A new weekly radio program and podcast produced by the Mennonite Heritage Archives in Winnipeg, Man., is bringing history to life through storytelling.

A team of four people creates each 15-minute episode of Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives using archival diaries, documents, photographs and interviews.

“The program offers an eclectic mix of stories, music and interviews that are worth sharing and remembering,” said archivist and team leader Conrad Stoesz. “I believe there’s something for everyone in the stories held at the MHA.”

Stoesz had already been creating five-minute micro-documentaries called Still Speaking that were broadcast on Golden West radio stations in southern Manitoba. Positive feedback prompted Golden West to support a longer format.

Show host, researcher and writer Dan Dyck voices the program.

“I love to share the riches in stories. I get to learn about ordinary people from the past, how they managed the challenges of life in their time, what motivated them, and so on,” he said. “Once in a while we discover stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, or unusual events in unexpected places. There’s a lot we can learn from the past.”

Caley Dyck also researches and writes for the program. Besides the airwaves, the program is available on Spotify and Apple Music podcast platforms and mharchives.ca.

More than two dozen episodes are available covering topics like Flower Annie, who sold crepe paper flowers on the streets of Winkler; the history of Der Friedensfurst (The Prince of Peace), a popular Christmas song with often misplaced origins; the community of Warman, Sask., whose residents said no to a uranium refinery; and local celebrity Aunt Olly and her Children’s Party program.