A friendship that has spanned oceans and half a century was formally renewed Tuesday morning as the Rural Municipality of Gimli and the Municipality of Akureyri, Iceland, signed a new sister-city Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen cultural and municipal collaboration.
The virtual signing ceremony, held Oct. 21 at the Gimli Recreation Centre and streamed live to Akureyri, coincided with two major milestones — the 150th anniversary of the Icelandic landing in New Iceland and the 50th anniversary of the Gimli–Akureyri sister-city relationship.
Vilhjálmur Wiium, Iceland’s Consul General in Winnipeg, speaks to the enduring cultural ties between Iceland and Gimli during the Oct. 21 sister-city MOU signing ceremony
“This agreement is a testament to our shared sister-city history and a promise to the next generation,” said RM of Gimli Mayor Kevin Chudd, who chaired the special council meeting marking the occasion. “We are proud to stand with our sister-city partnership with Akureyri in reaffirming our commitment to community, culture and innovation.”
Akureyri Mayor Ásthildur Sturludóttir echoed those sentiments from across the Atlantic. “Akureyri is honoured to reaffirm our sister-city relationship with Gimli,” she said. “This agreement reflects our mutual respect and the enduring legacy of Icelandic heritage in Canada. We look forward to new opportunities in cultural exchange and municipal collaboration.”
The new MOU sets out a framework for cooperation in four main areas:
- Cultural exchange and heritage preservation, through joint exhibits, oral histories and artist residencies.
- Educational partnerships, including student and teacher exchanges, virtual classrooms and shared curriculum projects.
- Sustainable tourism and economic development, promoting responsible visitor experiences and small-business growth.
- Municipal innovation and digital collaboration, focusing on open-data sharing, service modernization and digital inclusion.
The half-hour ceremony opened with a land acknowledgment by Elder Ruth Christie, recognizing Treaty 1 Territory and the homeland of the Red River Métis. Master of ceremonies Tim Arnason guided the event, which brought together councillors Andy Damm, Thora Palson, Richard Petrowski and Kurt Reichert, along with CAO Valorie Unrau and administrative staff.
Arnason noted that Reykjavík was invited to join the MOU but must first secure approval from its executive council. “We are heartened by the strong interest and goodwill from Reykjavík,” he said. “In the meantime, we are proud to move forward with our friends in Akureyri, whose partnership marks a significant step in strengthening the cultural and historical ties that unite our communities.”
Reflections on heritage and renewal
Several speakers offered perspectives on the lasting significance of the Gimli–Akureyri connection.
Vilhjalmur Wiium, Iceland’s Consul General in Winnipeg, described the MOU as “a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between Iceland and Canada.” He said it honoured “the courage of those who journeyed across the Atlantic 150 years ago and celebrates the vibrant communities they helped build.”
Julianna Roberts, executive director of the New Iceland Heritage Museum, said the agreement would invigorate cultural programming on both sides of the ocean. “The museum is more than a building — it’s a living archive of resilience, migration and cultural pride,” she said. “This MOU opens the door to new exchanges: shared exhibits, collaborative storytelling and youth-led heritage projects that span the ocean.”
On the economic front, Tammy Axelsson highlighted how the pact can fuel tourism and small-business development. “Tourism is a powerful force for community vitality,” she said. “By investing in the tourism industry in Gimli, we’re creating sustainable opportunities for small businesses, cultural institutions and future generations to thrive.”
Councillor Thora Palson emphasized that municipal cooperation extends beyond heritage. “Innovation isn’t just about technology — it’s about how we use it to serve our communities better,” she said. “Whether it’s smart infrastructure, climate resilience or digital inclusion, we have so much to learn from each other. This partnership is a chance to build smarter, more connected communities across oceans and generations.”
A next generation connection
The ceremony also featured a youthful voice of optimism from Anna Palson, who spoke on behalf of local youth. “My family talks a lot about our Icelandic roots,” she said. “This agreement means that kids like me can learn more about Iceland, maybe even talk to other kids who live there. We can share stories, learn new things and make friends across the ocean.”
Her remarks drew warm applause from attendees, many of whom saw in her words a reflection of the partnership’s enduring purpose — to bridge history with hope.
Signing and symbolism
After the speeches, Arnason led the formal signing of the MOU, with mayors Chudd and Sturludóttir and Akureyri council chair Heimir Örn Árnason reading a joint statement pledging to “work together in the spirit of mutual respect, shared heritage and forward-looking cooperation.”
Chudd described the moment as both ceremonial and deeply personal. “This MOU honours our past, celebrates our present and builds a foundation for a future filled with opportunity, connection and shared purpose,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks and a tribute to the Walk to the Rock, the annual community tradition commemorating the 1875 landing of Icelandic settlers on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
Arnason recounted how the event began in 1975, when Connie Magnusson (née Benediktson), her mother Sigga Benediktson and aunt Disa Einarson walked from Gimli to the white rock monument near Willow Island to honour their ancestors’ arrival. “What began as a quiet, personal gesture grew into something much larger,” he said. “Over the years the Walk expanded to include families, children, friends and entire community gatherings.”
This year’s Walk, coinciding with the MOU signing and the 150th landing anniversary, carried extra meaning. “It’s a beautiful tribute to the courage and resilience of the Icelandic pioneers,” Arnason said. “Thank you, Connie, for finding a heartfelt way to keep us connected to our Icelandic roots, our families and our shared history.”
Before adjourning the special council meeting, Chudd thanked participants from both sides of the Atlantic and invited guests to stay for coffee and fellowship. “May this agreement be a beacon of collaboration and a tribute to the enduring spirit of our communities,” he said.
As guests mingled and signed the commemorative guest book, the symbolism of the day was clear — a bridge of friendship linking Gimli and Akureyri, strengthened by history and pointing firmly toward the future.
Readers may also wish to view coverage of the signing from Akureyri’s perspective. The Municipality of Akureyri has published an Icelandic-language story on its homepage at www.akureyri.is
