| Previous | Next

Namaka Mennonite Reunion

by Henry and Erna Goerzen

On July 28-30, 2000 more than 160 folk gathered at Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, Alberta, to revisit 75 years of experience since the beginning of the Mennonite Settlement in the Namaka area. At that time Namaka was already on the map of Alberta as a place “where the trails meet,” a converging of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Blackfoot Indian Reserve.

Thirty-six young Mennonite families from Soviet Russia had arrived in those early years and, with the help of the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization, they were settled onto about 20 sections of land held by George Lane Co. and the Dominion Bank. The beginnings were indeed difficult as they lacked capital and adequate housing; hail and drought were prevalent, and the Great Depression was soon upon them. Not all of the settlers came with farming experience. These conditions caused many to move to other parts of Alberta and Canada, particularly Ontario. Today only about 12 families that descended from the original settlers remain. A comment from one who stayed in the area was: “We were brought to this country to develop and teach agriculture. That is why we came and that is why we stayed.” This calling has largely been carried out. The Mennonite farmers of Namaka have become successful and have been active in the development of agriculture in the community and beyond.

Those who moved on see their Namaka experience as having been the staging area for their departure to eventual locations and vocations. They have made their mark in the service industries, professions, in secular and religious schools and on the mission field. They, as well as the people who stayed, have left their forefathers’ isolationism and have integrated into the community and culture around them It is there that they serve and witness to their faith.

The reunion was a celebration of life at the Namaka settlement and in dispersion, and of God’s faithfulness from generation to generation. The initiator, Abe Quiring and his helpers, planned and worked tirelessly to make such an event possible. Art Wall from St. Catharines, Ont., led the group in singing of old and new favorites. A quartet and other musical contributions brought back memories with beautiful and timeless German songs.

There was a buzz of conversation as old friends and acquaintances met, some of whom hadn’t seen each other for 60 years, exclaiming in delight as they recognized each other. Some came to revisit the place where their families had once lived, and the bus tour of the area gave reality to what had only been hearsay before. The school sites, the church, the tree shaded picnic grounds by the backwater of the Bow River, gave rise to many happy memories, and the visit to the church cemetery was opportunity to remember and honor those who had once lived here and gave so much.

During the Sunday morning worship service, recognition was given to the five still living original settlers, now all over 90 years of age. The three who were present were Mrs. Mary Thiessen, Mrs. Margaret Willms and Mr. David Penner.

The closing challenge was given by John Wall, a local Namaka boy who became an educator in secular and Christian institutions of learning in North America, a missionary in South America and an administrator for mission work. His message, “Celebrating God’s Faithfulness from Generation to Generation”, based on Psalm 100, highlighted the gathering. He encouraged each listener to see his/her own life as part of God’s bigger picture, which includes the past and its heritage, the present, whether joyful or difficult, and to look to the future, as the forefathers did when they came to this land – rejoicing in God’s faithfulness through all generations.

A longer account of this event, as well as the text of John Wall’s message will be with the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta.

| Previous | Next

Last modified October 30, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Heritage Centre and the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies.
Masthead and usage information.