Preservings 11 (1997) - Plett Foundation

history of the role of Mennonite women still
awaits major publications. Thankfully, good
beginnings are being made and you are contributing
significantly toward that history.
Your introductory article is most appropriate.
You don’t mince words and you’re not
afraid to step on people’s toes where necessary.
And your criticism of our strident Mennonite
feminists, our poets who use (perhaps better
abuse) our history to shine in the world, and
even our historians who understandably are
often one-sided, is well taken.
Perhaps one comment with regard to Ted
Regehr’s book: The readers’ committee consisted
of representatives of all Mennonite
groups, including women, Kanadier,
Russlaender and Swiss, and advised the author
on many issues. But you are correct, the
Russlaender bias of the author shows through
no doubt. On the other hand, you may have seen
Harold Jantz’s (a fellow-Russlaender!) condemnation
of the book in the MB Herald—unjustly,
I might add,
I am so glad that Royden Loewen came into
my position at the University of Winnipeg and
now continues the programme so well. As you
know, when professors retire, the universities
more often than not fail to replace the outgoing
academics—for financial reasons. In this case
not only was I replaced, but the University also
placed the continuation of the Journal of Mennonite
Studies on a high priority. And Royden
is both an excellent scholar and a fine person
and friend.
To return to the role of women, I may one of
these days send you something about my
mother, Anna Wiebe Loewen (1910-1988) who
married my father Nikolai Loewen of
Friedensfeld, Ukraine. Or do you publish only
Kanadier material in your newsletter?
The enclosed cheque for .... is meant as a
donation toward Preservings.
I wish you well in your busy schedule. My
wife Gertrude asks how you can do all the work
you’re doing. Humorously I point to myself and
tell her that’s how hard Delbert is also working!
Cordially yours,
“Harry Loewen”
Editor’s Note: Harry, I would welcome a
chance to see the article. There is a lot of interest
in our community about the fate of relatives,
friends and neighbours who remained
behind in Russia after 1874 and suffered the
devastation of Machnov, the purges, etc.
_____
July 2, 1997
Preservings
Hanover Steinbach Historical Society Inc.,
Box 1960
Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0
Dear Mr. Editor,
Re: No. 10, June 1997.
When reading the article “Pioneer Women
of the East Reserve” by Delbert Plett, I find
myself alternating between saluting Delbert
No. 11, December, 1997
Plett’s interest, indeed acumen as a historian
combined with his genuine love of his people,
and being infuriated at his myopia in matters
of literary interpretation.
Occasionally, also Mr. Plett’s explicit love
of the Kleine Gemeinde turns to blind infatuation,
making the reader believe the Kleine
Gemeinde is a microcosm of the former British
Empire on which the sun never set.
Historical perspectives are debatable issues,
good literature is not. And writers thereof cannot
be dismissed readily; as matter of fact they
cannot be dismissed at all. The creative process
is the only one which minutely approximates
our comprehension of the Divine, in that
the Divine as manifested to mankind initiated
Creation.
Every Mennonite writer worth the term has
been scarred, generally very badly scarred by
the Mennonite experience. It is no exaggeration
to state that it is almost impossible to be a
Mennonite in good standing and to be a writer.
Di Brandt and other writers have every reason
to fume at the judgementalism, legalism and
hypocrisy of the Mennonite church as it ever
was.
The same applies to Pat Friesen and “The
Shunning” which Mr. Plett attempts to dismiss
as being too polemical. I have yet to read a more
accurate rendition of what Mennonite church
bosses have done, are doing and will do to those
who march to the tune reserved, always, for
the very few (including women).
Furthermore, the publishing world has stringent
standards; internationally they are one lot
whom respect is due. Some of the writers Mr.
Plett lauds have resorted to unethical tactics in
that they got their potboilers published by vanity
presses. This is the litmus test of literature
and it the one and Friesen passed with honours.
Sincerely yours
“Jack Thiessen”
_______
Reinhild Kauenhoven Janzen
17610 NW Prairie Creek Rd.,
Newton, Kansas, 67114-8004
July 2,1997
Dear Delbert;
Just a note to thank you for the impressive
double issue of Preservings! You are such a
prolific writer and publisher!
I have completed a first draft for Vol. IV of
your Historical Series, on the Bergthaler/
Chortitzer Furniture tradition, and I hope to
send you a draft in August, after we’ve “gotten
through” our second wedding of this summer
and lots of relatives from Germany. Please note
also that the spelling of my name etc. on your
mailing label needs to be corrected, if possible.
Best wishes “Reinhild”
_______
Natasha Sawatzky
2406 Roys Ave.,
15
Elkhart, Ind., 46517
June 29,1997
Editor
Preservings
Box 1960, Steinbach
Manitoba, R0A 2A0
Dear Editor:
I was delighted to receive the double issue
of Preservings dedicated to women’s history.
Of course, I read your stimulating introduction
and the article on Maria Koop Plett, my greatgrandmother.
I am amazed at the amount of text
and serious scholarship reflected in the newsletter.
I need to devote more time to read it all
carefully. This is such an important work.
I have a copy of Maria’s journals and will
read same on my own. I am not very clear yet
where I will go with my interests. I have decided
to attend Princton Seminary in New Jersey
this fall, concentrating on religious history.
I need so much more background. But I am always
thinking of my own background. I am
encouraged that others, such as yourself, are
concerned with collecting stories and “preserving”
them and that there is a wealth of material
there that has not been utilized yet. It seems
to me that I ought to make use of my language
skills and my ability to read Gothic [German]
handwritten script. I imagine there are not too
many of my generation of Russian Mennonites
who have learned that. Sometimes it feels like
a responsibility.
So, please know that I remain serious about
historical scholarship and our background. I am
especially interested in women’s history and
therefore very grateful for the issues you sent
me. Thank-you ... you are doing invaluable
work.
Sincerely “Natasha”
______
Regent College
5800 University Blvd.,
Vancouver, B. C.
V6T 2E4
Dear Delbert
Thanks for the latest copy of Preservings
and its celebration of the women of the [East
Reserve]. You continue to do your people an
outstanding service. I continue to be amazed at
the rich documentation available for the Kleine
Gemeinde. Keep up the good work.
Best wishes for an enjoyable summer—ours
in B.C. simply hasn’t come to date.
“John Toews”
______
181-12th St. N.W.
Medicine Hat, Calgary
T1A 6P6
July 9, 1997
Hanover Steinbach Historical Society.
On our trip to Winnipeg last week we toured
out to Steinbach and visited the Heritage Museum;
while there I purchased a copy of “His-