The name "Ryerson" is being removed from a public school in Old North.
Thames Valley District school board trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to rename the Waterloo Street school and launch a sweeping review of all building and facility names for connections to residential schools or other racial injustices.
The full review comes after parents at Ryerson public school asked for the name to be changed as its namesake, Egerton Ryerson, is considered to be one of the architects of the residential school system. The parents went to the school council on the matter following the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C.
Trustee Corrine Rahman put forward the motion for the name's immediate removal.
"I personally believe that as society changes, as we learn to better understand impact we must also be prepared to change our institutions in order to ensure they are safe and welcoming places for all of our students," said Rahman.
Community consultation will be done before a new name is selected for Ryerson public school.
Trustee Sean Hunt called for the review of all school and facility names to ensure they reflect the board's commitment to promoting human rights, equity and inclusive learning environments for all students.
Included in the review are all schools and facilities such as gyms, outdoor learning spaces, and libraries that have been named in honour of an individual.
"There are very few challenges or problems in the board that are solved through the maintenance of status quo. We have heard about the impacts and real trauma that schools named after individuals which have contributed to the establishment of the residential school system in Canada is problematic,” said Hunt. "This is not an action of reconciliation, but it is an action that leads to further establishing the truth."
The board-wide review of school and facility names is to be completed by May 2022.
