Event Description
Leaving Canada Speaker Series
The spring of 1922, one hundred years ago, marked the beginning of a mass migration of nearly 8,000 Mennonites from Canada to Mexico and Paraguay. By leaving Canada and starting over in Latin America they sought to avoid assimilation and preserve their autonomy as an ethnoreligious community.
From June to November, with support from the Plett Foundation, Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies and Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) are showing “Leaving Canada: The Mennonite Migration to Mexico,” a special exhibit that explores this momentous event, in its various dimensions, featuring artefacts, historical photographs from public archives and private collections, and original interpretative content.
The second event in our “Leaving Canada” speaker series features Kevin Dyck, director of the Museo y Centro Cultural Menonita in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico. In his presentation, Kevin will describe the challenges experienced by Mennonites one hundred years ago as they attempted to transplant their agricultural communities onto the semi-arid landscape of northern Mexico, where they had to adjust not only to an unfamiliar physical environment, but also to new neighbours and a new political situation. Focusing especially on Manitoba Colony, Kevin will describe the continuities and changes of Mennonite life in Mexico over the past century.
This speaker series is being held in conjunction with Mennonite Heritage Village’s special exhibit “Leaving Canada: The Mennonite Migration to Mexico,” which runs from June to November. The series is supported by the Plett Foundation, and co-hosted by CTMS and Mennonite Heritage Village.
Location of the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum event
Venue Information - Mennonite Heritage Village Museum
Explore a turn-of-the century Russian Mennonite street village on our 40 acre site. Taste traditional ethnic fare at the museum’s Livery Barn Restaurant, and explore a classic Mennonite housebarn and a fully operational Dutch windmill during our summer season. View historic and heirloom treasures from Poland and Russia to Canada, displayed in the Main and Gerhard Ens galleries, and find that perfect souvenir at Village Books & Gifts, all open year-round in the Village Centre.
There is always something new to experience. The changing annual themes and temporary exhibits, along with new artifacts donated each year, celebrate the Mennonite heritage and culture. We also offer a broad range of activities and demonstrations, from wagon rides to bread baking, throughout the summer on our Festival days. All of these features combine in this bustling village to offer a fresh experience with each visit.
