Lögberg-Heimskringla - 20.08.1999, Blaðsíða 10

10 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Friday 20 August 1999
The United Icelandic Appeal
Preserving Icelandic culture and heritage
David Thomasson Photo,- c. isfM
Harley Jonasson
The “Father of New Iceland,”
Sigtryggur Jónasson, devoted his
life to the preservation of the
Icelandic community and the language,
history and culture that Icelanders hold
so sacred. He envisioned New Iceland
as a place where the Icelandic immi-
grants could create their own Icelandic
republic, and thus retain their cultural
identity. He fiercely opposed any exter-
nal forces that threatened the unity and
integrity of the new settlement.
Throughout the years, as more and
more Icelanders moved away from their
communities, the vulnerability of the
Icelandic culture and heritage became
apparent. The numerous Icelandic
groups in existence have been urged on
various occasions to develop a more
united approach towards sustaining the
Icelandic identity. Dr. P.H.T.
Thorlakson, in an address to the INL,
advocated that “without necessarily sac-
rificing the identity of the individual
groups, a co-operative eífort could
result in more effective prosecution of
our aims and objectives.” Similar views
were later echoed in a speech given by
Judge W. J. Lindal, and by many other
perceptive and concerned individuals
since that time.
Today, faced with ongoing financial
difficulties in an increasingly challeng-
ing environment, many Icelandic organ-
izations are struggling for their very
existence. Fundraising events are
becoming the primary activities of these
groups, often at the expense of their
original purpose to promote and pre-
serve Icelandic culture, language and
heritage. This alarming trend empha-
sizes the need for assistance to relievé
the Icelandic organizations of their
financial burdens in order that they may
focus their efforts on their cultural man-
dates.
A Vision Becomes Reality
ARLY ONE morning in a Gimli coffee
shop, a group of men were dis-
cussing the formation of a fundraising
committee to help finance construction
of the Betel Waterfront Centre, particu-
larly the portion that would house the
cultural spaces and museum. From this
idea grew a vision of an independent
fundraising body that would continue
beyond its initial purpose; an organiza-
tion whose sole mission would be to
provide professional and dedicated
fundraising assistance to all Icelandic
organizations for cultural purposes.
Encouraged by the success of similar
united ethnic fundraising groups, the
concept was doggedly pursued to reality
and the United Icelandic Appeal was
born.
The United Icelandic Appeal
Although still in its infancy and
orgariizational stages, all the signs point
to the UIA becoming an extremely pow-
erful and effective fundraising machine.
Led by a volunteer Board of Directors
made up of members appointed by par-
ticipating Icelandic organizations, the
UIA programs and committees are
directed by a salaried Executive
Director of Development. Initially, the
UIA will operate as a committee under
the umbrella of Betel Heritage
Foundation. Depending upon its success
in attaining Charitable Organization sta-
tus, the UIA may operate as an inde-
pendent entity in the future, or may con-
tinue to act as a fundraising committee
of the organization for which it is rais-
ing money.
It must be recognized that the UIA
is not meant to compete with other
Icelandic fundraising organizations, but
rather its purpose is to complement and
support these other groups. Its focus is
project specific as opposed to general
fundraising.
Committee membership is open to
individuals from all Icelandic communi-
ties and organizations, with the only
requirement being a sincere desire to
become an active and committed mem-
ber of a team dedicated to the preserva-
tion and promotion of the Icelandic cul-
ture and heritage.
As the UIA becomes more fully
established, it will publish further infor-
mation on how Icelandic organizations
may submit their proposals and requests
for fundraising assistance.
The First Project
The first project for the UIA is to
raise one million dollars in funding for
the Cultural Centre and New Iceland
Heritage Museum that are to be located
in the new Betel Waterfront Centre at
Gimli. This first challenge is an exciting
one as it truly is a United Icelandic ini-
tiative in all respects. Where the man-
date of the UIA focuses on the fundrais-
ing needs of Icelandic organizations, the
new Betel Waterfront Centre is focused
on uniting the people within the organi-
zations. The cultural spaces are
designed to bring these organizations
together under one roof where they can
share a common purpose while still pre-
serving their own individualities and
identities.
The Betel Waterfront Centre
The Betel Waterfront Centre is a
unique and exciting concept envisioned
to provide for the supportive housing,
health and wellness of its seniors within
a community environment designed to
promote and preserve the rich history
and heritage of the Icelandic people.
The Main Floor Cultural Centre will
be a non-profit, multi-purpose facility
for the Icelandic community and will
house a complete range of spaces and
activities designed to promote Icelandic
culture. It is designed to provide an
opportunity for Icelandic organizations
to work together in an environment that
reflects the common interests of the
community. Icelandic Organizations
that have confirmed spaces and repre-
sentation within the facility to date
include:
• Icelandic Consulate at Gimli
• Icelandic Festival of Manitoba
• Lögberg-Heimskringla
• New Iceland Heritage Museum
• Icelandic National League of North
America
• United Icelandic Appeal
The Rooftop Cultural Reception
Room will be located on the fifth floor
overlooking Lake Winnipeg, and will
feature an outdoor rooftop terrace with
expansive windows to provide a
panoramic view of the lake, waterfront
and town. This area will be used for spe-
cial events and receptions, and will be
made available to community groups at
reasonable cost.
The New Iceland Heritage Museum
will be a major source of education and
enjoyment for communities and visitors,
with its integrated conceptual and the-
matic framework and state of the art
technology.
The United Icelandic Appeal
Board of Directors
The first Board of the newly formed
United Icelandic Appeal has been
appointed and is eagerly preparing for
its official launch. The present member-
ship of the United Icelandic Appeal
Board consists of:
• David Tomasson—Chairman
• Larry Kristjanson—Private
Fundraising
• Dan Johnson—Secretary
• Harley Jonasson—Private
Fundraising
• Dawna Suchy—-Treasurer and
Foundatiorts Fundraising
• Ray Sigurdson—Private Fundraising
• Connie Magnusson-Schimnowski—
Foundations Fundraising
• Paul Stefanson Corporate
Fundraising
• Sandra Sigurdson—Promotions/
Events
• Ray Johnson (altemate) Eleanor
Nordal
• Director of Development is Sharon
Clarke
A short biography of the chairman
follows. The other board members and
the Director of Development will be
introduced in future issues of L-H.
David Tomasson
avid received his Master’s Degree
in Natural Resources Management
from the University of Manitoba. Upon
graduating, he joined the Department of
Natural Resources in 1971 as a fisheries
extension ofíicer.
In 1973, he moved to the
Department of Northem Affairs as a
senior analyst, and filled a number of
senior positions until being appointed
Director of the department’s
Agreements and Management and
Coordination Division in 1980.
For a period of time prior to 1988,
David was self-employed as a natural
resources and business development
consultant and full time Lake Winnipeg
commercial fisherman. In June of 1988,
he was appointed Deputy Minister of
Northern Affairs and Secretary to the
Native Affairs Committee of Cabinet. In
September 1991, he was appointed
Acting Deputy Minister of Rural
Development until May, 1992. In
August of 1992, he was appointed
Deputy Minister of the Department of
Energy and Mines as well as continuing
in his role as Deputy Minister of
Northem Affairs.
In September 1993, David was
appointed Deputy Minister of Manitoba
Natural Resources, the position he cur-
rently holds. He is Past President of
Manitoba Association of Natural
Resources Managers, holds a pilot’s
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