BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Icelanders of Victoria is a member club of the Icelandic National League of North America (INLNA).
As of 2019, our current Board of Directors is comprised of:
Ruth Jonasson-Cartwright President (250) 479-6997
Fred Bjarnason Past-President (250) 507-6253
Margo Matwychuk Treasurer (250) 384-1197
Vorna Butler Secretary (250) 721-3299
Valla Eiriksson Membership, Media, Website (email only)
Board Members-at-Large
Runa Pleshak (250) 478-4778
Beverley Norman (250) 415-5630
Rheta Steer (250) 721-4960
William Valgardson (250) 595-5648
Kathleen Arnason (778) 678-6115
The seeds of the Icelanders of Victoria were sown in 1995 when a small group of people of Icelandic descent began to gather socially. They recognized the need to promote an interest in Icelandic culture, tradition and heritage and in 1997 the present Association was formed.
The Icelanders of Victoria sponsor an annual Þorrablót banquet, an Iceland Independence Day picnic in June, and a Christmas social. We host "coffee socials" for visiting Icelandic tour groups and dignitaries throughout the year, and the club enjoys regular screenings of Icelandic movies and documentaries, which are free of charge and open to members and non-members.
Visiting singers, artists and lecturers round out our cultural calendar. The University of Victoria sponsors the Richard and Margaret Beck Trust Lecture Series on Icelandic history, literature, folklore and art, delivered by visiting teachers, writers and researchers from Iceland. In 2016, our club sponsored a unique concert in Victoria, a renowned Icelandic men's choir on their tour of western Canada. The Icelanders of Victoria have actively participated in the Scandinavian Association since it was formed in 1996, including the annual Scandinavian Christmas Craft Fair and other gatherings. Learn how you can join the Icelanders of Victoria or renew your membership, on our Membership page.
Your membership and support are key to the continued success of the Icelandic community on Vancouver Island. Our purpose is to keep our Icelandic heritage alive and thriving. Find out more on our Membership page.
Upcoming Events
Our next event is the annual Icelandic Independence Day picnic. The official Independence Day is June 17th. It falls on a Monday this year. Please see the Upcoming Events page for more information.
