Caitlin Oleson

Caitlin is a proud Icelandic-Canadian who grew up learning about the sagas, reading W.D. Valgardson’s books, eating vinarterta, and correcting teachers who insisted that horned Viking helmets were historically accurate. Caitlin’s childhood was full of visits to Gimli, Manitoba where she would spend time with her amma and afi on her father's side. She even joined the Icelandic Canadian Club of Western Manitoba when she was in the eleventh grade.

Upon graduating high school, Caitlin moved to Ottawa to pursue a degree in journalism. She fell in love with the city and decided to stay, but in doing so she lost touch with her heritage. It wasn’t until Caitlin participated in the Snorri Program in 2017 that her love of all things Icelandic was reignited. 

Her cousins in Dalvík welcomed her with open arms and eagerly introduced her to their culture, including music, language, and a variety of foods. Caitin was also able to learn more about her family’s history and the reasons for their emigration thanks to the generosity of experts at Hofsós, Icelandic Roots, and other partner organizations.

Since then, Caitlin has shared her passion for Iceland through creating online storytelling videos, attending online Icelandic movie nights, occasionally writing for the Lögberg-Heimskringla, and working on a young adult novel about the Icelandic diaspora in Manitoba. As part of the Icelandic Roots team, she will support the community by leveraging her skills in information management, user experience design, and process mapping to help improve internal systems and communication.