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Before the university is established, the statue of Egerton Ryerson is erected on what was the site of the provincial Education Department in recognition of his contributions to the development of public education.
Ryerson Institute of Technology is founded. The name “Ryerson” is chosen as it is well known and creates instant credibility for the brand new institution.
Photograph Courtesy of Ryerson Library/University Archives
The school adopts a ram as the mascot and names it Eggy, after Egerton Ryerson.
The Report of the Taskforce on Anti-Racism at Ryerson recommends that the university's Aboriginal Education Council investigate the role played by Egerton Ryerson in the design of the Indian Residential School System and recommend actions regarding its implications for the university.
The Aboriginal Education Council at the university. Photograph by Clifton Li
In keeping with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Anti-Racism, a statement on Egerton Ryerson, the Residential School System and Truth and Reconciliation is posted to the university website. It was co-developed by the Aboriginal Education Council, which held a healing ceremony acknowledging the role of Egerton Ryerson in residential school structure and curriculum.
Students, faculty, staff and community activists research and raise awareness about the ongoing trauma and pain caused by the commemoration of colonial figures, including Egerton Ryerson. Many contact the university, write letters and develop petitions about the statue and the university's name.
Social Justice Week hosts an event “Re-Imagining Ryerson’s Equity Agenda,” during which students, faculty and staff discuss equity issues, including potentially renaming the university.
The university begins developing a plaque to contextualize the statue of Egerton Ryerson.
The university releases the Truth and Reconciliation at Ryerson University report and unveils a plaque to be installed next to the statue to acknowledge Egerton Ryerson’s connection to the development of the residential school system.
The plaque is installed next to the statue.
Photograph by Red Works Photography
In the wake of renewed calls for the removal of names, statues and other forms of commemoration tied to figures from Canada’s colonial history, including those with a connection to the residential school system, protesters splash paint on the statue of Egerton Ryerson, along with two other statues in Toronto. A banner placed around the base of the statue reads: “Tear down monuments that represent slavery, colonialism and violence.”
University president Mohamed Lachemi announces a task force to recommend actions about the statue and other elements of Egerton Ryerson’s legacy.
The statue of Egerton Ryerson, circa 1900, in front of what was then Toronto Normal School on Gould Street. Photograph by Wikimedia Commons
A broad consultation process about Egerton Ryerson is launched by the presidential task force, now named the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force.
A group of Indigenous students at the university issues an open letter inviting community members to stand in solidarity by replacing “Ryerson” with an “X” to “remove Ryerson’s name and this symbol of cultural genocide and intergenerational trauma.”
Following the confirmation of unmarked graves of Indigenous children on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, a memorial is established at the base of the statue of Egerton Ryerson. Hundreds of pairs of children’s shoes and culturally significant items are left to honour the children.
More than 1,000 people join the Bring Our Children Home march to honour the the children, walking from Queen’s Park to Gould Street to gather for a peaceful demonstration. Following the conclusion of the event, a small group of people pull down the statue of Egerton Ryerson.
The Bring Our Children Home march in June 2021. Photograph by Laura Proctor
The university releases a statement by President Lachemi that the statue will not be restored or replaced and the work of the task force will continue.
The Standing Strong Task Force delivers its report, outlining ways the university can address the legacy of Egerton Ryerson, noting his connections to colonialism and racially segregated and separate schooling.
The university’s Board of Governors accepts all 22 of the task force's recommendations, including the renaming of the university.
President Lachemi announces the creation of an advisory committee on renaming the university, with a decision expected by the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
The University Renaming Advisory Committee begins engagement with students, faculty, staff and alumni to inform the selection of a new name.
*This is a simplified timeline
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