Who We Are
Four Questions For a Life and a Nation
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Narrated by:
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Murray Sinclair
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Niigaan Sinclair
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Shelagh Rogers
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Written by:
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Murray Sinclair
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Sara Sinclair
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Niigaan Sinclair
About this listen
Named a Book to Read This Fall by CBC Books and the Toronto Star • One of Indigo’s Most Anticipated Books
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 listeners 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).
©2024 Murray Sinclair (P)2024 McClelland & StewartYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
Named a Book to Read This Fall by CBC Books and the Toronto Star • One of Indigo’s Most Anticipated Books
“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.”
—Shelagh Rogers, O.C., Chancellor of Queen’s University and Honorary Witness in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
“It would be impossible to quantify Murray Sinclair’s impact on this place that we call Canada. He’s said that since education got us into this mess, education must get us out of it. If that’s true, and I believe it is, he is one of our most important teachers. The pursuit of reconciliation takes place on a long and winding road. It will take generations to reach our destination, but this book and Sinclair’s voice will stand the test of time, guiding us in his wisdom and the example he has set in how he has lived his life.”
—David A. Robertson, bestselling author of the Misewa Saga Series
“This book is a testament to, and reflects the legacy of, a life of service, leadership, and resilience. There are lessons we can all take from these reflections on a life’s journey, and on the journey of Canada.”
—Jody Wilson-Raybould, bestselling author of True Reconciliation and ‘Indian’ in the Cabinet
What listeners say about Who We Are
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 2024-11-09
This is a must Read for Every One!
This wonderful book by Honourable Murray Sinclair teaches us what it means to be a Indigenous Child in Canada subjected to the racist genocidal policies of the Colonial Empire administered by the Canadian State.
Profoundly sensitive insightful history of a remarkable Leader, teacher, communicator and the careful listener to the experiences of a brutalized people, His people. Anishinabe.
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- lucy
- 2024-12-04
Thank you
Thank you for your knowledge. This was very educational and mind blowing. I am a survivor of survivors .
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- vj
- 2024-11-04
Hidden gem
The book is a humble, straightforward account of Murray’s life and service - an understatement of his far-reaching contributions (past, present and future) to Canada.
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- Matt
- 2024-11-28
Every Canadian must read this!
So much to be learnt from this book. If you call yourself Canadian in any way you must read this book. This book will help change our history.
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