The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2009, Blaðsíða 57

Vol. 62 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
199
Contributors
HENRY BJORNSSON is 76 years old, retired, lives in Seattle WA. His father, Bjorn
(Barney) Bjornsson, was born in Iceland, grew up in Manitoba, and homesteaded in the Argyle
District near Glenboro before moving to Seattle in the 1920s. His mother, the former Clara
Thorbergson, was born in Winnipeg, where she lived until she and Bjorn were married in 1930. In
1959 Henry married Lorraine Vopnfjord of Winnipeg, daughter of Axel Vopnfjord, long-time
Editor-in-Chief of the Icelandic Canadian.
LEIGH SYMS is a retired archaeologist who is currently working on a travelling exhibit for
The Manitoba Museum entitled “First Nations as First Farmers.” For relaxation he and his
Icelandic Canadian wife enjoy their cottage, Litlamork, in Gimli.
IRVIN OLAFSON’s first language was Icelandic as he grew up strongly influenced by his
heritage. He is married to Lois Sigurdson and has 5 children. In 2000, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson
bestowed the honour of the Order of the Falcon to him for his cultural contributions to the
Canadian Icelandic community.
HARLEY SIGURDUR JONASSON grew up in Riverton at Engimyri. His parents were
Johannes Hafsteinn and Jonina Jonasson. He is the Director of Crown Lands and Geomatics with
the Manitoba Department of Conservation. He and his wife Sharon (Oddleifson) have three chil-
dren. He has been involved with many organizations, serving as President of the Icelandic Festival
of Manitoba; Logberg-Heimskringla and Prairie Vikings. He has also sat on various boards includ-
ing the INL of NA, Canada Iceland Foundation, United Icelandic Appeal and the Gimli Film
Festival.
GLENN SIGURDSON Q.C., the son of Stefan and Sylvia Sigurdson of Riverton, is a for-
mer President of the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. Glenn, a founding partner of the prominent
Winnipeg law firm, Taylor McCaffery relocated to Vancouver in 1989 where he has evolved a
career as a mediator and facilitator of complex challenges, often involving land, resources and the
environment. He enjoys an international reputation as a leader and teacher in his field.
KEITH ELIASSON has lived in Riverton all his life. Keith was a teacher in Arborg for three
years prior to transferring to Riverton. He was principal of Riverton Collegiate from 1970 to 1990.
Following that, he worked as a Continuing Education Coordinator and teacher-manager of the
Evergreen Intervention Centre. Keith and his wife Gail live at Fljotsbakki along the Icelandic
River.
JO-ANNE WEIR is a high school Special Educator who splits her time between her home in
Winnipeg and her family cottage in Arnes, Manitoba.
SOLLI SIGURDSON was born and raised in Riverton and grew up in the fishing business
on Lake Winnipeg. He has recently put his Lake Winnipeg Fisherman songs on a CD. He can still
be heard singing around the Hnausa Cottages every summer. Still singing, he is retired and living
with his wife, Shirley, in Edmonton. (Editor's note: Solli has donated his CD One More Season to
the New Iceland Museum in Gimli where it is available.)
SIMONE RENEE MORIN is the great granddaughter of Icelandic-Canadian composer and
poet, Guttomur J. Guttormsson. Her work has been published in Logberg-Heimskringla, The
Icelandic Canadian, and The Collective Consciousness. Renee was honored to place first in in the
Icelandic National League's poetry competition (2007), the Manitoba Icelandic Festival's poetry
competition (2006), and their short story contest (1997). Renee's work has also been recognized by
The Winnipeg Free Press / Writers' Collective with an honorable mention in poetry (2006) and
first place for short story fiction (2007).