The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1945, Qupperneq 14

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
June 1945
Chateau Laurier to capture the hearts
of French and English alike, is on dis-
play; the silver tea service which be
longed to the late Sir John A. Mac-
Donald and which is large enough even
for an Icelandic coffee party; Canada’s
first newspaper, the key to old Fort
Garry; all these and more are reminders
of Canada’s past history. Students of
history visit the Archives in search of
original manuscripts and papers bearing
upon some phase of historical research
in which they may be engaged.
The correspondence between John
Taylor the Icelandic Agent, Sigtryggur
Jonasson, Assistant Icelandic Agent, and
the Canadian government tells a most
interesting story of the establishment
of the first Icelandic colonies in Canada.
Jonasson’s annual report for the year
1877 states there were 103 deaths from
smallpox, only 25 of these being of per-
sons over 12 years of age; that the men
get occasional good catches of white-
fish; that the first Icelandic paper was
published in September 1877; suggests
that as an inducement to settlers to
come to Gimli, there should be two
mail deliveries a week instead of one
a month. He apologizes for the increase
in his expense account: dog teams had
originally been hired for $2.00 a day
but after the physicians came to Gimli
and paid $3.00 a day, the owner of the
dogs (Jon Ramsay) would not rent them
for less than that “unreasonable” sum.
There are other places of interest
which the visitor should not overlook;
the museum, the library of Parliament,
the National Observatory, which sup-
plies us with correct time; the Experi-
mental Farm which has made so many
valuable contributions to agriculture,
the Royal Mint, the National Art Gal-
lery, Rideau Hall, the resident of the
Governor General and the National
War Memorial.
Lest some Icelander has deferred an
intended visit to our capital city from
fear of finding himself far removed
from all his compatriots, it will be joy-
ful news to him to hear that he may
safely allay his fears. While he may
not be able to identify any of our
thoroughfares with Sargent Avenue in
Winnipeg or Centre St. in Gimli, he
will soon discover that there we have
a sizeable colony of Canadians of Ice-
landic extraction, many of whom can
converse in Icelandic! They are found
in many departments of government,
some holding positions of great respon-
sibility, yes, and a number are here as
advisers and experts in their chosen
fields. If Lord Dufferin could have wit-
nessed this invasion of the Capital by
Icelanders he would have regarded it
as confirmation of the sentiments ex-
pressed in his kind and generous words
of encouragement spoken to the colonists
on the harsh shores of Lake Winnipeg
almost three quarters of a century ago.
Ottawa has a reputation of being one
of the most beautiful cities in Canada.
It is situated on a cluster of hills and
across the Ottawa River are the Gati-
neau Hills, which, to be really appre-
ciated, should be seen in the spring,
just when the trees are starting to turn
green, or in the fall when they are a
riot of colour, rust, gold and green. This
is a sight which we believe cannot be
surpassed anywhere. The lordly Ottawa,
the picturesque Gatineau, the pastoral
Rideau, all add to the beauty of the
district. Within 30 miles of Ottawa are
good waters for trout fishing and in the
winter skiing on the hills is perfect.
In a certain sense Ottawa is Canada.
Here is the seat of Government. Here
is the dynamo which energizes the na-
tion, the force which gives direction
and impetus when problems of national
importance arise. During the war we
have been made more aware of this
than ever before, for never have we
been subjected to so many controls
and regulations affecting our every day
lives. To this city come all Canadians
who must confer on important matters
with the Government; delegations ask-
ing for the institution of new regulations
or revision of existing ones; people from
all walks of life, all bent on Canada’s