The Icelandic Canadian - 01.04.2006, Qupperneq 7

Vol. 60 #1
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
5
dated by the National Chapter that include a
lunch program in Labrador elementary
schools.
In 1945, the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter
made a proposal to the Icelandic National
League that the two organizations could,
“form a partnership for the purpose of build-
ing a new auditorium and club rooms, suit-
able for use by returning veterans, that will
stand as a memorial to those who fell in ser-
vice.” The Chapter immediately began to
raise and set aside funds for this purpose in
their new Memorial Fund and the first public
event staged was a pageant, “The Symbol of
Iceland”. Although their proposal was not
acted upon, the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter con-
tinued their dedication to planning and pro-
viding a lasting memorial to veterans of
Icelandic descent. In 1953, the Jon Sigurdsson
Chapter sponsored a “play-writing” compe-
tition to feature pioneer life in an Icelandic
community. Laura Geir of Mountain, North
Dakota was awarded the prize for her play,
“In the Wake of the Storm”. This play was
produced by the Chapter, with the proceeds
going to the Fund, and was presented in
Icelandic communities in rural Manitoba and
North Dakota, as well as in Winnipeg.
(Recently, this play was performed by a
group in North Dakota who were invited to
Iceland to present it there.) The Memorial
Fund continued to grow and, in 1988, money
from the fund was used to purchase a grand
piano that was presented to the Betel Home
Foundation, and placed at Betelstadur in
Winnipeg. In 2000, the Chapter purchased a
grand piano for the Johnson Hall at the Betel
Waterfront Centre at Gimli. Each piano bears
a plaque to identify the gift from the Jon
Sigurdsson Chapter and reads, “To honour
the memory of the Icelandic Pioneers and
those Icelanders who lost their lives in the
armed forces during WWI and WWII.” The
most lasting and important tribute to veterans
of WWII, however, is the publication of
Veterans of Icelandic Descent, World War II
in 1990 and the Supplement to Veterans of
Icelandic Descent World War II in 1993,
which are previously mentioned. Initial
“start-up” funding for this project came from
the Memorial Fund.
Over the years, the Chapter has support-
ed a number of fundraising events in the com-
munity. In 1951, support was given to the
Endowment Fund to establish a Chair of
Icelandic Language and Literature at the
University of Manitoba, and in 1995 the
Chapter supported the Campaign for Funds
for the Icelandic Chair. A gift to the VIP
Millenium Campaign in June, 2000 for the
Icelandic Collection, Elizabeth Dafoe
Library, University of Manitoba, provided a
Bison terminal for use in the new facility. In
2005, the Chapter gave a donation in support
of the Logberg-Heimskringla Future Fund
Capital Campaign.
A favourite project, initiated in 1937, is
the scholarship program. Over the years the
program has grown and many academic and
music students have received assistance
through these scholarships. In 2005, the
Chapter presented 17 scholarships totalling
$6,900.00 at the annual Scholarship
Presentation Ceremony. These scholarships
are awarded to Manitoba students attending
universities or post secondary educational
institutions.
June 17 is an exciting time for the
Chapter when members conduct a wreath-
laying ceremony at the statue of Jon
Sigurdsson on the grounds of the Manitoba
Legislative Building in Winnipeg commemo-
rating Iceland’s Day of Independence.
Following this ceremony, a musical program
has been held, most recently at the Winnipeg
Art Gallery, jointly sponsored by the Jon
Sigurdsson Chapter, the Fron INL Chapter
and the Consul General of Iceland. This year,
to commemorate the Jon Sigurdsson
Chapter’s Ninetieth Anniversary, plans are
being made for a special event, in conjunction
with the wreath laying ceremony, to celebrate
this occasion on June 17th. This event will be
publicized in the Logberg-Heimskringla.
The Jon Sigurdsson Chapter IODE has
brought honour to the memory of Jon
Sigurdsson with the work they have accom-
plished, with their continuous involvement
over the years to improve the quality of life
for children, youth and those in need through
education, social service and citizenship pro-
grams. We gratefully acknowledge the sup-
port of the community-at-large.