Lögberg-Heimskringla - 21.02.1986, Side 8

8-WINNIPEG, FÖSTUDAGUR 21. FEBRÚAR 1986
llcelandic Contentl
The editorial looks ahead and
comrnents on the upcoming Annuan
Convention of the Icelandic National
League, which is to be held in
Vancouver April 4-5-6. This is the
first time the Convention has been
held outside Manitoba so history is
being made. The decision to move
the 1986 Convention to Vancouver
has been criticized by some, who
argue that since Manitoba has the
largest number of Icelanders of all
the provinces, the Convention should
be held here. It is probably true that
people of Icelandic descent are most
numerous in Manitoba but recent
minutes of a meeting of the Icelandic
National League show that the six
Manitoba Chapters have in total 335
members whereas the B.C. Chapter
alone has 369 membersí
Saskatchewan has 141 members and
the three Chapters in Alberta have a
w Ui t sjlcii y
total of 157 members. There are
probably a few honorary members in
Manitoba, who may not be included
in the above figure but nevertheless,
the fact remains that B.C.
outnumbers Manitoba.
This is not at all very surprising,
considering the incredibly low
number of people attending the
Convention during the last few years
in Winnipeg. The executive commit-
tee of the Icelandic National League
is aware of the fact that the up-
coming Convention may and will in
all likelihood be better attended than
any previous conventions in Win-
nipeg. This is therefore a step in the
right direction. One would also con-
clude and find logical that the next
Convention be held in Alberta, the
following one in Saskatchewan and
the year after back to Manitoba. Here
Art Björnsson
It was with deep sorrow that rela-
tives and iriends learned of the death
of Arthur Björnsson on January 14,
1986. Art Fought valiantly against the
cancer.
Art was born on November 14,
1926 on the farm at Silver Bay, Mani-
toba — SE Section 17-25-8W. He was
the youngest son of the late Jon and
Sigridur Björnsson. Art grew up on
the farm, attending Ralph Connor
School. He moved to the coast in
1946 and started work at North Star
Meat Packers, and remained when
the company was sold to Olympic.
Art remarried in 1969 to Marie
Budrug and moved to White Rock,
B.C., where he died at home.
Art was a steady employee of
Olympic Meats for 39 years. His ill-
ness forced him to retire at the young
age of 59 years. He is survived by his
loving wife Marie, sons David, John
and wife Cathy, Randy and wife Bon-
nie, Cindy, Bob and Dale. Two
brothers Gudjon of Moosehorn,
Manitoba, Paul of Richmond, B.C.,
two sisters Helga Burnson of Rich-
mond, B.C., Sigrun Roy of Seattle,
Washington, one grandchild, his in-
laws and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held January
20, 1986 at Mount Olive Lutheran
Church in White Rock, B.C.
Cremation.
Heiitage Image Piide
A Campaign To Raise Funds For The Chair of Icelandic
Language and Literature At The University of Manitoba
Yes, I wish to make a donation to ensure that the chair of lcelandic Language
and Literature at the University of Manitoba continues to serve the needs of
the lcelandic community of North America.
NAME______________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________
PHONE NO__________________________________________
Please mail this form with your donation to:
The H.I.P. Committee, #501-55 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1L8
I pledge:
□ □ □ □
$100.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Other $ ____________________
I intend to honor my pledge in the following manner:
I I Payment in full (cheque enclosed).
□ By annual payments of $________________in each of the next___________years
(first payment enclosed)
□ Through a bequest in my will.
Signature _____________________________________________________________________
All cheques should be made payable to the University of Manitoba.
An income tax receipt will be mailed to you.
may be a format well worth explor-
ing as it may result in greater
participation and bettér understand-
ing of the National League and its
purpose.
Considering the figures above, it
also seems logical that the Chapters
west of Manitoba would have mem-
bers on the League’s Executive. It
may well be that the reason the
League is not expanding to any
degree is that all members of the Ex-
ecutive are Manitobans. Their opi-
nions and views náturally only
reflect those of local chapters
whereas the voice from the West is
only heard at annual Conventions.
This was evident last year when Prof.
Solli Sigurdson expressed views of
the Edmonton Chapter. These were
in no way close to what Manitobans
have felt and thought for years. Also,
Mr. Bob Asgeirson of Vancouver
made suggestions which had never
been made and were obviously
unheard of, on this part of the Cana-
dian Prairie. v’ery íew, if any, of his
motions were carried.
Whatever, ahead are very inter-
esting times. The Icelandic National
League can grow and develop into
something more significant. It has for
years been suppressed by con-
servatism and pessimistic guidelines.
Today, the Icelandic society in North
America is most different to that of
40 years ago. It has undergone drastic
changes, the most significant being
the ever decreasing use of Icelandic
at meetings, conventions and in dai-
ly conversations. This trend was ig-
nored or went unnoticed for too long,
Crosstown
Window & Door
Manufacturing
11 Higgins Ave. Winnipeg
Oskum eftir að ráða starfsmann. Þarf
að vera áhugasamur í starfi. Frá 9-3.
Phone 942-6392 ask for Gilbert.
because generations lost interest in
Icelandic organizations, publications,
etc. as a result. The time finally came
when there were only two options;
one to cease all activity or introduce
the English language to social func-
tions, cultural meetings and publica-
tions. Fortunately, the latter option
was chosen and the public has ever
since been learning that you can use
the English language on Icelandic af-
fairs. Most Icelandic organizations
report an increase in membership
during the last few years which
shows that the message is getting
across. The Icelandic National
League can and should capitalize on
this trend. The upcoming convention
will mean very much to its future
and daily operation. But it must be
willing and ready to compromise, ac-
cept and put to use, positive sug-
gestions, or this convention will again
be "a dismal failure".
Tailin & Kristjansson
Barristcrs and Solicitors
501-55 Donald St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 1L8
942-8171
Minnist
BETEL
í erfðaskrám yðar
Working To Keep Our Heritage Alive
CANADA ICELAND
FOUNDATION
SECRETARY 1-204-772-8989
Mrs. S. Borga Jakobson
1145 Dominion St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 2P3
Saga Tours Presents
The Icelandic National League Convention
Western Canada Group Excursion
2-9 April, 1986
On April 5-6. 1986. the lcelandic National League Annual Convention will be held in
Vancouver. B.C.. íor the first time. To commemorate this event. Saga Tours Inc.. has design-
ed a special ‘railway excursion" to and from the convention for residents of Manitoba and
surrounding areas. This excursion will leave Winnipeg on the evening of Wednesday. 2
April: and y/ill return on Wednesday- moming. 9 April.
This excursion includes round trip travel aboard a modem VIA RAIL daycoach. featur-
ing a "circle tour' of Western Canada. Excursion guides will co-ordinate group activities
on board the train. Participants will travel as a group — a relaxing way to see the splen
dours of our country In the company of friends. both old and new.
From $299.00 per person — round trip.
Sleeping car accommodations are available for an extra charge. One-way or delayed retum
íares may also be arranged fextra charge).
For a complete brochure. or to make your reservations (Deadline 1 March. 19861. please
contact:
Saga Tours Inc.. Box 213, St. James P.O., Winnipeg MB R3J 3R4
or Eric Jonasson (204) 885-5792
This space made available courtesy
Neil Bardal Inc.
Family Funeral Counsellors
984 Portage Ave., 786-4716