The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1979, Qupperneq 16

14
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
WINTER 1979
reeve and councillors; for relief for the
needy; arbitration of disputes with the right
of appeal and the levying of taxes for local
purposes. Schools were established and I
understand that during the first winter three
issues of a hand-written newspaper were
circulated and shortly afterwards the first
newspaper started.
“Iam sure these are all things which you
know but I refer to them because they show
that the founders of this community had a
love of law and order, a profound respect for
democratic institutions and a realization of
the importance of education.
“Since those early days, the number of
Icelanders in Canada has greatly increased
and you have won a reputation for industry
and enterprise of which your forebears
could be justly proud. I am sure they would
also be proud to know that you have not
forgotten the Icelandic National Anthem,
which was sung so beautifully a few minutes
ago.
“Since the turn of the century, groups
from other lands have moved into this re-
gion and they too have made their contribu-
tion to the pattern of life in the area. I cannot
tell you how much 1 enjoyed watching the
Ukrainian Folk Dancing, performed with
such skill and grace.
“Those of you, whatever you racial
origin, who have become Canadian citi-
zens, must surely have been moved by the
thought of assuming the privileges and re-
sponsibilities of being Canadians. On the
other hand, I am sure that all thinking
Canadians realize Canada’s good fortune in
having such people here to share in the
bright future of this country. Canada owes a
great debt to those early settlers who came to
Canada. Their hard work, courage, in-
genuity, combined with the faith, traditions
and customs that they brought with them,
have contributed tremendously to the de-
velopment of the country and we continue to
reap the benefit through their children who
are filling posts of importance and exerting
their influence, not only here but across
Canada. Each newcomer brings new ideas,
new skills and traditions which cannot help
but enrich the lives of all of us.
“You in this region have become good
Canadians in the fullest sense of the word.
You have sent your sons to fight for Canada;
you have entered into the enterprises and
activities of this country. I sincerely hope
that, although you have Canadian loyalties,
you won’t forget your origins and discard
the traditions and culture of your ancestors.
May the richness of your heritage continue
to be a part of your lives and an inspiration to
us all.”
The main objects of the Canada-Iceland
Foundation as laid down in the Charter
Agreement are;
1. To foster and strengthen the cultural
bonds and mutual understanding be-
tween Canada and Iceland.
2. To promote an understanding and ap-
preciation of the related Icelandic and
Canadian heritage in the fields of rep-
resentative government and the rule of
law.
3. To encourage and give assistance to the
establishment and maintenance of Ice-
landic as one of the subjects in post-
graduate and honour courses in English.
4. To assist or give scholarships to stu-
dents studying Icelandic at Canadian
Universities.
5. To assist Canadians of Icelandic descent
in the study and enjoyment of, and the
production of, works in the arts, humani-
ties, and social sciences.
6. To award scholarships to and otherwise
assist students from Iceland to attend
Canadian Universities, and students
from Canada to attend the University of
Iceland.
7. To encourage and give assistance to the
translation of Icelandic literature into
English and Canadian literature into Ice-
landic.