A Winnipeg woman has moved to Gretna to study Mennonite culture and history, focusing on the connection between people and plants.

Susie Fisher bought a house in Gretna about three years ago and is completing her doctoral dissertation.

“I thought it would be a great place to live while I was doing my research, which is more people based. So, a lot of interviews, a lot of participant observation, just being involved in the community, and I haven't left yet.”

Fisher was told her house in Gretna is an English-style house built in the 1890s. It is a simple prairie home which she loves, especially as a history enthusiast.

During these three years Fisher has collected information from Winnipeg and Manitoba archives, and the personal archives in people's homes. She also spent time interviewing and speaking with people personally.

Her interest lies specifically in the history of emotion in Mennonite culture. She found that talking about the land brought out the most emotion in people.

“My focus is on Mennonite history, the way Mennonites came to the West Reserve, settled this area, and changed it by way of botanical culture – trees, flowers, seeds, and weeds,” she said.

While Fisher is not Mennonite herself, she attended a Mennonite high school, which sparked her interest in this field. Since then she has obtained a master's degree in Religious Studies.

Fisher has also become very involved with the community by teaching yoga, volunteering as Vice President on the Board of Gretna Prairie Centre, and working at the Gallery in the Park.
        
Fisher said she enjoys her slow-paced rural life in Gretna, which she has always wanted.

While awaiting the defense of her Ph.D. thesis, Fisher works in her garden, practices yoga, walks, reads and takes photos in her spare time.      

“I've always felt at home and welcome in a Mennonite community, but also an outsider enough that it continued to be interesting to me to study the culture,” said Fisher.

In January, Fisher will begin teaching at the University of Winnipeg in both the department of Religion and Culture, as well as the department of History.