It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the recent passing of the esteemed Justice Murray Sinclair on Monday, November 4th. His contributions were not only significant to the Province but resonated across the entire Country. His influence and support became particularly palpable in Thompson just a year ago, where a dedicated effort was made to enhance the educational experiences of students at Deerwood School. This culminated in making a much-anticipated and enriching educational trip to Winnipeg a reality for the students.
Reflecting back to over a year ago, the eighth-grade class at Deerwood School endured a particularly challenging and tumultuous school year during the 2022-2023 academic season. The students, who have since moved up to grade 10, faced numerous obstacles that made their learning journey far from smooth. The departure of familiar educators and the sudden resignations of several eighth-grade teachers significantly disrupted their educational environment, leading to feelings of instability and uncertainty among the students.
Deerwood School made earnest attempts to recruit replacements, but the lack of stability and the frequent changes in teaching personnel left the students feeling bewildered and adrift in their educational pursuits.
Sarah Schroeder; a teacher who had previously taught a Grade 7 class at the same institution, shared her perspective on the students' struggles as she was able to step up to the plate later that year. “This is when the administration at Deerwood School called and asked me to come back to complete the school year for a 3-month term in April 2023. I agreed, and it broke my heart to see my students regress this far after 7 months! I wanted to build their spirits for their last school year at Deerwood, so I told them that if they worked hard, I would take them on a Winnipeg field trip for Indigenous studies.”
One student, Pierce Brown, candidly conveyed the impact this disruption had on their learning experience, stating, “Our whole school year kinda sucked. It was not a good school year, we had a lot of different teachers, like I feel like it affected my learning that year because there was not enough teachers. But given some stability at the end with Mrs. Schroeder, she gave us something to look forward to at the end of the year.” His reflection encapsulates the challenges encountered by the class during that difficult period.
According to Schroeder, her return was met with relief, as another student, Heizal Dhawan, described, “It was easy to transition after Mrs. Schroeder came in because we knew her and we were able to get back into a routine pretty quickly. And it was nice to have a teacher who knew what she was teaching.” This stability was crucial for the students, providing them with a much-needed anchor as they navigated the remainder of their school year.
Recognizing the dire need for her students to feel uplifted and motivated, Schroeder began planning a field trip to Winnipeg in celebration of National Indigenous People’s Day, envisioning it as a pivotal experience for the students’ education. This ambitious pursuit required substantial financial support, and she immediately reached out to the school board, seeking approval for the trip that would require funding upwards of $17,000.
Multiple administrative leaders felt there was not enough time in the school year to fundraise enough money for a trip to Winnipeg with 3 months left in the school year. Undeterred, Schroeder took it upon herself to write multiple letters to organizations across the province, passionately advocating for her students and detailing their remarkable accomplishments from their previous year in Grade 7. She highlighted their initiatives, including leading an MMIWG awareness walk, airing radio messages on CHTM Arctic Radio, and speaking with Marcy Markusa on CBC about the importance of raising awareness concerning MMIWG.
“I was trying to make it fun for them,” said Schroeder, articulating her commitment to rejuvenate her students’ spirits through engaging opportunities.
Determined to secure the funding necessary for the trip, Schroeder also reached out to Justice Murray Sinclair. Fortuitously, the very next morning, he promptly returned her call. Justice Sinclair, a champion for education, offered to personally contribute by providing the first $5,000 towards the trip if the students could fundraise the remainder. His commitment echoed his well-known belief in education as he has famously coined the phrase; “Education is what got us here and education will get us out,” demonstrating his unyielding dedication to the education of young people.
Once the community learned of Justice Sinclair's involvement, a wave of support sprang up throughout the region. Organizations such as MKO, the Thompson Community Fund, and NRHA began contributing resources, inspired by Justice Sinclair’s initial backing. “Without him, we wouldn’t have ever been able to pull it off,” Schroeder expressed, emphasizing the pivotal role he played in making the trip a reality.
The remaining funds were raised through various creative efforts, including bake sales, car washes, and movie nights, which actively involved the students in the fundraising process. Their collaborative spirit not only raised the necessary funds but also instilled a sense of ownership in them regarding the trip they had worked so hard to achieve.
Ultimately, the eighth-grade class, comprising 28 eager students, embarked on a transformative three-day journey to Winnipeg in June, coinciding with National Indigenous People’s Day. This trip offered them unparalleled opportunities to visit significant sites such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, St. Boniface Museum, and the Manitoba Legislature Building. They participated in National Indigenous Peoples Day activities, where they had the privilege to meet Wab Kinew before he became Premier, and engaged in educational programming at The University of Manitoba's National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Reflecting on the incredible experience, Pierce Brown stated, “There was a lot of stuff there, and I think it was a good trip because you were constantly moving and seeing different stuff. I feel like I learned a lot more there than I would have from a single museum.”
Student Charley Slaney echoed similar feelings, saying, “I liked seeing everything! I liked the visual aspect because I learn easier with visuals, so getting to see everything made it easier for me.” This highlights the profound nature of experiential learning that the trip provided.
Levi Zimmer added, “The trip definitely boosted the morale of the class. It gave the year a high note because it went from a horrible year to a year to remember. We got to learn things and spend time with our classmates.”
“I’m grateful to Justice Murray Sinclair because without him other people wouldn’t have even donated! We did try and do a lot to raise money, but it was mostly him who made it possible. He gave us a lot of motivation to do well for the rest of the school year” continued Brown.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard he passed. My Mom saw it right away and sent me a photo and basically sent it to me straight away. I thought about it a lot and the impact that trip was and how he was apart of it” said student; Emma-Lee Friesen
“He turned a situation that was really bad into something beautiful at the end!” Stated Slaney
“He saved my school year, after so many ups and downs, and so many different teachers the school year, had been incredibly stressful. After knowing we’d be able to go on a trip because of the Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair, the year really just blossomed for me” continued, Dhawan
“My students and I will never forget Justice Sinclair's generosity and kindness. He will never truly know the impact he had on my students. A student in the class had never travelled to Winnipeg before and had his first croissant at the hotel. He exclaimed that he never knew palaces existed in Manitoba and croissants were the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. He was given a box of croissants at his Grade 8 promotion. The palaces he referred to were the Manitoba Legislature Building and the museums. There were students inspired to work hard in school and attend the University of Manitoba after seeing its campus. There were students who now advocate for Indigenous rights and want to learn more as to how they can be allies and work toward reconciliation. Field trips inspire students and show them there is a beautiful world out there at their fingertips. Justice Sinclair helped make that reality happen for these students and inspired some future leaders in Thompson.” Concluded Schroeder
Justice Murray Sinclair's legacy will undoubtedly live on through the lives he touched and the initiatives he championed, particularly in education. His generous support for the students of Deerwood School not only provided them with an opportunity to experience an enriching field trip to Winnipeg but also instilled a renewed sense of hope and motivation among them. The collaboration between the community and advocates for education, like Justice Sinclair, underscores the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have in fostering resilience and growth in the face of adversity. As the students reflect on their journey, they carry forward the lessons learned, embodying the spirit of perseverance that Justice Sinclair so passionately believed in.
