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Icelandic, Settlement

The original Icelandic settlers in Alberta did not arrive directly from Iceland, but from the United States. The move to Alberta was actually the third attempt at settlement by these people, after having originally settled in Wisconsin or Manitoba, before moving to North Dakota. But as the settlement population continued to grow, and farming conditions
worsened, the settlers were willing to listen as scout Sigurdur J. Bjornson described the land in the park belt area of what was to become the province of Alberta. Not only was the soil awesome for farming, he asserted, but there was plenty of fish and water available, as well as food for livestock. Sweet! The journey was long and difficult, but finally, on 27 June, 1888, the pioneers loaded their luggage and wagons across the flooded Red Deer River. In 1889, more families arrived in from North Dakota. The community at Markerville, near Red Deer, was to survive and thrive because of the distinctive spirit in which the Icelandic people met the challenges of the Canadian west.

To learn more about other cultural groups that settled in Alberta click here.

Icelandic float in parade

Icelandic float in parade

Aerial view of Markerville

Aerial view of Markerville