Icelandic Roots in Gimli at the INLNA Convention 2025
- Shaune Jonasson
- 17 minutes ago
- 9 min read
by Shaune Jonasson
The quiet, tranquil town of Gimli sprung to life as many Icelanders descended upon it this past Thursday, May 1st, in anticipation of the INLNA 2025 convention.
Gimli was the ideal host location for the convention as New Iceland is ramping up for a major celebration: its sesquicentennial! This year marks the one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the first Icelandic immigrants setting foot on the shores of Lake Winnipeg on a cold and stormy 21 October 1875.
The Gimli chapter chose “Þó Líðí Ár Og Öld – Though Years and Centuries Pass” as this year’s fitting title. The gathering of Icelanders from the home country and all parts of North America brim with that unique Icelandic pride. Hugs and smiles were aplenty as we greeted each other, those we knew and those we’d just met. As always, there are new cousins to meet and stories to share. Connections with our community prevailed.
The preconvention activity was an Icelandic Trivia night held at the Interlake Brewing Company. This warmed up our thoughts of the ancestors, where they had come from and what they experienced upon arrival.
The convention kick-off followed at the New Iceland Heritage Museum (NIHM). Attendees were introduced to its newest exhibit, Centennial Celebration New Iceland. Curated by Dr. Ryan Eyford, a Professor at the University of Winnipeg, writer, and historian, the information boards and items on display revisit the 100th anniversary celebration and the thousands that descended on Gimli. The many other exhibits in the museum capture the past one hundred and fifty years of Nýja Ísland.
This evening also unveiled the Ferðarefill (Traveling Tapestry) Embroidery hosted by Claudia Petursson, a participant of the original Njál’s Saga tapestry and caretaker of the Traveling Tapestry while on its current North American tour. As the North America Representative of the saga exhibit, Claudia will be displaying the tapestry at more than 15 events and festivals across North America until the end of September 2025.
Friday morning the convention was in full swing. After the welcome and introductions, Kristín Margrét Jóhannsdóttir, Associate Professor at the University of Akureyri, discussed the survival of the Icelandic Language in North America. The Icelandic language remained the language of choice in the early years of the New Iceland settlement. As the Icelandic population integrated with other communities and settlers, English evolved to become the common language. She speculated on what might happen to the Icelandic language and discussed how it could survive.
The acclaimed Andy Blicq, writer, director, and filmmaker, presented his 2017 co-produced film about the life of John Ramsay called A Song for John Ramsay. Andy wrote and directed the film in collaboration with William Prince, an indigenous Juno award winning singer-songwriter from the Peguis First Nation, Manitoba.
The unfolding tragedy evoked intense emotions. Critical to the story was the smallpox epidemic that was brought on by settlers to the area. It has an immense impact on both the settlers and the indigenous community, including John Ramsay who lost his wife and three of his four children. Yet, after all the loss, John Ramsay forgave the newcomers and continued to befriend them, expressing kindness in all his actions.
There is more to this story, elements of which can be seen at the exhibit at the New Iceland Heritage Museum. The video segments capture the tragic story of John Ramsay through song and images. Visit the museum in person or connect to the NIHM for John Ramsay Life and Legacy.
Claudia Petursson's presentation of the Ferðarefill (Traveling Tapestry) Embroidery of Njál’s Saga explained the evolution of the tapestry project and its significance. You may also recall an earlier IR Newsletter article Bringing the Saga Era to the Modern Era :Understanding the Njál Saga Tapestry where Jason Doctor describes the how this tapestry illustrates one of the most famous and mightiest sagas in Icelandic literature.
The tapestry was relocated to the vendor area of the convention. The vibrant colors used in this tapestry cannot be fully captured in an image. It’s so much more rewarding to see the magnificence of the tapestry in person. Observing the richness of its colors, the millions of stitches that together bring the saga to life, even the partial story of the traveling tapestry, portrays the uniqueness of this major achievement.
The original tapestry measure 90-meters in length, whereas the travelling tapestry is its 5-meter-long excerpt. It was designed and created using the same pattern and Bayeux-stitch. We learned how the original tapestry was hand-stitched by many individuals that came from all over the world just for the experience, whether they were crafters or not. The small town of Hvolsvöllur in Iceland was a hub of activity. After 7 years and 7 months, the tapestry was complete. Now the saga project is building its new home.
You can help with building the tapestry's new home! If you, your club or organization wish to make a donation, it can be done two ways: through the Icelandic Roots website or through the purchase of a tapestry kit. On the IR homepage, scroll to the bottom and find the DONATE button in red. Click on that and it will take you to the Donation Page. Choose which option best suits your situation. Also, in the purchased tapestry packet look for the information sheet regarding the different levels on donations. Feel free to follow the progress of Njál’s Saga Tapestry Project of Iceland on Facebook and Instagram.
Katrin Nielsdottir, a librarian at the University of Manitoba working in the Rare Books and Icelandic Special Collections, presented us with an enlightening account of why historical books are valuable resources for understanding life in the early days of New Iceland. She illustrated with humor the writings of many ancestors and what was important to them; what we today might categorize as simple aspects of their daily lives. The takeaway from her presentation was “What are you going to leave for the next generation?”
Saturday morning’s opening presentation was with Dr. Ryan Eyford, author of White Settler Reserve, his doctoral thesis and published book. In his presentation, New Iceland: The First Settlers, Dr. Eyford spoke on four questions: who were they? Why did they migrate to the Canadian west? What was their relationship with the Indigenous peoples of the regions? What was the ultimate fate of the first settlers?
Responding to his questions, the delegates learned about their many heart wrenching struggles. The Icelanders left a country that provided little for them, hoping for something better beyond. Arriving on 21 October 1875 with the oncoming winter and in a storm was extremely challenging after weeks of exhausting travel across oceans and country, by foot, ships, trains, boats and barges. They arrived with few belongings and few resources, unprepared for what lie ahead of them, and no where else to go. Survive they must. Some did, but many died that first winter. Later the smallpox epidemic took more lives. Infant mortality was high. People suffered from malnutrition, many falling ill with scurvy. Learning survival and coping skills in this unexpected new environment was made possible through guidance and friendship with the indigenous population. We might find some of this difficult to comprehend based on today’s way of life. Regardless, we are forever grateful for the resolve and faith our ancestors possessed.
Icelandic Roots posted an article in the 27 April 2025 Roots News called Quarantined Within a New Order. As well, on 30 April 2025, IR hosted Dr Eyford for a webinar Quarantine Smallpox Epidemic of 1876. These two items further enhance the presentation given at the convention. (Click on the titles for access.)
The Day Iceland Stood Still creators, Pamela Hogan, filmmaker and journalist, and Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, filmmaker and producer, spoke to us about their collaboration. The film addresses the year 1975 when the feminist movement was growing across the world.
On one fateful day, 24 October 1975, 90% of the women of Iceland walked away from their jobs on land or sea, and their homes. The entire the country came to a standstill. Excerpts of the film provided various personal accounts from many women who participated in the march, some of whom were just girls accompanying their female relatives, and the impact that day had, and still has on them. Their actions were categorized as a one-day revolution, a strike, which facilitated the gender equality for women in Iceland. Iceland has led the world in gender equality for at least the last fifteen years.
Icelandic Roots presented “Making Your Story Come Alive” with an introduction by Greg McNeill and the genealogical aspects of Icelandic Roots. Becky Byerly-Adams presented an overview of the Outreach activities, inviting those interested in community events, such as the Book Club, or Samtal (Conversation) Hour, to join with different membership offerings. Doug Hanson demonstrated the aspects of the database that adds to our ancestors life in Iceland before emigrating. This included showing access to the farms where the were born, worked and died; the churches they attended; the ships they emigrated on as well as other adjoining passengers, some of whom were neighbours.
Following these short presentations, enthusiastic delegates who had completed the Cousins Across the Ocean Form were given an opportunity to access the database and research their own ancestors, with help provided by attending IR Volunteers. There were many successful searches: ancestors and lineage were discovered, some confirmed; farms were found, and for some in attendance, cousins found new cousins sitting right beside them!
Many other presentations captured the ongoing activities of the different Icelandic groups and clubs:
INLNA’s Gwen Sigrid Morgan, President, and Mark Petursson, Vice-President spoke about the vision from many years ago and the ongoing activities that keeps our heritage alive and the strong ties that bind us with Iceland.
INLUS President, Doug Hanson, also addressed the delegates with the activities and upcoming events of their organization.
The Icelandic Hekla Club in Minnesota is celebrating its centennial year. Presenters were Jeannie Isfeld Entenza and Jody Arman-Jones.
The Snorri programs are in full swing for 2025. There will not be any Snorri West participants for this year. Presenters were Atli Geir Halldórsson and Jody Arman-Jones
Lögberg-Heimskringla staff presented an interesting historical account of the two newspapers, Lögberg and Heimskringla that began each as Icelandic language periodicals, their amalgamation into what we know as Lögberg-Heimskringla and its evolution, to being written in English. It remains available in print format and can also be subscribed to online. Presenters were Stefan Jonasson and Owen Roberts.
Julianna Roberts, Executive Director of the New Iceland Heritage Museum announced the museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Warden of many artifacts, she emphasized the importance of preserving our history and heritage.
Update on the Icelandic Festival was presented by Sigrun Asmundsson and Marilyn Valgardson
The INL Iceland address was given by Pála Hallgrímsdóttir, Chair of the Icelandic National League of Iceland.
Icelandic Summer Camp activities were presented by Brad Hirst, CEO of the Icelandic Camp.
The Canada Iceland Foundation Inc. address was presented by Avery Simundsson, Secretary.
Jóel Friðfinnsson, President of the Icelandic River Heritage Site, and one of the three founding members, addressed the ongoing activities associated with the preservation and upkeep of the various sites in the Icelandic River area.
Vendor tables full of information and items for sale were plentiful during the convention. It was quite the market with something for everyone. It filled three different meeting rooms and overflowed into a nearby hallway.
Tables displayed books written by Icelandic authors, or books about Icelanders. Many craft persons displayed their handmade jewelry, hand knit Icelandic wool products, Icelandic themed table and kitchen linens, pottery and more. There were sweet choices with select homemade Icelandic treats offered by local bakers. Organizations and presenters, such as Icelandic Camp and Lögberg-Heimskringla, manned vendor tables sharing information and handing out souvenir items. The Njál’s Saga Traveling Tapestry was displayed where one could also purchase sampler stitching kits depicting elements of the saga. Icelandic Roots was also there to assist anyone looking for assistance with the database, genealogy, as well as selling our books and memorabilia.
Music is an enjoyable part of every gathering, and the INLNA convention was no exception. During lunch on Saturday, delegates were entertained by Helgi Gunnar Thorvaldson as he sang an emotionally charged song dedicated to a late friend and fellow Snorri, Tricia Signy McKay. The gala evening enjoyed entertainment by Richard Gilles & Heitha Forsyth (Sol James) with Gilles Fournier & Emmanual Bach.
The Gala event was a spectacular highlight of the convention. Capping off the weekend was our notable Keynote Speaker, Eliza Reid, writer and former First Lady of Iceland. She charmed us with "The Bend in the Road: how to make the best of an unexpected opportunity" while unveiling her rules of life. Each one was validated by her own passages of time, from a curious teenager on a farm near Ottawa, Ontario, to becoming the First Lady of Iceland.
The wisdom garnered from her unexpected opportunities offers this set of rules:
1. Follow the rules
2. Get back on the horse
3. Carpe diem
4. Trust in the kindness of strangers
5. Persist
6. Leverage opportunities
7. Use your voice
8. Stretch your comfort zone
9. Look for the good
10. Confound Expectations
Overall, the convention was well attended and enjoyed. The presenters engaged the delegates through varied approaches, focusing on our shared culture, and creating a deeper appreciation and understanding of our ancestors. Their culture remains steadfast. Their traditions live on through us. We will never forget what they endured. In turn, we will celebrate their resilience and embrace this heritage we treasure so dearly.
Thank you to INLNA, the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society and convention organizers for a very enjoyable and memorable convention.
Save the date 29 April - 2 May 2027 and join Friends of Iceland Ottawa for the next INLNA convention. See you next time in Canada's beautiful capital city.
Strong is the bond Römm er sú taug