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The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba – 150 Years of Celebration
Known as Íslendingadagurinn, this festival has been held annually since 1890, blending ceremony, music, food, and pride in Icelandic heritage
Known as Íslendingadagurinn, this festival has been held annually since 1890, blending ceremony, music, food, and pride in Icelandic heritage
Formed by Icelandic Canadians barred from other teams, the Falcons overcame adversity to represent Canada and win Olympic gold in 1920. Click here to explore their journey, see the original team photos, and find out how you might be connected.
We warmly invite you to share your family's Icelandic-Canadian story. Whether you’d like us to help write it up or you’ve already prepared your own version, we would be honoured to include it in this living archive. Our goal is to preserve and celebrate the remarkable legacies woven through our shared heritage. As we are a charitable initiative, we kindly ask you to consider making a donation to help support the ongoing costs of hosting and maintaining this site. Your contribution ensures that these stories remain accessible to future generations. The Gimli Saga is not just a book—it’s a living archive. As we re-release it for the 150th anniversary, we invite you to share your family stories, photos, and memories. Whether it’s a one-room schoolhouse, a farmstead, a festival, or a great-grandparent’s journey—your stories matter. Submit your write-up or let us help craft one together. Please join our initiative to update the printed version of the Saga at https://vikingroots.com/. As a registered charity, we welcome donations for dedicated family pages to help preserve this legacy online for future generations.
See the list of available family histories
From Olympic champions to groundbreaking politicians and cultural icons, Icelandic Canadians have made remarkable contributions to Canada's story. Discover the legacies of trailblazers like Vilhjalmur Stefansson, the famed Arctic explorer; Jónas Thoroddsen, a musical pioneer; and the Winnipeg Falcons, hockey’s first Olympic gold medalists.
Click here to read more about these inspiring Icelandic Canadians and their enduring impact.
Born in Lundar, Manitoba, Don Johnson played a key role in eliminating capital gains tax on charitable donations in Canada. His philanthropy has supported healthcare, the arts, and countless Canadian causes. Click here to read more about these inspiring Icelandic Canadians and their enduring impact.
Source: https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=16157
Margret Benedictsson A feminist pioneer and publisher, Margret Benedictsson fought tirelessly for women’s rights in Canada. Her Icelandic values and bold activism helped make Manitoba the first province to grant women the vote in 1916.
For over a century, the Tergesen family has been at the heart of Gimli, Manitoba, operating one of the most beloved landmarks in the Interlake region—H.P. Tergesen & Sons General Store. Read more here.
Each year, a woman is chosen as Fjallkona, the Maid of the Mountain, representing the spirit of Iceland and opening the Icelandic Festival in traditional attire. Click here to explore the history of our Fjallkonas, view photos, and learn more about each remarkable woman who has held this honour.
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