Murray Sinclair, Policy-Maker of the Year: The path to reconciliation – MLI

Dec. 15, 2015

At the end of a long emotionally candid conversation, Justice Murray Sinclair asks reflectively, “And you know what it will take for reconciliation?”

It’s not a rhetorical question and he awaits an answer.

“Well, it’s acceptance, it’s forgiveness I guess … it’s …” and I stumble into silence, knowing I have not passed his test.

“No, that comes later. First it is acknowledgement that our spirituality – Aboriginal spirituality – is the equal of yours. Without that it’s just a campaign for slow assimilation.” It’s a stark and surprising answer from this most gentle but powerful of voices.