HOF Exhibition at the Mennonite Heritage Museum
The year 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of immigration of Southeast Asian refugees to Canada and the mass resettlement that was made possible by the signing of the Private Sponsorship Agreement that MCC initiated with the Canadian government in 1979.
We’ll celebrate the stories of refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia who found new beginnings in Canada between 1975-1997, and the meaningful role MCC and Mennonite communities played in supporting their resettlement alongside many others.
In partnership with MCC and Mennonite Heritage Museum, on February 1st, 2025, we officially open the Hearts of Freedom – Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees exhibition (Exhibition Curator: Stephanie P. Stobbe) and screen Passage to Freedom documentary film (Film Producer: Sheila Petzold). The exhibition focuses on the incredible stories of Southeast Asian refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The impact of the Vietnam War, the Lao Secret War, and the Cambodian Genocide forced millions to flee their homelands and to seek safety in other countries. These courageous refugees risked their lives, journeyed to different host countries, and travelled thousands of miles to Canada. The exhibition tells the stories of these survivors, in their own words and through their unique perspectives, adding to the fabric of the Canadian history of immigration. The film weaves archival clips of news stories, wartime footage, and interviews with former refugees and Canadian immigration officials. It delves into refugees’ integration into the fabric of Canadian life and highlights the contributions of the first generation and their descendants.
Following the screening of the film, there will be a panel discussion featuring Stephanie Phetsamay Stobbe, Michael Molly, Bill Janzen, and Jennifer Mpungu, along with an opportunity to view the exhibition, Hearts of Freedom – Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees (Curator: Stephanie P. Stobbe). This will be a chance to reflect on our shared history and discuss how we can continue to support refugees today.
The exhibition is hosted at the Mennonite Heritage Museum and open to the public from February to April 2025.
