Ryerson University Celebrates Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
TORONTO, January 26, 2018 --- This afternoon, the Ryerson University community came together to celebrate the university wide consultation and summary report on the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The report, entitled (PDF file) Truth and Reconciliation at Ryerson: Building a Foundation for Generations to Come, highlights the challenges the university faces, identifies opportunities for change, and includes next steps and recommendations to create Ryerson’s own pathway to reconciliation.
Led by Denise O’Neil Green, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion and Ryerson University Elder Joanne Dallaire, the two year-long, community-wide consultation included group and panel discussions, talking circles, formal keynote addresses and class assignments. Ryerson’s Indigenous community played a prominent role in the consultation report.
“Ryerson has reached an important milestone and I’m very grateful to our students and their willingness to participate, share their feelings, suggestions and experiences,” said O’Neil Green, “I want to thank our Elder Joanne Dallaire for her guidance and stability along the way.”
Truth and Reconciliation at Ryerson: Building a Foundation for Generations to Come was received by Ryerson President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi and Provost and Vice-President Academic, Michael Benarroch at a celebration that included traditional Indigenous ceremonies. The university also unveiled a plaque to accompany the Egerton Ryerson statue on campus, as a reminder of our commitment to truth and reconciliation at Ryerson and in recognition of the university’s namesake’s connection to the residential school system.
As outlined in the community consultation report, there is growing awareness for the need to demonstrate respect and understanding of the land the university sits on, and to recognize the cultural knowledge and ways of knowing brought by Indigenous students, staff and faculty. Ryerson University is proud to celebrate this step towards reconciliation as we continue to build on our existing efforts of outreach, recruitment, retention, support and access, led by the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, the Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services and Ryerson’s Aboriginal Education Council.
Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 44,600 students, including 2,600 master’s and PhD students, 3,100 faculty and staff, and nearly 185,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ryerson.ca
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Johanna VanderMaas
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
416.979.5000 x 4630
johanna.vandermaas@ryerson.ca