Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.10.2006, Blaðsíða 7

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David Jón Fuller
EDMONTON, AB — Lei-
fur Eiríksson, credited with
the fi rst European discovery of
North America, was celebrat-
ed by the Norðurljós Edmon-
ton Icelandic Canadian Club at
the fi rst annual Leif Eiríksson
Dinner on September 30.
Over 285 people attended,
with guests ranging in age
from a few months to over 90
years. Master of Ceremonies
for the evening was Katherine
Jonsson, a former Snorri Pro-
gram participant.
Among the many speakers
were Iceland’s Ambassador to
Canada Markús Örn Antons-
son; club president Del Sveins-
son; CEO of CashStore Inc.
Gordon Reykdal; historian and
genealogist Nelson Gerrard;
Representative for Landsbanki
Íslands, which sponsored the
dinner, Ólafur Þórsteinsson;
and Walter Sopher, past Presi-
dent of the INL.
A special gift was pre-
sented to the Norðurljós club
by Harry H. Long. A longtime
friend of the late John Harcus,
Harry had been given a highly
detailed model of the Oseberg
viking ship that John had
made. Harry presented this to
the club, saying, “I was asked
to look afterhis ship and as I
get older and near my end, I
think it is fi tting to present this
symbol of our history and his,
to the [Norðurljós] club, where
I am sure it will be well cared
for and appreciated for many
years to come.
Ambassador Markús Örn
Antonsson spoke on the his-
tory of Leifur Eiríksson’s voy-
age to North America, and re-
marked that it was signifi cant
that many people of Icelandic
descent are still aware of their
roots.
Nelson Gerrard com-
mented on this as well, noting
that it was approximately 130
years, between six and seven
generations for many of those
assembled, since their Icelan-
dic ancestors came to North
America, a tiny number com-
pared to the contempoorary
populations in Canada and the
United States. And yet still
today, he said, there are gath-
erings such as this one where
even more distant forbears
such as Leifur Eiríksson are
acknowledged.
Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15. október 2006 • 7
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GIMLI, MB — The New Iceland Heritage Museum held a
workshop and display called “Fiber Revival” on September 23,
featuring local artisans, craftspeople and animal breeders. The
focus was on wool, from the animals that produce it, to the pro-
cesses of carding, dyeing and spinning it, to those who produce
garments and other goods with it.
NIHM holds ‘fi ber revival’
Leifur Eiríksson fêted at Edmonton dinner
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Oct 20, 21, 22
Harry Long (left) and Gunnar Thorvaldson unveil the replica viking ship.
Club president Del Sveinson (left) receives a cheque from Ólafur Þórsteinsson of
Landsbanki Íslands, sponsor of the dinner, as Gordon Reykdal (right) looks on.
PHOTO: DAVID JÓN FULLER
Makeyla Dyck of Winnipeg Beach combs a satin angora rabbit.
Katherine Jonsson was Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Solli Sigurdson sang the anthem of the Norðurljós club as well
as a brand new song he wrote honouring Leifur Eiríksson.
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