Welcome to Icelandic River Heritage Sites
Manitoba's Icelandic River Heritage district in the Rural Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton is one of Canada's most unique and historically rich areas. To document and showcase this unique history, Icelandic River Heritage Sites Inc. was formed on Oct. 22, 2006 (the 131st anniversary of the landing of the first Icelandic settlers on Willow Point) as a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to making this unique heritage more visible and accessible for present and future generations...
As part of historic New Iceland, which was established on Lake Winnipeg in 1875 by immigrants from Iceland, the Icelandic River district has been the setting of both unimaginable hardship and inspiring achievement for more than 140 years. Here in Icelandic River, the Icelandic settlers transplanted their ancient language and culture - still evident in the area’s wealth of place names and traditions - and here they forged unique relationships with both their aboriginal neighbours and settlers of other origins. Icelandic River has been the scene of many milestone events over a century as an outpost of culture, commerce, and transportation, not to mention, also the home to many notable figures - visionaries, poets, musicians, scholars, innovators, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and larger-than-life characters. Today it remains one of Manitoba’s most culturally and geographically unique districts.
Sigtryggur Jónasson
In the long history of the Icelandic people in North America, no one has done more to establish the Icelandic presence than Sigtryggur Jónasson - the first Icelander to settle in Canada (1872), the ‘Father of New Iceland’, a tireless champion of his countrymen in both Iceland and North America, and a role model as both an Icelander and a Canadian.
Sigtryggur was born at Bakki in Oxnadalur in Northern Iceland on February 8, 1852, the seventh of 14 children of Jonas Sigurdsson and Helga Egilsdottir, a highly-esteemed couple associated with Bakkasel.
In 1872, as a young man seeking broader horizons, Sigtryggur emigrated at age 20 and became the first Icelander to settle permanently in Canada. In 1873 other Icelanders began arriving in Ontario, and because of his experience, Sigtryggur became involved in their search for a settlement site. In spite of his age, he demonstrated exceptional prudence in advising his countrymen, and in 1875 he was elected to search for a settlement site in the Canadian West. Together with four other Icelandic scouts and John Taylor, he subsequently selected New Iceland on the west shore of lake Winnipeg in July of that year. To read more about Sigtryggur and the founding of New Iceland, please click HERE.
Icelandic River Heritage Sites: Our Vision
To honour the memory of the pioneers who laid the foundations for the communities of the Icelandic River area, by ensuring this unique heritage is recognized, protected and celebrated by present and future generations.
Mission Statement for Icelandic River Heritage Sites, Inc.
- Restore, enhance and preserve historical sites.
- Increase public awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the rich history of the Icelandic River area throughout North America and Iceland.
- Strengthen community pride and stewardship through outreach initiatives.
- Contribute to the local economy by increasing tourism and honouring a buy local policy for goods and services.
- Involve the community in events and activities, which support and celebrate heritage sites, the people and the cultures associated with the settlement of the Icelandic River area.
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