The Icelandic Canadian - 01.04.2009, Page 23

Vo!. 62 #2
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
65
Geysir district of New Iceland, they were
assisted by other families who opened their
homes to them until they were able to get
settled on their own homestead. Kristrun,
Sigurdur and their sons farmed, yet income
from outside the home was still needed for
the family to survive. It was easier in
Manitoba at that time for women to find
work and Kristrun, like other women in
the community knew of work available in
Winnipeg. On moe than one occasion,
Kristrun and some other women would
walk to the city, a distance of approximate-
ly 160 kilometers, to find work scrubbing
floors and washing clothes. This work pro-
vided much needed cash to purchase the
family’s necessities, which were then trans-
ported back by the women on foot.
Kristrun worked hard and endured
hardship and loss, yet maintained her love
of poetry, which she composed and recited
throughout her life. She and Sigurdur pro-
vided a home for their sons rich in litera-
ture, poetry and religious teachings.
Kristrun was also devoted to the literary
needs of her community. For a couple of
years the community of Geysir discussed
the need for an Icelandic library without
result. Taking a much needed direct
approach, Kristrun took it upon herself to
travel on foot, home to home, to generate
support and action. Kristrun’s efforts led to
the March 10, 1911 meeting where the plan
for the library was approved. In honour of
her role in the creation of the library,
Kristrun was asked to name the library. She
humbly declined the honour, but submit-
ted a verse she had written which contained
several possible library names. The name
chosen from her verse was Visir, meaning
beginning, growth or sprout. The library
went on to serve the community for fifty
years and earned Kristrun Fridfinnson the
title of “Mother of the Visir Library”.
Kristrun passed away in 1923 at the age of
74 years. (Geysir Historical Society, 1983,
P 176)
The story of Kristrun Fridfinnson’s
life shows her to be an active informal
learner who influenced the informal and
formal learning of her community in New
Iceland. Upon arrival in Canada, she and
her family had to learn informally to farm
in a new country with a different geogra-
phy and climate. Her informal learning
extended to the city, where she learned the
skills needed to work as a domestic servant
in the homes of British families. She may
have also learned some English language
skills while working for these English
speaking employers. In the private sphere
of her home she continued to learn infor-
mally and contribute to the informal learn-
ing of her family. Her sons Johannes and
Fridrik shared her poetic ability. Her abili-
ty to recite poetry was a result of the infor-
mal readings of poetry in her home in
Iceland and in New Iceland. These poetry
readings throughout her life no doubt nur-
tured her own interest and aptitude in com-
posing poetry.
In the public sphere of her community,
Kristrun Fridfinnson’s reputation as a poet
gave her influence in the cultural affairs of
Geysir. Using that influence, combined
with her determined personality, she was
able to contribute to the formal learning of
the community of Geysir. The definition
used in this research included libraries as a
means of formal learning (Merriam &
Caffarella, 1999). Kristrun’s influence on
formal learning in this New Iceland com-
munity continued for the fifty year life of
the Visir library. Kristrun’s story is an
example of the important role that poetry
and literature played in the lives of the
Icelandic pioneers by educating and sus-
taining them during times of hardship.
Rev. stefaia,joi/vassoi/v
ARBORG UNITARIAN CHURCH
GIMLI UNITARIAN CHURCH
9 Rowand Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 2N4
Telephone: (204) 889-4746
E-mail: sjonasson@uua.org