Leif Norman photographer

“Iceland celebrates its birthday today, and the party extends all the way to Winnipeg.

It’s been 71 years since Iceland won full independence from Denmark, and Manitobans of Icelandic descent will gather at the Jón Sigurdsson statue on the legislature grounds to mark the occasion with their annual national day ceremony. This year’s celebration also pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote in Iceland (its national women’s rights day is June 19).

Eygló Hardardóttir, Icelandic minister of social affairs and housing with responsibility for gender equity, will be on hand and said Tuesday there is a shared story between her nation and Manitoba that needs to be honoured.”

from http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/iceland-independence-manitoban-cheer-307799791.html

By: Aidan Geary

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Peter Bjornson was elected in the June 2003 general election, re-elected in 2007, and again in 2011. He was appointed the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth by Premier Gary Doer in 2003 and re-appointed after the 2007 election. In November 2009, he became Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade under Premier Greg Selinger. On October 18, 2013, he was appointed Minister of Housing and Community Development. On November 3, 2014, he was appointed Minister of Education and Advanced Learning. He stepped down from cabinet on April 29, 2015.” from http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/biography?constituency=Gimli&page=bio