Their dress and cohesive communities, as well as an at times controversial history, are part of the cultural identity of the Hutterites in Alberta. The history of the
Hutterites goes as far back as the 1600s although the Hutterite settlers first began arriving in
Alberta from the Dakotas in 1918.
From this beginning in Alberta, Hutterite settlement was not
without hardship. The establishment of the early Hutterite colonies meant digging wells, erecting
buildings and purchasing livestock and farm equipment. They encountered
hostility from veterans groups who objected to the Hutterite philosophy of pacifism
as well as to their speaking and
teaching of German.
As well, the community's religious understanding meant that the
generally accepted teaching of evolutionary theory was not
acceptable in their schools.
The difficulties of the depression led to changes in the way the Hutterites of Alberta were
regarded. The difficult economic
times showed that the communal and self-sufficient ways of the
Hutterites had an important place. Their collective and simple way of
living allowed the Hutterites to survive the economic times well.
With the outbreak of World War II, the Hutterite use of the German language and their philosophy
of pacifism resulted in further hostility. Neighbouring farmers saw their own sons off to war, while the Hutterites
appeared to be only expanding their colony's acreage. The farmers
were threatened by these land purchases. In general, the
larger community ignored the contributions the Hutterites made to the province and the
country, such as purchasing Victory bonds and making contributions to the Red Cross.
After WWII the increase farm mechanization led to further friction
between the Hutterites and rural communities. The shift of the
rural population to urban centres as the need for farm labour
declined reinforced the notion that Hutterite colonies were
monopolizing the industry and outnumbering those remaining in
rural communities.
In 1947, the Hutterites were subject to legislation that restricted
the purchasing of land. The Act limited the size and location of new colonies or expansions. The legislation indicated, for example,
that new colonies could only be established 40 miles distant from
each other. This legislation later changed the restriction to 25 miles. Nevertheless this
legislation changed the development of
Hutterite communities. Previously, the colonies were concentrated around Lethbridge
in southern Alberta. As a result, colonies have been established
throughout
the province.
Due to this dispersal of the colonies, more travel and contact
with non-Hutterites is required, opening the community to more
outside influence. Along with the progressive nature of
the agriculture business has resulted in increased mechanization of farming and
domestic work, such as the use of electric sewing machines. In spite of the
number of challenges that have faced the Hutterites, there
fundamental basis of the movement is key to their established
presence in Alberta. |