On May 12th, Manitoba Day 2022, a small crowd gathered south of Niverville to dedicate the Shantz Immigration Sheds Cairn, at the intersection of Hespler Road (39N) and Shantz Road (19E) two miles south of Hwy 311.
The EastMenn Historical Committee had originally intended to have the ceremony take place on May 12, 2020 on Manitoba’s 150th birthday, however, due to pandemic restrictions, the unveiling of the Cairn was postponed.
The Cairn commemorates the 4 immigration sheds which were erected in 1874 just days before the first Mennonite settlers arrived in Manitoba. The sheds served as temporary housing while the new immigrants could settle the lands and build villages set aside for them in the East Reserve.
The construction of the sheds was managed by Jacob Y. Shantz, of Ontario.
Addressing the crowd in attendance, Mennonite Historian Ernie Braun asks the question. “What mean these stones?” and continues to give a lesson in the history of the area “as if our grandchildren were standing here, wondering.”
“Mennonite’s arrived in the southeast in the mid-1870s from Ukraine, coincidentally during that same time, the new province of Manitoba created in 1870 desperately needed settlers to help establish Ottawa’s claim to the new territory, to ward off American expansionism. As a result, 7,000 Mennonites immigrated to southern Manitoba, half of them to the southeast.”
Braun continues, “This stone, this Cairn is a reminder of that arrival, but is also a way of honouring a man who made it possible. Jacob Y. Shantz, a middle-aged businessman, came to Manitoba on an exploratory trip and reported back to Ottawa saying that the southeast was a good place for the Mennonites to live.”
“Then in 1873, when it became clear that the settlers would arrive in 1874, Shantz contracted the Federal Government to construct 4 immigration sheds, at the 4 corners of 39N and 19E. The sheds were built just off the Crow-wing trail as there was traffic nearby. Each Shed accommodated 48 families at one time.”
“Work on the 4 sheds began in late June of 1874. Each building was 20ft x 100Ft and was divided into 12 sections. Shantz invested $3,000 and received in return land valued at $640. Then days after the buildings were done the first group of settlers arrived.”
Braun noted that “It took the Metis living in the area, 3 days to haul the luggage, the elderly and infirmed from the Landing Site, at the confluence of the Rat River and Red River to the Immigration Sheds 7kms away. Women and Children lived in their temporary housing while the men were accompanied by the Metis to look for the best land to start their farms on.”
“Within 2 years – from 1874 to 1876 - 30 villages were built east of the Red River and north of the American border. Then another 25 villages were built over the next 10 years.”
Representing the Metis men and women who helped settle the early Mennonite immigrants, Armand and Kelly Jerome brought a replica Red River Cart for the event and thanked Ernie and Doreen Braun for including them in Mennonite Historical Society events like this one. Armand is of Red River Metis ancestry as well as a Cart builder. He appreciated the honour of being included "in this most important ceremony honouring the beginnings of the Metis and the Mennonite journey through life."
Armand says the Red River Cart at the event is one which took part in a journey back in 2002. The journey took him along the Crow Wing Trail to Winnipeg. He continues, "it was at that time that I was approached by the Mennonite Historical Community to do a re-enactment of the 1874 Mennonite landing on our ride. This extra adventure was received with great enthusiasm by the group I was with." He mentioned that the Red River Cart on display at the ceremony was the same one from that ride 20 years ago.
"Little did I know at the time, that I'd be standing here 20 years later, celebrating another historic marker, honouring both the Mennonite and Metis heritage. I sincerely hope that the continued sharing of our cultures continues into the future. That we will learn to grow with one another."
RM of Hanover, Stan Toews thanked the Indigenous and French-Metis people for helping assist with settling the Mennonites. “Teaching them, sharing their knowledge of the land and the area and welcoming them.” Toews says there are about 40,000 Mennonites living in the southeast whose forefathers settled in the area in the area in the late 1800s. “We are gathered around a rock of remembrance that is permanently planted on the very soil that provided the first temporary home of a determined people of faith.”
Mayor of Niverville, Myron Dyck notes his Great-grandmother came with his Grandma in the 1874 immigration and thanks the EastMenn Historical Society “for making sure that the history of which the foundations for where we are today was built. Thank you for your willingness to commemorate this so it’s not forgotten.”
Dyck continues, “As we think of the Metis who welcomed our forefathers, it’s not lost on me, as Mayor of Niverville that as we see more immigrants coming to our area, we need to continue to welcome them. We must remember there were others who helped us feel like we could belong here.”
Artistic contributors to the plaque on the Cairn are Don Hoeppner who sketched and painted what he believes the Shantz Immigration Sheds might have looked like.
As well as, Neil Klassen, Art Teach at the SRSS sketched what he believes family life inside of the Shed might have been like.
Dale Shantz, whose Great-Great Uncle was Jacob Y. Shantz, noted that his family was also very grateful for the Cairn and thanked the EastMenn Historical Society for erecting it.
Fri, Apr 26, 7:50 AM
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