Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.05.2007, Blaðsíða 1

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Mmm... skyr
Kristin Olafson-Jenkyns
shares her favourite recipes
for this healthy Icelandic treat
/ page 15
Landsbanki
in Winnipeg
PHOTO: DAVID JÓN FULLER
Landsbanki Chairman
Björgólfur Guðmundsson
presided over the opening
of the bank’s new branch in
Winnipeg / page 6
PHOTO: DAVID JÓN FULLER
NÚNA (now)
captivates
Freya Björg Olafson
(above) was one of the many
artists and performers attract-
ing audiences / page 7
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40012014, PAP # 8000 ISSN 0047-4967
LÖGBERG
HEIMSKRINGLA
The Icelandic Community Newspaper • 15 May 2007 • Number 10 / Númer 10 • 15. maí 2007
INSIDE
i l
ri :
PHOTO: KRISTIN OLAFSON-JENKYNS
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Friday, August 3, 2007
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PRESENTED BY LÖGBERG- HEIMSKRINGLA
New focus on neglected
heritage sites
A local group of individuals sharing a common interest
in the rich heritage of the New
Iceland area recently incorpo-
rated under the name “Icelandic
River Heritage Sites Inc.”
The Board has identifi ed two
top priorities from its list of proj-
ects: Nes Cemetery restoration
and a Sigtryggur Jonasson sculp-
ture. Full details regarding these
projects will be offi cially un-
veiled at a public event planned
for October 21 of this year, the
anniversary of the group’s fi rst
meeting in Riverton last October
21.
Nes cemetery
Nes, the site of a sadly ne-
glected and eroding smallpox
cemetery on the banks of the
Icelandic River, is fi nally receiv-
ing some long-overdue atten-
tion. Marked only by a solitary
blue and white sign bearing
the inscription “Nes Cemetery
1876,” this almost forgotten site
shows little outward indication
of its dramatic history. One of
at least six smallpox cemeter-
ies dating from New Iceland’s
fateful winter of 1876 – 77, Nes
is not only the resting place of
some 30 identifi ed Icelandic
men, women, and children, but
of an estimated 50 – 80 people
believed to be members of the
Sandy Bar Band. Most of those
buried here died of smallpox that
ravaged New Iceland shortly af-
ter the arrival of the settlers, but
others who died before 1880
were also buried at Nes.
Shortly after 1880, a home-
steader from Hecla Island chose
this spot as a building site and
erected a home amidst the
graves. Following his untimely
death some 10 years later, the
house was abandoned due to
strange occurrences, and though
attempts were made to reoccupy
the site, no one ever remained
long. Neighbours, including lo-
cal poet Guttormur Guttormsson,
reported mysterious happenings
at Nes over the years, and even-
tually this low site along the riv-
er reverted to meadowland. Over
the years, however, riverbank
erosion has placed Nes Cem-
etery at risk and it is critical that
restoration measures be under-
taken immediately to protect and
enhance this very special site.
INL Convention
PHOTO COURTESY OF HARLEY JONASSON
Preliminary design of a sculp-
ture planned for the Nes site.
Continued on page 5
Icelandic alumni reception a huge success
WINNIPEG, MB — The
University of Manitoba Alum-
ni Association’s reception for
alumni of Icelandic descent
on Thursday 26 April was a
huge success, with more than
350 people attending.
The event was held at the
Winnipeg Convention Centre,
and the guest of honour was
President of Iceland Dr. Óla-
fur Ragnar Grímsson.
The event was a who’s who
of former students, faculty and
friends of the university, with
dignitaries, scholars and polit-
ical leaders from across North
America in attendance. Many
came from Iceland as well.
The evening set the tone
for a very Icelandic weekend
in the city, which saw the an-
nual INL Convention, the
climax of NÚNA (now) and
other major events.
PHOTO: THOMAS FRICKE
From left: University of Manitoba Dean of Arts Dr. Richard
Sigurdson, University of Manitoba Alumni Association Inc.
President Rennie Zegalski, Manitoba fjallkona Erla Wankling,
President of Iceland Dr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and Univer-
sity of Manitoba President Dr. Emöke J. E. Szathmáry.
PAINTING BY PETER GRAHAM / WWW.PETERGRAHAMGALLERY.COM
Many aspects of Icelandic culture came to the fore at the
88th Annual Icelandic National League Convention in
Winnipeg — poetry, art, business, politics, history and
much more. Above is University of Manitoba student Pe-
ter Graham’s painting “Bothild & Gisli” based on Gisli’s
Saga, displayed at the convention. For full coverage see
pages 8 – 9