The Hutterites are a communal people, living on hundreds of scattered colonies throughout the prairies of northwestern North America. On average, fifteen families live and work on the typical Hutterite colony, where they farm, raise livestock and produce manufactured goods for sustenance. The communal lifestyle of the Hutterites finds its roots in the biblical teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Emerging as a distinct culture and religious group in the early 16th century, this non-resistant Anabaptist sect endured great persecution and death at the hands of the state and church in medieval Europe. In colonies of 60 to 150 persons, they operate collective farms and, not unlike the Old Order Amish, remain aloof from outside society, taking no part in politics.

The Hutterite Brethren, often known as Hutterites, represent a traditional Christian community that emerged as a distinct sect during the Anabaptist movement. While they exhibit variations in traditions, religious beliefs, and culture, Hutterites share historical and geographical connections with the German-Russians and play a significant role as an immigrant group in the Dakotas. Hutterites share a common ancestry with Mennonites and Amish, all of whom adhere to Anabaptist principles that reject infant baptism in favor of considering baptism as a personal commitment to their faith and the church as adults. However, what distinguishes the Hutterites from other Anabaptist groups is their resolute dedication to communal living, wherein all colony members collectively share their material possessions. Hutterites take the biblical evidence for communal living very seriously and see it as the ultimate expression of love for their fellow community members.

Hutterites share a common ancestry with Mennonites and Amish, all of whom adhere to Anabaptist principles that reject infant baptism in favor of considering baptism as a personal commitment to their faith and the church as adults. However, what distinguishes the Hutterites from other Anabaptist groups is their resolute dedication to communal living, wherein all colony members collectively share their material possessions. Hutterites take the biblical evidence for communal living very seriously and see it as the ultimate expression of love for their fellow community members. Persecutions drove the Hutterites to Hungary and Ukraine in the 17th century and to South Dakota in the 1870s; during World War I, because of persecution inspired by their pacifism, they migrated to Canada. After the war many returned to the United States. Their high annual birth rate (45.9 per 1,000) has necessitated new colonies, sometimes to the displeasure of neighbors who distrust their communal life, object to their pacifism, and generally misunderstand their unorthodox way of life.