Media for social change

Egerton Ryerson – what do Ryerson students really know about who he is and what he stood for?
 
Ryerson advocated for progressive ideas when it came to educational environments, such as a separation from the church and a focus on science and the arts. But he also prepared a report on native education that suggested the federal government educate “Indians” in separate schools that focused on religion and manual labour. This report was used as a model to fund the controversial residential school system, which had devastating consequences on the Native population.
 
We talked to students on campus to find out: how much is known about the man whose name is written across our shirts and on our diplomas,  shed light on his achievements and the darker parts of his legacy, and get their take on whether or not Ryerson University should keep its name.