and worldview–Where do I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? Who am I?–Who We Are takes readers into the story of his remarkable life as never before, while challenging them to embrace an inclusive vision for our shared future.

The book includes the What We Have Learned report, created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).

Here is an endorsement from Shelagh Rogers, O.C., Chancellor of Queen’s University and Honorary Witness in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Who We Are is a very special, very important book. With deep humility, surprising humour, and abiding humanity–all the ‘humes,’ if you will–Murray Sinclair made me feel as though I was sitting beside him at a campfire, listening to stories and teachings from his most remarkable life. I could hear his voice. I could feel the fire. I could imagine a better world. But Murray Sinclair asks us to do more than imagine it. By sharing with unflinching honesty what shaped him as a visionary leader, he calls us to change the world, to make it better for each new generation, and to honour the sacredness of Creation. I will return to Who We Are again and again, for his stories, his soulful poems, and his guidance. This book, so much about understanding where we have come from, is a gift to where we are going.

Thanks to Dianne Murphy for the nudge.