Lögberg-Heimskringla - 20.10.1978, Side 2

Lögberg-Heimskringla, föstudagur 20. október 1978
Camp began on a rainy day a very beavy, overcast sky, but
the spirits of incoming boys and girls were anything but
dampened! A very congenial group, these children proce-
eded to have an extremely busy and happy week.
They were randomly divided into seven groups, with
each group having someone with a good knowledge of Ice-
landic (ie., having come from Iceland). These groups would
Jollow a time table that took them through each daily ac-
tivity (eg. language, music, drama and history, arts and
crafts, sports and swimming). Evenings would provide
varied activities — a good game, demonstrations, skits, etc.
and always a bonfire with songs and, of course, Icelandic
folk tales.
There were three special
events this year at camp.
The first was an all-day
tour by bus through “New
Iceland”. We left camp early
on Wednesday, August 16
and visited the Gimli mus-
eum. Then over to Betel
where some children took
part in a brief program. Next
we stopped at the Vilhjálm-
ur Stefansson Park at Arnes
and from there to Hecla Is-
land. Ken Kristoferson ac-
companied us this day, giv-
ing information on the hist-
ory and tales of Hecla. After
stopping at the church and
walking along the lake, we
boarded the buses to visit
the end of the island. After
a very relaxing lunch, we
went swimming at Lagoon
Beach. The trip then took us
to the Riverton Park and
dock where once again we
ate. It was 7.30 by the time
we returned to Sunrise
Camp — a very beautiful
day!
The following day, a
group of Indians from Brok-
enhead reserve visited us,
displaying their costumes,
clothing, jewellery and mus-
ical instruments. A demon-
stration of their singing or
chanting was given,
Meanwhile, Lyle Ross
gave a talk on 'the lifestyle
and attitude of the Indians.
Lyle was a very competent
speaker, arousing a keen in-
terest among the children.
Both of the above functions
were funded by the federal
government.
Our last special evept was
that we pretended to cele-
brate an Icelandic Christ-
mas. Preparations had been
going on beforehand, but
Friday, August 18 was
Christmas Eve. The weather
even suited the occasion. The
children had made laufa-
brauð, tree decorations and
gifts to exchange. In music
classes, they sang Icelandic
Christmas songs. The festiv-
ity began with a hangikjöt
supper, followed by rice pud
ding into which only one al-
mand had been put. The one
finding the almond received
an extra and first gift. We
then decorated our tree,
danced about it singing the
Christmas songs and' finally
exchanging our gifts. The ex
citement was as real as that
'on December 24. A dance fol
lowed, proving to be a high-
light for the campers. We
know a great deal was learnt
of Iceland’s customs and al-
so the reasons why so many
of their traditions are still
carried on in our Canadian
homes.
The camp is supported
and aided by the provincial
government in that they
help with organization,
leader sessions and funding
for wages.
This year’s teaehers were
Elva Simundsson, Guðrún
Jörundsdóttir, Janice Arna-
son, Karen Vopnfjord, Nel-
son Gerrard, Omar Simunds-
son and Kent Björnsson.
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Summary
This week’s front page offers brief speculations on the
recent re-opening of Parliament in both Canada and
Iceland. Readers will also find a brief reference to a
story on page two, written by Lorna Tergesen, and
concerning the Icelandic Cultural and Language Camp
held this summer at Sunrise Camp.
On page three you can read about the opening of two
new businesses in Arborg, namely Gardar Printing and
Heidi’s Beauty Salon. Another story featured on that
page concerns recent films made by Vancouver cinem-
atographer Bob Asgeirsson, who has been known to
many of our readers as president of the Icelandic Can-
adian Club of British Columbia. Bob received an award
for a film of his on the struggles of the Nashigi Indi-
ans to maintain their heritage and protect their land.
The film, purchased by the CBC, has been shown in
Winnipeg and all across Canada, as well as in the
United States. More recently he hosted a documentary
on the late explorer Vilhjálmur Stefansson, a National
Film Board release show on the program “Nordic
Mosaic” on cable stations in the Vancouver area. The
editor suggests it would be nice for other communities
to have the opportunity to see this film.
The editor turns to the Jón Sigurðsson statue in front
of the Legislative Buildings in Winnipeg for subject
matter for this week’s editorial. Feeling that the
statue deserves some recognition, he suggests that Ice-
landi’s national day June 17 would be an apt time to
commemorate Siguðsson’s battle by way of a small
ceremony of some type at the statue. Since next year
marks the lOOth anniversary of the man’s death, the
editor feels it would be a good time to begin such a
custom. The task of arranging such a ceremony, formal
or informal, should fall to the Icelandic National
League, he says.
Lögberg-Heimskringla received a letter from Robert
Jack in Iceland and it is reprinted on page four. It is a
long time since we have heard from Robert, who has
probably been too busy with soccer this summer. At
any rate, it’s good to hear from him again.
Page five takes a look ot the celebration of Leif Eiriks-
son day in the United States in a sequel to last week-s
story in English, as well as a brief look at recent
weather conditions, snow and all.
Kitchen staff were Donna
Nygaard, Jo Glendinning,
Sandra Yackobowski and
Lorna Thompson.
I personally would Ijke to
congratulate them all on
a job very well done.
Also, I’d like to wish all
our campers a contiriued in-
terest in our Icelandic langu
age and heritage.
—Lorna J. Tergesen