They left a legacy

Leg·a·cy: (ˈleɡəsē)

     1. an amount of money or property left to someone in a will.

     2. the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.

We all go through times when we get busy and get lost in the details of daily life. But then something happens that causes us to question everything. What is the meaning of it all? Why am I here, what should drive me, and where should I direct my energy? What does it mean to leave a legacy? The individuals featured in our upcoming exhibit lived varied lives. Some lived through trying times in their home country of Poland—war, hunger, forced labour, loss. Some came to Canada alone, others with loved ones. Some arrived as children, and others as adults.

All of them share the experience of leaving behind their home and starting a very different life in Winnipeg. In this new environment, each one took fragments of their old lives— language, craft, food, faith, dance, culture, memory, ways of being and knowing—and wove them into their new surroundings, connecting with others to find—and create—community.

Each in their own way identified something missing or needed, and then worked to fill the void. Through time, effort, and dedication, they built both figurative and literal spaces for community to exist, connect, and thrive. They established organizations, programs, and events. They altered the built environment, leaving a physical mark of their presence. They also built a foundation, allowing those who followed to find belonging and meaning.

Our upcoming exhibit, They Left a Legacy, opens to the public on Oct. 14, 2023. Stay tuned and follow our social media for updates. We hope you will be able to join us and discover something deeper for yourself about what it means to live life in such a way that you, too, can leave a legacy.