Former senator and judge Murray Sinclair is in hospital in the ICU after seeing a significant decline in his health.
His children took to social media on Friday to share an update on his health.
"As you may have heard, our dad Murray Sinclair/ The Honorable Murray Sinclair has been in hospital for a few months now. As of a week ago, his health has taken a turn and he remains in serious and unstable condition in the ICU in Winnipeg," said his children.
For the past week, his children and grandchildren have gathered to be with him and remain by his side 24 hours a day.
"He is occasionally awake and able to communicate with us right now," said the family. "The doctors and medical staff are doing everything to support him as much as they can."
However, his family says he does have a challenging road ahead of him.
"We know the power of collective prayer and community support as well, so wanted to share this update in the spirit of our shared love for him."
Sinclair's family says they will post further updates as they can.
Sinclair was appointed to the Senate of Canada on April 2, 2016. In November 2020, he announced his retirement from the Senate effective Jan. 31, 2021.
Murray was also the first Indigenous judge appointed in the province, serving from 1988 to 2009.