Collection MSS 486 (A2016-011) - Lynn Moss Sharman Fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

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Lynn Moss Sharman Fonds

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  • Textual record
  • Graphic material

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CA UMASC MSS 486 (A2016-011)

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Physical description

1.04 m of textual records and other material including 122 photographs and 22 negatives

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Archival description area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Lynne Moss Sharman was an activist, survivor of child and domestic abuse, a supporter of trauma victims and indigenous rights, and an artist. She was born on April 4, 1947 and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. After leaving an abusive relationship, and following the birth of her daughter, Sharman opened a photographic gallery at the Wesley Community Centre in Hamilton. Through this work, she helped create the Native Indian/Inuit Photographers Association. Moving to Thunder Bay in 1987, Sharman began working at the Definitely Superior Gallery. She also began attending Aboriginal healing circles in the community, leading her to recollect past memories of childhood abuse and trauma. Delving deeper into these memories, Sharman remembered undergoing Cold War medical experiments as a child and began documenting her trauma through drawings. Her sketches of doctors, as well as the experiments conducted and tools employed would later be substantiated by claims made by other survivors of similar trauma. Sharman later pursued and completed an Honour’s degree in Social Work from Lakehead University in order to assist children and become an advocate for trauma victims. She passed away on March 14, 2014 in Thunder Bay.

Custodial history

The collection was donated in 2016 to the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by Zena Sharman, Lynne Moss Sharman’s daughter.

Scope and content

The fonds consists of newspaper clippings, photographs, posters, research material, correspondence, journal entries, and negatives. Records include collections of articles and information related to missing and murdered persons in the Thunder Bay area, as well as in Northwestern Ontario and throughout Canada. Sharman also compiled clippings related to sex work, the Highway of Tears, the Robert Pickton trial, jail deaths, residential schools, child abuse, Tyrone Conn, foster care and adoption. Most of the material pertains to the Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario region but some of Sharman’s research also covers areas across Canada. The fonds further includes planning records and documentation related to walks held for missing and murdered women, records related to the Advocacy Committee for Human Experiment Survivors – Mind Control, research and workshop material, lists of missing and murdered persons, jail deaths, and assaults, and records related to organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society and the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

Notes area

Physical condition

The records are generally in good condition.

Immediate source of acquisition

Zena Sharman

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into nine series based on the original order as established by Lynne Moss Sharman.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

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Restrictions on access

Some folders containing information and personal histories pertaining to clients Sharman saw in her capacity as a social worker are restricted. Certain legal documents are also restricted.

Box 1, Files 1-5 are restricted.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

There may be restrictions on use.

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Associated materials

Duplicates were culled from this fonds.

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No further accruals are expected.

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Created by Natalie Vielfaure on May 19, 2016.
Edited by Elizabeth-Anne Johnson on 29 July 2016.

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