MHA Launches Tales from the Archives

Winnipeg, Manitoba — A new weekly radio program and podcast produced by the Mennonite Heritage Archives (MHA) in Winnipeg is bringing history to life through storytelling.

A team of four people creates each 15-minute episode using information gleaned from archival diaries, documents, photographs, and interviews.

Archivist and team leader Conrad Stoesz said, “The program offers an eclectic mix of stories, music, and interviews that are worth sharing and remembering. I believe there’s something for everyone in the stories held at the MHA.”

Stoesz had already been creating five-minute micro documentaries called Still Speaking that were broadcast on Golden West radio stations in southern Manitoba. In response to positive listener feedback, Golden West offered to support a longer 15-minute format.

People from diverse backgrounds find the MHA indispensable in their work, said Stoesz. They routinely uncover characters and stories in MHA collections that find their way to a wider audience.

“Lawyers, novelists, policy makers, journalists, and historians all use the archives. When these stories are shared, we all benefit from what is preserved here,” said Stoesz.

Show host, researcher and writer Dan Dyck voices the program. Dyck has a long-standing interest in the stories that are buried in history. “The idea for Tales was born out of conversations with Conrad starting a number of years ago,” said Dyck.

Dyck has previously produced and voiced audio content. “I love to share the riches in stories. Along the way, I get to learn about ordinary people from the past, how they managed the challenges of life in their time, what motivated them, and so on. Once in a while we discover stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, or unusual events in unexpected places. There’s a lot we can learn from the past."

Caley Dyck also researches and writes for the program. The recent History of Art graduate is drawn to the stories that connect with her own Mennonite background. “I love doing historical research, especially when there's a personal connection. It’s exciting to explore the stories in the MHA, and to share those stories.”

Graeme Unrau handles the web and audio distribution side of the project. He manages the Tales web page, posts photos there for each episode, and handles distribution of the program to Spotify and Apple Music platforms.

“I enjoy seeing the process of taking an idea and bringing all the parts together. There is so much work that goes into a project like this one, especially if you want it done well. Collaborating with Caley, Dan, and Conrad on this has been a great learning experience,” said Unrau.

Twenty-five episodes are already available for listeners covering topics that range from Flower Annie, who sold crepe paper flowers on the streets of Winkler, Manitoba to the history of Der Friedensfurst (The Prince of Peace) a popular Christmas song with often misplaced origins, to the community of Warman, SK who said no to a uranium refinery, to local celebrity, Aunt Olly and her Children’s Party program.

Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives can be heard on AM radio 950, 1220, and 1250 at 9:15 am Sunday mornings. The program can also be found on the MHA website www.mharchives.ca, Spotify and Apple podcasts. A new episode is released each week.