Icelandic Hecla

The first Icelandic emigrants arrived in Manitoba in 1875 and settled along the shores of Lake Winnipeg in an area commonly referred to as "New Iceland." In 1876, the second group of Icelandic settlers arrived and called Hecla Island home, building it into a prosperous community for many years. 

Hecla Island remains one of the most beautiful areas in Manitoba and an important part of Icelandic history. 

Learn about the island fishing industry and medical services (including midwives and homeopathic medicine). Explore the Hecla Island Heritage Home Museum, which depicts the lifestyle of an Icelandic family from the 1920's and 1940's and features important Icelandic artifacts. Hear the story behind Kirkjubol Cemetery, a site originally intended to be a church, which later became a cemetery following the smallpox epidemic. 

Thank you to Maxine Ingalls for leading this project. 
#icelandicatheart

Celebrate the 2021 Icelandic Festival of Manitoba - Íslendingadagurinn, in-person and online. Visit icelandicfestival.com for more information

© Icelandic Festival of Manitoba 2021