Erma Ferrell

Erma Ferrell was born to parents Bessie & Ward S. LaForme, on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Out of seven children born to Ward and Bessie LaForme, there are three of us remaining. I have one older Sister and one younger Sister.

Erma is the Mother of 2 Children, daughter Tammy and Son Mark. Erma Ferrell has five Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren.

In the early 1970’s Erma moved out of the First Nation for about twenty years and returned in the early 1990’s and along with her husband they built a new home, on land granted to her by her parents.

In 1995 Erma was employed by the MCFN as an Assistant to the Director of Education. After serving 16 years in the MCFN Education Department, she was encouraged to let her name stand to become a Member of the MCFN Council.

In December 2011, Erma was elected to the MCFN Council, and she is now serving her 14th consecutive year on the MCFN Council.

Councillor Ferrell’s responsibility is to assist in sharing the History of the MCFN via Culture Awareness, Communication and Outreach.

“In furtherance of our people’s inherent and inalienable right of self-determination it is essential that our government strengthen our capacity to heighten cultural awareness and enhance our communications and outreach.”

Erma Ferrell will be speaking at the MuseumNext Forecast Summit :

Indigenous Innovations in Collections and Curatorial practices

So we have identified potentially sensitive items in our collection, now what? So we have identified potentially sensitive items in our collection, now what? Join Tara Chadwick in conversation with Erma Ferrell, Heather George, Jacob Jamieson and Lee An Muntz about emerging innovations, policies and practices related to ethical collections management, acquisition, storage and use.

Across the world, our collective sensibilities are turning toward repairing and rectifying harm that has come to communities through the act of collecting, storing and transferring ownership of community held knowledge. Museums, governments, and scientific institutions are beginning to acknowledge and address these legacies while co-creating alternative processes.

The outcomes of these efforts are iterations of living documents that must have room for continual feedback, flexibility and adaptability.

Across the world, our collective sensibilities are turning toward repairing and rectifying harm that has come to communities through the act of collecting, storing and transferring ownership of community held knowledge. Museums, governments, and scientific institutions are beginning to acknowledge and address these legacies while co-creating alternative processes.

The outcomes of these efforts are iterations of living documents that must have room for continual feedback, flexibility and adaptability.