Hamilton public schools will no longer be named after notable figures

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) says it will no longer name schools after notable people.

The decision was made on Monday at a board meeting which comes after Ryerson Elementary School’s name was changed following the discovery of unmarked residential school graves in Canada.

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The vote saw 9 of 11 trustees and two student trustees vote in favour of the decision to no longer name schools after people. The draft policy was first suggested in May 2022.

After Monday’s approval, all schools currently named after a person will be reviewed to ensure they reflect the board’s mission, vision, and values. The blueprint was founded after Ryerson Elementary School was renamed Kanétskare Elementary School in 2021. The school was originally named for Edgerton Ryerson, an architect of the residential school system.

Maria Felix Miller, HWDSB Ward 3 trustee, and vice-chair says, “We recognized the harm that comes along with having a historical figure who has a problematic legacy, associated with one of our school names.” The board says it will now consider Indigenous history when naming schools.

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The two trustees who were not in favour of the policy cited concerns about potentially limiting naming opportunities and ignoring community input.

The school board says it will continue to work with the community when it comes to naming schools in the future and will do so when considering schools that currently hold an individual’s name.