The extent of the University of Toronto’s historical connections to residential schools are currently unclear, though some individual and institutional associations have been identified. Several residential schools were founded by U of T alumni and, while some professors criticized the residential school system at the time, it is known that others advocated racist ideas that supported the system’s assimilationist principles. Through collaboration with several missionary organizations, Emmanuel College, Wycliffe College, Trinity College, Victoria College, and Knox College were variously involved with the training and recruitment of Christian missionaries sent to work at residential schools.

The article below provides a preliminary overview of the University of Toronto’s known connections with residential schools, including histories of various missionary groups connected with the University. 

Dyer, Monica. “The University of Toronto and Aboriginal Residential Schools: A Silent Partner.” [International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation?], 2009. https://icdr.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Heidi-Bohaker-The-University-of-Toronto-and-Aboriginal-Residential-Schools-A-Silent-Partner-4MB.pdf.

The following article discusses University College alumni who went on to found and manage residential schools.

Marshall, John. “University College and Residential Schools.” University College Alumni Magazine, Spring 2017. https://www.uc.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/2021-03/UC-Magazine-Spring2017-Web.pdf.