The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1979, Qupperneq 17

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
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8. To encourage and give assistance to
visits and performances and exhibitions
and publications of Icelandic artists in
Canada and Canadian artists in Iceland.
9. To assist in the collection and preserva-
tion of works of art. handicrafts, books,
periodicals, manuscripts, and docu-
ments by or relating to the people of
Iceland or people of Icelandic descent.
The Charter Agreement provides that the
Foundation may assist associations, pub-
lishers, and other organizations whose aims
and objects are similar to the objects of the
Foundation.
An objective of the Canada—Iceland
Foundation is to reach and help young
people of Icelandic descent as well as
others who may be interested in Icelandic
history, language and literature, increase
their knowledge and develop their capa-
bilities so that they will be better equipped to
make their particular contribution to the de-
velopment of Canada.
The Canada-Iceland Foundation with its
advisory committee of prominent men in
Iceland — the Island-Kanada Rad — is the
most recent and, in my opinion, the most
logical and effective instrument or organi-
zation for perpetuating and supporting in
either or both languages our interest in the
past, and for creating a continuous and
effective bond with the old land.
In the years ahead, the Canada-Iceland
Foundation should develop into a well-
endowed organization able and ready for
effective and constructive action. To date,
only the idea and the form of the Canada-
Iceland Foundation have been successfully
launched. Only a few planks in the hull of
this good, new “Viking Ship” have been
assembled. Even so, the ship’s compass has
already been set. The flag has an old
familiar design. A great deal of hard but
pleasant work has yet to be done before our
ship is made seaworthy. She must be
capable of weathering the storms of protest
and opposition, and the even more deadly
calm of apathy and indifference. We must
enlist many more sailors with spirit and
vision to man her decks before we can hoist
the sails. Gold and silver must be placed in
her treasure chest ot help defray the cost of
travel and study for many young, promising
students who will apply for passage. If every-
thing goes well, she will be plying the inland
waterways of this great continent and her
young passengers will stop at many centres
of learning. We will also expect the mem-
bers of her crew (the sponsors) and her
young student passengers to make an occa-
sional voyage of re-discovery across the
North Atlantic to Iceland. Herein lies the
challenge. The success of our new venture
depends on the initiative, enterprise, sac-
rifice, and response of many individual citi-
zens acting in unison and with a purpose.
This important project, the building of our
“Viking Ship of the Future” — “The
Canada-Iceland Foundation” depends on
our ability, as a group, to grasp the oppor-
tunities that are now within our reach.
During the period that lies ahead, as in the
past, it will be the desire of the people of
Icelandic ancestry to make a creditable
contribution to the cultural, scientific and
material progress of Canada.
This, then, is but a small chapter of the
interesting historical background of our
present environment.
New Horizons
Now, ninety years after joining Con-
federation, Manitoba has been enlarged and
transformed from a predominantly Scottish,
French and Metis settlement of farmers and
fur-traders to its present size and develop-
ment. Winnipeg is now a most cosmo-
politan city. Every European nationality and
others are represented among its citizens.
One has only to be present at the Musical
Festival, held in Winnipeg every year, or to
attend performances of the Winnipeg Sym-
phony Orchestra or the Royal Winnipeg
Ballet or the Manitoba Theatre Centre to
realize that, both on the stage and in the