Hutterite Leader Helps Members Transition to Mainstream Society Through Employment and Support

Daniel Roy has spent seven years assisting Hutterites across the Canadian prairies in transitioning from communal life to mainstream society. His initiative began after a negative business encounter sparked curiosity about life within a Hutterite colony. Roy heard from several individuals expressing concerns about the control they faced and the minimal payment they received for their labor. Through his organization, Colony to Society Association, a registered charity, Roy provides free transportation, employment, housing, and financial support to those seeking to leave their colonies.

Leaving a Hutterite colony is a deeply sensitive decision. Roy explained that it is “very frowned on” to depart, and those who do often face emotional distress from family members who believe they are risking eternal consequences. “Mom and dad call you every day and in some cases every hour crying, begging you to come back because they’re convinced, you’re going to hell because you’re not on the colony,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Roy’s organization has successfully placed many Hutterites in jobs throughout Saskatchewan. He noted a significant presence in North Battleford, where he estimates there are currently a dozen individuals from different colonies. “I’ve actually put lots of Hutterites in North Battleford, in Turtleford, in Meadow Lake,” he said, highlighting the organization’s impact on the region.

Mary-Ann Kirkby, a Prince Albert-based author, has firsthand experience with leaving a Hutterite colony. She wrote two books about her journey, including “I am Hutterite,” an award-winning national bestseller. Kirkby’s family left the Fairholme Hutterite Colony in Manitoba in 1969 due to a conflict. She emphasized the difficulty of transitioning from a communal lifestyle to mainstream society, yet noted the importance of maintaining cultural identity. “It was extremely difficult and lonely to go from a communal way of life to life in mainstream. But it was enormously helpful that our parents demonstrated that leaving a conflict did not mean ditching your culture,” she said.

Kirkby has maintained strong ties with her family while preserving her language and traditions of singing and storytelling. She described the process as complex, yet underscored the value of community and heritage in navigating new circumstances. Her experience highlights the delicate balance between individual freedom and cultural continuity within Hutterite communities.

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