Many colony Mennonites in Latin America are applying for Canadian citizenship derived from their ancestors’ citizenship.

An amended Canadian Citizenship Act, passed Dec. 15, grants all descendants of the Mennonite group that left Canada for Mexico and Paraguay in the 1920s the right to Canadian citizenship.

Not all who apply intend to live in Canada. Two families from Bolivia, however, are already in Canada and applying for citizenship. Marvin Dueck, who is assisting them, said both families have compiled all the necessary documents from their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

One of the couples, Cornelius Friesen Banman and Margaretha Neufeld Neufeld, arrived in Canada last May from Bolivia. They came from Village #332 in California Colony, a daughter colony of Manitoba and Riva Palacios colonies. They said that they left because they were poor and saw no way to have their own place and farm.

The other couple, Peter Wiebe Penner and Elisabeth Friesen Neufeld, arrived last June from Bolivia with their children. They came from Village #49 in California Colony. Their land was frequently flooded, preventing them from harvesting any crops. They hope for a better future in Canada.