The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2009, Side 7

Vol. 62 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
149
30, having made the trip and accomplished
their purposes in an unexpectedly and
unprecedented short period of 10 days.”
Immediately after their return, a letter
was mailed to the government of Canada,
requesting a large tract of land be set aside
for their New Iceland colony. The area
selected by the Icelandic delegation com-
prised Townships 18 to 24 inclusive in
Ranges 3 and 4 East of the First Principal
Meridian, and included Big Black Island
and the small islands lying between it and
the west shore of lake Winnipeg.
One can only imagine the emotions
that overwhelmed these hardy Icelanders
as they gazed for the first time upon these
pristine wilderness lands, abundant with
haylands, timber and wildlife, and the clear
fresh waters of Lake Winnipeg and the
Icelandic River teeming with fish.
It would indeed have been a time of
great rejoicing and excitement when the
dreams and aspirations of the Icelanders to
secure a large tract of land suitable for a
New Iceland colony were realized, with
the setting apart of their chosen lands as a
Reserve for the Icelanders, by Order-in
Council No. 897 on October 8, 1875.
The history of Icelandic River is one of
adventure, tragedy and triumph. It is a
most unique history and one that needs to
be preserved, protected and celebrated. It
was with this in mind that a group of indi-
viduals got together on October 22, 2006
and formed a formal committee dedicated
to these purposes.
Icelandic River Heritage Sites Inc.
(IRHSI) was incorporated March 26, 2007
as a non-profit organization under The
Corporations Act of Manitoba. Its found-
ing directors were Harley Jonasson,
President; Nelson Gerrard, Vice-President;
and Joel Fridfinnson, Secretary. The cur-
rent Board includes Harley Jonasson
(President), Nelson Gerrard (Vice
President), Joel Fridfinnson, Wanda
Anderson (Secretray Treasurer), Margaret
Wishnowski, Sigmar Johnson, Dr. Irvin
Olafson and Keith Eliasson. IRHSI is also
fortunate to have active and dedicated com-
mittee members Lorraine Sigurdson, Joyce
Johnson, Val Anderson and Michelle
Erickson and many volunteers who help
out at the various events the organization
hosts.
In March 2007 the organization regis-
tered its name as Icelandic River Heritage
Sites Inc., and was incorporated as a not for
profit organization under The
Corporations Act of Manitoba. IRHSI was
registered as a Charitable Organization by
The Charities Directorate effective
February 23, 2008.
In accordance with its Articles of
Incorporation, undertakings of IRHSI are
restricted to those activities and events that
identify, support, protect, celebrate and
otherwise contribute to the recognition,
preservation and sustainability of heritage
sites, resources, people and culture associ-
ated with the Icelandic immigration to
Canada and the Icelandic settlement in
Manitoba.
Commemoration of heritage sites,
events and people will demonstrate in a
tangible way the value that everyone who
lives in or has ties to the Icelandic River
area places on preserving this rich history
and heritage for future generations. The
IRHSI initiatives are expected to provide
significant benefit to the communities in
terms of increased tourism. Hundreds of
visitors from throughout North America
and Iceland come to Manitoba each year,
eager to visit the places where the saga of
New Iceland unfolded, where family mem-
bers or relatives settled and in many cases
where they were buried.
Several heritage projects have been
identified and the list continues to expand
as new proposals are brought forward.
IRHSI has chosen two priority projects as
its immediate focus: Sigtryggur Jonasson
statue, and Nes Cemetery restoration.
Without question the single most
important player in the great drama that
began with the founding of New Iceland in
1875 is Sigtryggur Jonasson - visionary
leader, entrepeneur, statesman, and “Father
of New Iceland.” While Sigtryggur
Jonasson has been widely recognized for
his remarkable achievements, his grave in
the Riverton Cemetery is marked only by a
small stone. To recognize the most noble
and accomplished Icelandic Canadian of all
time, IRHSl is in the process of commis-