Mennonite Central Committee Ontario Southeast Asian Refugee Oral History Project

Title: Mennonite Central Committee Ontario Southeast Asian Refugee Oral History Project

Date of creation: 2010

Physical description: 8 audio compact discs; 11 cm of textual records

Administrative history: On 5 March 1979, Mennonite Central Committee Canada signed a refugee sponsorship agreement with the government of Canada. MCC Canada was to act as the umbrella organization for churches, organizations and individuals who sponsored southeast Asian refugees. MCC Canada administered this program, titled the Refugee Assistance Program, through its Overseas Services division. The majority of refugees under this program arrived in Canada between 1979 and 1980. In Ontario, the MCC Ontario Relief and Immigration Section supported the work of refugee sponsors. MCC Ontario also employed a settlement worker.

In the summer 2010, MCC Ontario staff conducted an oral history project to reconnect with the former refugees and record their stories.

Custodial history: Transferred from Mennonite Central Committee Ontario in 2010.

Scope and content: This series documents the oral history project conducted by MCC Ontario staff person Laura Stemp-Morlock in the summer of 2010. It contains audio compact discs of many of the interviews, printed transcripts of some interviews, and release forms from the interviewees. It also contains lists and correspondence documenting efforts to contact congregations and individuals in Ontario who sponsored southeast Asian refugees.

Restrictions on access: See 22.13.2/5 Interviewee files.

File list:

Sub-series 1: Interviews

1. Fay Anonthysene, Kam Anonthysene and Pam Anonthysene, interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 18 Jul 2010. 2 audio compact discs. - no transcript.
2. Khim Bounket interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 19 July 2010, 1 compact disc. - transcript located in Hist.Mss.22.13.2/5.
3. William Bounsanga and Pay Thoune Bounsanga sponsored by Floradale Mennonite Church, interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 18 Jul 2010. 1 audio compact disc. - transcript located in Hist.Mss.22.13.2/5.
4. Lo Chiang Cheng sponsored by Christian Fellowship Chapel, interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 2010.
   Note: Interview not recorded. See Hist.Mss.22.13.2/5 for interview notes. Interview featured in "Stories to tell : MCC Ontario seeks to reconnect with sponsored refugees from years gone by" / by Laura Stemp-Morlock, Canadian Mennonite 14 (12), pp. 4-7.
5. Dung Manh Do sponsored by Niagara United Mennonite Church, interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 24 Jun 2010, 2 compact discs. - transcript located in Hist.Mss.22.13.2/5.
6. Thanh Huong (also known as David Huong) and My Hue Tram sponsored by Tavistock Mennonite Church, interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 24 Jun 2010. 1 audio compact disc - transcript located in Hist.Mss.22.13.2/5.
7. Ka Lee-Paine sponsored by Crosshill Mennonite Church, interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 19 Jul 2010, 1 compact disc. transcript located in Hist.Mss.22.13.2/5. - no transcript.
8. GaoHlee Vang and Boua Vanh Vang Her interviewed by Laura Stemp-Morlock, 4 Jul 2010.
   Note: Record of interview not yet received. 

Sub-series 2: Project Documentation

1. Head of family refugee/sponsor list
2. Mennonite and Brethren in Christ church sponsors
   Note: See also Hist.Mss.9.24/14
3. Other church sponsors
4. Other sponsors
5. Interviewee files

Back to oral history projects/sound recordings page

Return to top