A school in Selkirk, Manitoba, has undergone a name change to honor the memory of the late Murray Sinclair. Formerly known as École Selkirk Junior High, the school has now been officially renamed École Murray Sinclair Middle School following a special event held recently.
The decision to rename the school was approved by the Lord Selkirk School Division for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, as a tribute to Sinclair, an Anishinaabe lawyer, judge, and senator who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. According to Niigaan Sinclair, Murray Sinclair’s son, this gesture would have deeply touched his father as Selkirk held significant meaning for him, shaping many of the foundational principles that guided his career.
Sinclair passed away in 2024, and the renaming ceremony, infused with traditional drumming and hoop dancing, brought together the school and local community to commemorate his life and impactful legacy. The announcement of the school’s new name was met with enthusiastic applause in a bustling gymnasium.
Students Adrianna Keeler and Brooklyn Christie from the 8th grade expressed their admiration for the decision to name the school after Sinclair, emphasizing his inspirational character. The Sinclair family also revealed the establishment of a new student award, funded through the Murray Sinclair Memorial Fund, to support student education and well-being through music and sports programs.
Dené Sinclair, Sinclair’s daughter, highlighted their father’s values of kindness and self-discovery, underscoring the award’s goal to encourage young individuals to set new goals and explore their identities. Sinclair’s deep connection to Selkirk, where he was born near the city in 1951, was recounted by Principal Daryl Loeppky, who shared Sinclair’s achievements as a student and athlete at the school.
The school division aimed to honor not only Sinclair’s remarkable career but also his lasting impact on education, reconciliation, and social equity. The community was involved in suggesting the new name, with Sinclair’s name being proposed multiple times, reflecting the profound respect and gratitude felt towards him.
This renaming marks the second school in Manitoba named after Sinclair, following the rechristening of a French immersion school in Winnipeg’s Sage Creek neighborhood as École Mazina-Giizhik in April. Mazina-Giizhik translates to “the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky” in Anishinaabemowin.
Niigaan Sinclair recalled how Murray Sinclair preferred to focus on others rather than himself, cherishing community connections and stories. The renaming of a city park in Selkirk in his honor in 2017 was another significant tribute that deeply resonated with him.
The community’s gratitude towards the Sinclair family for allowing the school to carry on his legacy in this manner was evident, with the school administration expressing deep appreciation for this opportunity to honor such a distinguished figure.
