The story of how the "Brotschuld" or "Bread Debt" was instrumental ...

2024 and 2025 marked the 150th anniversaries of Mennonite communities in Manitoba and in this season of Still Speaking, host Conrad Stoesz from the Mennonite Heritage Archives is sharing true historical stories around this theme.

Following the plague of locusts that ravaged the crops, gardens and even cloth of the first Mennonite settlers in Manitoba, 500,000 square kilometers in size, they were faced with the possibility of starvation, but thanks to the good name of Mennonites in Ontario, they found a solution...

“The Mennonites asked for help from the Swiss Mennonites in Ontario. Businessman Jacob Weiss Schantz led the rescue mission. The Ontario Mennonites lend $50,000, but more was needed and an appeal was made to the Canadian government. In the discussion of Canadian Parliament, concern was expressed by giving money to pacifists. Others pointed out the repayment of debts was part of the Mennonite religion. The good name of the Mennonites in Ontario carried the day and $100,000 loan was received from the government, secured by the Ontario Mennonites. If the startups in Manitoba did not make it, the Ontario Mennonites would be on the hook for the money. Mennonites on both sides of the Red River, East Reserve and West Reserve received money known as “The Brotschuld” or “Bread Debt”. There's much appreciation to the Mennonites in Ontario and the Canadian government for this aid.”

Listen to the rest of the story on Episode 6 of Sill Speaking, season three:

Still Speaking airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:15am during the Morning Show, and every Saturday afternoon at 12:15pm.