A message from President Lachemi on task force update

When we launched our series of key initiatives toward reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people, we knew that it did not represent a beginning or end point, but a step in what will be a long journey.

The heartbreaking news this week from Kamloops has shocked Canadians and our community. I share the profound grief and sorrow felt by our students, faculty, staff and alumni at these revelations, and extend support to Indigenous communities at the university.

An important part of our university’s reconciliation involves the legacy of our namesake Egerton Ryerson and the establishment of residential schools. In November, the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force was established with a clear mandate to examine the facts of that legacy, to consult widely and openly, and to develop principles and recommendations that our university can take to respond to that legacy. When I appointed the task force, I made clear that everything was up for consideration and they were not to be limited in their scope. I reiterate that commitment today.

The recent update from the task force, under the leadership of co-chairs Joanne Dallaire, Elder (Ke Shay Hayo) and senior advisor Indigenous relations and reconciliation, and Catherine Ellis, chair and associate professor in the Department of History and a faculty elected member of the Board of Governors, shares the extensive consultative work they are doing and their research that is underway. More importantly, it reminds us that the task force is diligently and thoughtfully proceeding to meet its extensive mandate, and they are committed to taking the time necessary to review and reflect on all that has been shared. 

The university fully respects the independence of the task force and remains committed to letting them complete their important work. They are on schedule to deliver a final report and recommendations before the fall semester. I am deeply grateful to the members of the task force for their ongoing work and to members of our community who have provided input to the task force whether through surveys, reports, or in-person presentations. 

I also want to acknowledge everyone who has reached out to the university over the past week, be it in sorrow, frustration or hope. I have read all of your letters and share many of your feelings and concerns. 

To all of our community members, I want to reconfirm that we are moving forward to address these matters. Our university’s resources and expertise in education, research, scholarship and community engagement will be put to work on the long-term challenge of reconciliation – it is one more step in what will be a long journey together.

Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor