An epic journey of survival against insurmountable odds, as a group of Mennonites migrate from Imperial Russia (Ukraine) to the West in 1874. An odyssey of resilience and determination entangled in the crossroads of colonization.
Unfolding with the grace of a masterful Ken Burns documentary and laced with a refreshingly original storytelling approach, Where the Cottonwoods Grow is a captivating odyssey commemorating the 1874 Mennonite migration from Imperial Russia (present-day Ukraine) to the West. This epic journey of survival against overwhelming odds offers a powerful account of resilience and determination, weaving a poetic narrative that stands as a tribute to the indomitable human spirit. Laden with hope and burdened with what few belongings they had, the immigrants embarked on a voyage that would forever shape their destinies and leave an indelible mark on history. Little did they know of the challenges that awaited them - the losses, the injustices, the suffering. Most had never even seen a train or ship before, never mind travel 20,000 km on them to reach the "promised land" - only to find that the promise was a completely untamed frontier in the middle of a never-ending ocean of mosquitoes, swamps and buffalo grass. It would take 11 different trains, 5 ships, 2 wagon trains, riverboats, Red River ox carts, foreign diseases in every port, icebergs as tall as their masts, and more despair than any could have ever imagined. Children were born on route... and many died. Some died on the riverboat, mere hours away from their final destination, others succumbed to the journey's cruelty within weeks of their arrival. But their passing was mourned with a sense of urgency, as shelters had to be built before the cold of an unforgiving winter set in. Meticulously woven into this tale is the story of the Indigenous peoples, the Métis, and the crossroads of colonialism they found themselves in. Their presence and history are honored as an integral part of this migration narrative, as their lands and lives became intertwined, highlighting the deep complexities of settlement and the undeniable reality of nation building.
