Honouring our finest
Award recipients at INLNA convention

It’s a time-honoured tradition to gather on the Friday evening of Icelandic National League of North America conventions to formally recognize the recipients of the various INLNA awards. This year, President Gwen Sigrid Morgan and Vice President Mark Petursson presided over the awards ceremony. Following their words of welcome from Gwen and a land acknowledgment by Mark, Kerrine Wilson and Bethany Butler Wong led the assembly in the three national anthems – Iceland, the United States, and Canada – and then the members of the INLNA board were introduced.

In his keynote address, which set the tone for the awards ceremony, W.D. (Bill) Valgardson declared: “People risked everything – everything – for opportunity on this ground. A hundred and fifty years ago, our opportunity seekers came here to New Iceland. It was such a short time ago that I knew two of my great-grandparents who were among the original settlers of 
New Iceland.”

“I see these people as heroic,” he later observed. “I see these people’s stories as part of our Icelandic immigration history that must be preserved. …

“At the beginning of the Icelandic immigration, there were fears that our heritage would be lost. We would forget the Golden Age of the Vikings, the Sagas, our history, but that has not happened. We are here today, in the heart of New Iceland, celebrating our history and our heritage.”

After Bill’s stirring address, Edda Langworth, a member of the Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia, performed a selection of songs on classical guitar. The ceremony then proceeded to recognize the 11 recipients of awards.

Lifetime Achievement Awards: The Laurence S.G. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award was initiated in 2003 to be bestowed upon a recipient for contributions not only to the Icelandic community but also in the community at large. This year, awards were presented to two distinguished Icelandic Canadians.

Norman Eyford
Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia
For three decades, Norm Eyford has been a tireless volunteer with the Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia. Norm has held leadership roles within the ICCBC and the Scandinavian Community Centre Society of British Columbia earning recognition for his long-standing and profound contributions. Norm chaired the 2016 INLNA convention which was held in Richmond, BC. For over twenty years, Norm has worked tirelessly with the Icelandic Care Home Höfn Society – as President since 2009 – ensuring that Icelandic culture and heritage are preserved and celebrated. Norm also shares his many talents with Lögberg-Heimskringla.

Norm’s father Thorhallur (Halli) was born in Iceland. He was nine months old when his family arrived in Manitoba in 1905. Norm was born in British Columbia but spent his childhood in Manitoba, returning to BC after he completed Grade 11.

From his childhood in Manitoba to his leadership in Icelandic organizations today, Norm’s commitment to his heritage has been a defining aspect of his identity. Norm also has made significant contributions to the Métis community, the Delta Heritage Society and the North Delta Advisory Group. Norm is known for his dedication, leadership and ability to connect and inspire others.

Margaret Grisdale
Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary
Margaret Indridason Grisdale was born in Oxbow, Saskatchewan. Her parents were Sveinn and Olafia Indridason. Following her marriage, Margaret found herself very busy as the mom of four active sons - participating in and supporting their many activities.

In 1999. Margaret became president of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary. In this same year Margaret hosted President of Iceland Ölafur Ragnar Grimsson during his visit to Banff.

In 2004, Margaret was proud to be chosen the Alberta Fjallkona. Margaret worked to expand the Calgary club through improved finances and the growth of membership – adding programs specifically designed for youth and seniors. Margaret is thrilled that the LEIC provides the Lögberg-Heimskringla newspaper as part of club membership. Margaret ensured that the history of the LEIC was preserved as newsletter editor and publisher for about 25 years, just recently retiring from this role.

Margaret was co-convenor with Gwen Mann of the very successful 2008 INLNA convention. Icelandic culture and heritage were spotlighted beyond the convention when Calgary proclaimed Icelandic week in the city. Margaret also contributed to the 2023 INLNA Convention in Banff.

Margaret was Membership chair for the INLNA in 2007 and 2008. Margaret continues today acting as a highly respected mentor for the sitting executive members.

Cadham Award: The Joan Inga Eyolfson Cadham Award is presented for outstanding contributions in literature, arts, or media.

Glenn Sigurdson
Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia
Glenn Sigurdson, CM, KC, a long-standing member of the Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia, was presented with the Joan Inga Eyolfson Cadham Award, which was established in 2017 to recognize individuals who have been outstanding in the promotion of Icelandic culture and heritage by way of literature, arts, or media.

Among a long and prestigious list of roles and recognitions, he currently serves as Honorary Consul General to Iceland in Vancouver, as an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University and Chair Emeritus at RESOLVE. In 2022, Glenn was awarded the Order of Canada, which recognizes his outstanding achievement and service to Canada.

Glenn’s great grandparents came from Iceland. He grew up with the Icelandic and Indigenous communities on Lake Winnipeg working for Sigurdson Fisheries. The hard work and community spirit than he experienced as a child in a family fishing enterprise is vividly described in his book, Vikings On a Prairie Ocean (2014). In 2021, Glenn published My Viking Lady of the Lake: A Collection Inspired by the Pandemic.

In addition to his personal writing, Glenn has also penned a vast library of professional publications on a wide range of topics. A common thread to Glenn’s work is conflict resolution and sustainability in environmental and resource disputes. Glenn’s publications are the gold standard for professional practice in their area of use.

Römm er sú taug Award: This award recognizes significant contributions that promote ties between Icelandic communities on an international level.

Nelson Gerrard
Þjóðræknisfélag Íslendinga
Nelson Gerrard, of Riverton and Hnausa in Manitoba, was named as the recipient of the Römm er sú taug (Strong Is the Bond) Award, although he couldn’t be present in person to receive it owing to lambing season. This award is granted to a member of either Þjóðræknisfélag Íslendinga or the INLNA who has strengthened the bonds of the Icelandic community and its organizations across borders.

Nelson is well known and held in high regard in the Western Icelandic community and beyond. Teacher, author, historian, genealogist, preserver of culture and history. His books: The Icelandic Heritage and Icelandic River Saga are considered treasures.

Among many and varied projects and accomplishments, he is a founding member of the Icelandic River Heritage Sites which has renovated and restored homestead properties in the area of Nýja Ísland. He was part of the project which commissioned the statue of Sigtryggur Jónasson, the “Father of New Iceland.” In 1988 he established the Eyrarbakki Icelandic Heritage Centre. He created the crest for the INLNA with the motto Römm er sú taug. He purchased and restored the homestead Engimyri.

Nelson has been awarded the Canada 125 Medal (1992), the Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2002), and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). Nelson was also presented with Iceland’s most prestigious award, the Order of the Falcon, in 2002.

Honorary Lifetime Membership Awards: Four individuals were named as Honorary Lifetime Members of the INLNA, which recognizes individuals who have been nominated by their member club for having shown outstanding service to the INLNA through service in their member club.

Karen Botting
Icelandic Canadian Frón
Karen’s club, the Icelandic Canadian Frón in Winnipeg, nominated her for this prestigious award to recognize her many years of dedicated service, leadership and contributions to the Icelandic Canadian Community. A former Fjallkona (2016), Karen is currently the President of the Board of Directors of Lögberg Heimskringla, a position she has held since 2021. Karen is an alumna of the Snorri Plus Program (2007). Karen is a dedicated community volunteer – serving her community in a variety of roles.

JoAnne Gullachsen
Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society
JoAnne has been a long-standing member and very active volunteer with the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society. JoAnne is a direct descendent of the very first Icelandic baby born in the New Iceland Reserve in that fall of 1875.

Janet Isfeld
Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society
Janet is a long-standing member of the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society, recently retiring from the position of treasurer which she held for some 15 years. Janet continues to be an enthusiastic member of the GICS volunteering with activities throughout the year.

Dorothy May Murray
Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Club
Dorothy (Swainson) Murray is a long-time member of the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society and Vonin Icelandic Ladies Aid. Being of Icelandic descent through her parents, she has inherited a rich cultural legacy that she has embraced and celebrated throughout her life.

Convention Registration Awards: Convention Registration Awards are presented to young persons, aged 13 to 35 years, who show interest in exploring their Icelandic heritage by participating INLNA conventions.

Atli Geir Halldórsson
Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia
Atli is an Icelandic national, born and raised in Reykjavík. He has relatives in North America on both sides of his maternal family tree. Atli serves the Icelandic community as co-project manager of the Snorri Programs.

Rebecca Rae Hayman
Icelandic Club of the Okanagan
Rebecca has embraced her Icelandic heritage her entire life. She is a Snorri alumna (2016) and is learning the Icelandic language. Rebecca started the Icelandic Club of the Okanagan. Rebecca also volunteers every year for the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba.

Emilia Ljos Odegard
Icelandic Canadian Frón
Emilia (Emmy) Ljos Odegard was born in Reykjavík and moved to Winnipeg at 18 months old. She has Icelandic heritage on both sides. Her amma grew up in Arborg, Manitoba. Emmy’s langamma and langafi were Solborg Gudlaug (Lifman) Olafson and Theodore Einar Olafson. Emmy is taking Icelandic lessons and hopes to attend university in Iceland in the future.