Canada Iceland Foundation was created as a charitable body by a group of community leaders and organizations in the Icelandic Canadian Community in the late 1950s to fulfill the need for a funding charity to support non-profit cultural and scholarship activities of our community, aside from the organizations that seek funding for their own specific undertakings. In 1985, the unincorporated Foundation was turned into a charitable corporation. Over the years, many families have memorialized family members with the establishment of scholarship funds in their names. This process is ongoing and the Foundation has been fortunate as well, to be remembered in the wills of members of the Icelandic Canadian community.
Together with members at large, the Board of the Foundation consists of representatives of various community organizations including the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, Icelandic Canadian Frón, Lögberg-Heimskringla, the Icelandic National League of North America, the Icelandic Collection, University of Manitoba Libraries and the Chair of the Department of Icelandic Language and Literature of the University of Manitoba.
Canada Iceland Foundation has been in existence since the 1950's. It is a registered charity and over the years has received gifts from individuals and estates.
OFFICERS
Elva Simundsson
President
After a career of managing various Government of Canada Library and Information Research Centres, Elva is retired and living in Gimli Manitoba. She is a long-serving member of the CIFI Board along with several other community activities. She is a recipient of the 2022 Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba’s Award for Heritage Promotion and Preservation.
After a career of managing various Government of Canada Library and Information Research Centres, Elva is retired and living in Gimli Manitoba. She is a long-serving member of the CIFI Board along with several other community activities. She is a recipient of the 2022 Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba’s Award for Heritage Promotion and Preservation.
Don Bjornson
Vice President
Don is a lawyer and General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Manitoba Hydro. Don was born and raised in Gimli and he and his wife Tanys have recently returned to the Home of the Gods. Don's other volunteer activities include Past Chair of Habitat for Humanity Canada, Past Chair of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba and volunteer counsel to The Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium Inc. Don holds a Bachelor of Science and a Juris Doctor both from the University of Manitoba.
Don is a lawyer and General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Manitoba Hydro. Don was born and raised in Gimli and he and his wife Tanys have recently returned to the Home of the Gods. Don's other volunteer activities include Past Chair of Habitat for Humanity Canada, Past Chair of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba and volunteer counsel to The Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium Inc. Don holds a Bachelor of Science and a Juris Doctor both from the University of Manitoba.
Kristjan Sigurdson, C.P.A.
Treasurer
Kris Sigurdson has been on the Executive of the CIFI Board of Directors since 2019. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant with the firm Olafson & Jones of East St. Paul, Manitoba.
Kris Sigurdson has been on the Executive of the CIFI Board of Directors since 2019. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant with the firm Olafson & Jones of East St. Paul, Manitoba.
Avery Simundsson
Secretary
Ron Goodman Grant Committee
Avery Simundsson grew up in Arborg, Manitoba and was fortunate to be an original member of the New Icelandic Youth Choir, touring Iceland in 2003. She is grateful to have received several scholarships through the Foundation during her Engineering degree studies at the University of Manitoba, and is pleased to have an opportunity to sit on the board and foster the Icelandic/Canadian connection.
Ron Goodman Grant Committee
Avery Simundsson grew up in Arborg, Manitoba and was fortunate to be an original member of the New Icelandic Youth Choir, touring Iceland in 2003. She is grateful to have received several scholarships through the Foundation during her Engineering degree studies at the University of Manitoba, and is pleased to have an opportunity to sit on the board and foster the Icelandic/Canadian connection.
DIRECTORS
Lorna Tergesen
Director
Lorna Tergesen has been a longstanding member of the Canada Iceland Foundation. She has also served in other capacities with Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, Icelandic Camp, Icelandic Connection publication and others too numerous to mention. She lives in Gimli and enjoys working in the family store.
Lorna Tergesen has been a longstanding member of the Canada Iceland Foundation. She has also served in other capacities with Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, Icelandic Camp, Icelandic Connection publication and others too numerous to mention. She lives in Gimli and enjoys working in the family store.
Bill Perlmutter
Director
Grants Committee
Bill is a long serving member of the Canada Iceland Foundation Board and has been active with other Icelandic community organizations, including currently being on the Board of Lögberg-Heimskringla. Bill had a long career with the Federal Government and now enjoys an active retirement with membership at the Reh-Fit Centre and involvement with the nostalgia radio station CJNU 93.7 FM and the Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club. .
Grants Committee
Bill is a long serving member of the Canada Iceland Foundation Board and has been active with other Icelandic community organizations, including currently being on the Board of Lögberg-Heimskringla. Bill had a long career with the Federal Government and now enjoys an active retirement with membership at the Reh-Fit Centre and involvement with the nostalgia radio station CJNU 93.7 FM and the Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club. .
Ruth Kristjanson
Director
Scholarship Committee
Ruth spent most of her working career at Manitoba Hydro, retiring after many years serving as the utility’s Vice President of Corporate Relations. She currently volunteers for the United Way of Winnipeg as a member of its Major Donor Cabinet, for the Manitoba Electrical Museum as a board member, and for CIFI as a director and Chair of its Scholarship Committee. She resides in Winnipeg.
Scholarship Committee
Ruth spent most of her working career at Manitoba Hydro, retiring after many years serving as the utility’s Vice President of Corporate Relations. She currently volunteers for the United Way of Winnipeg as a member of its Major Donor Cabinet, for the Manitoba Electrical Museum as a board member, and for CIFI as a director and Chair of its Scholarship Committee. She resides in Winnipeg.
Salín Guttormsson
Director
Salín obtained her LL.B. from Dalhousie University. Retired as the Executive Director of a large non-profit organisation, she is an elections educator and a parliamentarian, facilitating democracy and citizenship workshops in schools throughout Manitoba, and acting as an AGM consultant. In addition to several alumni and professional associations, she is a member of Dalnavert Museum, the Manitoba Genealogical Society, Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society, Icelandic National League of North America, Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, and the Loni Beach Residents’ Association (Social Media Admin/Past President). She continues to manage an Interlake historical grave restoration project and sporadically contributes to the Lögberg-Heimskringla. Salín winters in Winnipeg, until the weather allows a return to her Loni Beach cottage.
Timothy Samson, K.C.
Past-President
Tim Samson was born and raised within the Winnipeg Icelandic community. He is retired from a life-time career practicing Business Law in Winnipeg. Throughout his years as a lawyer, he has served as a legal advisor to numerous Icelandic Canadian associations and organisations. He served as the CIFI’s President for over thirty years.
Tim Samson was born and raised within the Winnipeg Icelandic community. He is retired from a life-time career practicing Business Law in Winnipeg. Throughout his years as a lawyer, he has served as a legal advisor to numerous Icelandic Canadian associations and organisations. He served as the CIFI’s President for over thirty years.
REPRESENTATIVES
Peter John Buchan
Representing the U of MB Chair of Icelandic Language and Literature
PJ Buchan is a native of Winnipeg and a specialist in Modern Icelandic language and Icelandic music. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, the Reykjavík School of Singing and Cambridge University. He is currently the language instructor and department head for the Department of Icelandic Language and Literature at the University of Manitoba.
Angela Collins
Representing the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba
Angela Collins joined our board in 2022. She is a resident of Gimli and the Secretary of the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba’s Board of Directors. Her role on the Festival’s board include co-ordinating the Music and Cultural Presentations, Poetry and Short Story Contest and managing the Fjallkona Affairs.
Serena Goebel
Representing Icelandic Canadian Frón
Serena Goebel is currently the Treasurer of the Icelandic Canadian Frón of which she has been a member for over 20 years. She serves on the CIFI’s Grants Committee. She is proud to be of Icelandic Canadian descent and part of two important organizations that value the importance of education and preserving our shared heritage as Canadians.
Katrín Nielsdóttir
Representing the University of Manitoba Libraries’ Icelandic Collection
Katrín Níelsdóttir is an Icelandic Canadian who split her life between countries. She is currently based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is the Icelandic Special Collections and Rare Books Librarian for the University of Manitoba.
Shawn Bjornsson
Representing Lögberg-Heimskringla
Shawn Bjornsson is the owner of Viking Financial Inc. and co-owner of Four Points Financial Solutions. Shawn values his Icelandic heritage by serving on the board of the Lögberg Heimskringla, as a member of the Icelandic Canadian Frón and as a Past-President of the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society. He loves sports and is an avid marathoner who is not afraid of challenging himself with such feats as his annual winter runs across Lake Winnipeg. During the summer months, he relaxes with his family at their cottage near Gimli at Valhalla Beach.
Laureen Brandson
Representing Jon Sigurdsson Chapter, IODE
Laureen Brandson has a degree in Human Ecology. She is the Assistant Director at Agassiz Child Care and on the Provincial Board of Directors for the Manitoba Child Care Association. Laureen is proud of her Icelandic heritage and involvement with the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter IODE fits with her own life's work - focusing on children and education. Laureen lives in Winnipeg, and spends most summer weekends at Arnes taking in the Icelandic Festival every year.
Loren Gudbjartsson
Loren has served numerous boards after his initial years with UofM Icelandic-Canadian Students Association. His mother was from Arnes, father Hnausa, and much of his family remains in New Iceland. He has worked as a professional engineer (P. Eng) since obtaining a Bachelor and Master of Engineering from University of Manitoba . He is currently employed as a Specialist Engineer after more than 40 years in a variety roles and projects that included operating his own consulting firm for two decades.
Canada Iceland Foundation, Inc.
c/o 108 - 94 First Avenue
Gimli, MB R0C 1B1
Email us: chairman@canadaicelandfoundation.ca
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