This weekend, the village of Chortitz is throwing a celebration honouring the 150 years since Mennonite settlers first established the community.
Residents past and present are coming together to remember, reconnect, and look ahead.
Looking back on the 150 years of history and the people who built Chortitz from the ground up is at the centre of the weekend, though that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for fireworks and waffles.
Kathy Bueckert, a resident of Chortitz, joined with Jason Janzen, member of the village board and part of the Chortitz 150 planning committee, to share what can be expected during the celebration, and reminisce on the village’s past.
“Just thinking back to the people who came before us and what they sacrificed to come here and settle and make a life… we’re celebrating that,” said Bueckert.
A village born out of a promise
The story of Chortitz begins in 1875, when Mennonites fleeing Russia settled in Manitoba’s West Reserve. Pressures to assimilate, including forced military service and loss of language, had made it clear to many that they needed a new home.
Janzen shared that, “There was this push to become more Russian, and so that’s kind of one of the things that made the Mennonites scared of their way of life.”
Canada offered a lifeline: free land through the Homesteaders Act, and crucially, guarantees around religious freedom and education.
Chortitz was one of the first villages they built — laid out in true traditional fashion, with shared land and a school at its centre.
Holding the line on language and faith
Janzen also recounted one of the tales of Chortitz’s past, during the years after World War I. The province began pushing for English-only schools and government-approved curriculum, but the people of Chortitz resisted.
And not quietly.
“It was going to be an English-speaking school, it was going to follow the Manitoba provincial curriculum,” he said, “The first year it opened was in 1920... and it was recorded that no students were there for the first six months.”
The standoff lasted years, and the government eventually issued fines and even short jail sentences to force compliance. Janzen pointed out that, ironically, the very school once at the heart of that struggle is now a private school again and operated by the Chortitz community.
The entertainment
While the past takes centre stage, the weekend is also packed with music and fun.
“We have fireworks Saturday night, so that's kind of exciting. We just got our permit last week, so we're good to go,” said Janzen.
Live entertainment will run throughout the weekend, featuring Joe Wilson Band and Ed Wayne & the Outlaws. Saturday also includes a car show, kids' activities, pony rides, and food vendors on site.
Sunday morning wraps up the weekend with coffee and donuts, and a community worship service.
Related stories:
- ‘If we’re not going to tell our story, who is?’ what Manitoba looked like 150 years ago
- 'It’s in my blood': Reinland and Rosengart celebrate 150 years with a homecoming
“Remember when we..."
The “Chortitz Stories” storytelling session, scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Valley Mennonite Academy, is something that both Janzen and Bueckert are looking forward to.
People who grew up in the village, many now living in other provinces, are expected to return and share memories. Bueckert shared that’s where the real history will be happening.
“We’re kind of running a group setting. We'll all be on stage answering some questions. I’ll facilitate question and answer time.”
Proceeds from the event will help refurbish Chortitz’s much-loved outdoor ice rink, which Janzen says sees plenty of use and could use the update.
“If there's any night where it's remotely like decent to be outside, there's always kids there. The lights are on, you hear kids, you hear skates, you hear pucks.”
The celebration runs Friday through Sunday at Valley Mennonite Academy. Find the schedule on the Chortitz 150 socials.