Kerrine Wilson 2024-2025 Fjallkona

Kerrine Wilson has strong roots in the New Iceland community, and represents both our rural and urban Icelandic communities. Her Amma was a founding member of the IODE, of which both her mother and her are still active members. In fact, her nomination comes from two of our very own Fjallkonur and IODE members.

She has been involved with the Icelandic Festival since she was ten years old, and continues to perform with the festival and many other events within the Icelandic community and beyond. Kerrine holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Manitoba and an Associate (ARCT) and Licentiate (LRCM) from the Western Board of Music.

Kerrine was born in Winnipeg and has adjudicated music festivals throughout Canada. She has served as President of the Manitoba registered Music Teachers, the Royal College of Organists, Wednesday Morning Musicals and Junior Musical Clubs. She has served as a member of the Board of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the University of Winnipeg Senate and the Winnipeg Music and Arts Festival. She has served as organist and Music Director for a number of churches in Winnipeg.

She has provided attire for and accompanied the Icelandic Festival Fashion Show for many years. She performs annually and her family members have been guests and musicians – always received with admiration and appreciation. She leads The Solskrikjan Choir who perform at many special Icelandic occasions.

She is the mother to three daughters, and Amma of seven grandchildren. She is proud to follow in her mother’s footsteps as Fjallkona and will do so with honour.

Angelica Castellaneta

Angelica was born in Taranto, Italy, where she grew up soaking in the sun and swimming in the sea. On her first trip to Canada, in the summer of 2004, she attended her first Islendingadagurinn where her great grandmother, Thelma Wilson, was Fjallkona. She recalls the memory fondly, impressed by the formal Icelandic costume and seeing her great-grandmother wave from her elevated throne.

A graduate of the Professional Communication program at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Angelica has always been fascinated by the written word and enjoys expressing herself creatively. Following her degree, she pursued a career in business and marketing.

Angelica operated an online business for a couple of years, co-founded a mental health start-up, and recently became the manager of a coworking space in Winnipeg. She is delighted to work alongside other likeminded entrepreneurial individuals and share her passion through the mentorship of her team. Although Angelica has yet to visit Iceland, she is planning to one day make it her destination and explore her roots.

For now, she is thrilled to accompany her aunt Kerrine Wilson, the 100th Fjallkona, and share in the honour with her cousin, Paige Morrow.

Anna Palson 

Anna Palson is the daughter of Kevin & Thora Palson. Her Amma and Afi are Vincent Palson and Francine & Doug Albertson, Svava Simundsson and Dr. Melvin McInnis. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Hrund Skulason who was the first librarian of the University of Manitoba’s Icelandic Library collection.

Anna is going into Grade 5 at Dr. George Johnson Middle School this fall. Anna has been an enthusiastic volunteer for the Icelandic Festival since she was four.

Anna wishes everyone a happy 135th Íslendingadagurinn!

2020

• Ainsley Gretchen
• Hailey Jones

2017

• Rhys John Welham
• Carly Constance Welham

2004

• Thelma Bjork Wilson
• Anjolene Rose Kathryn Hunt

2001

• Gillian Robinson
• Anna Davidson

1998

• Reyna Lois Jenkyns
• Victoria Sparks

1995

• Erin Gudmundson
• Lauren Palsson

1992

• Fern Alexandra Cronshaw
• Jenna Lynn Rempel

1989

• Sandra Dorothy McEwen
• Michelle Karen Wilcox

1986

• Joanne Lynn Lindal
• Marlene Gladys McGill

1983

• Bonnie Martin
• Nielle Johnson

1980

• Not available at this time.

1977

• Cheryl Riglin
• Jona Riglin

1974

• Thora Jakobson
• Irene Jakobson

1971

• Not available at this time.