Keeping the snorri tradition going: an interview with 1999 alumna tanya hofforth

Tanya on Grímsey Island in 1999.

Anyone from the Edmonton area who’s done the Snorri Program in recent years has probably been in touch with Tanya Hofforth (née Hiebert), scholarship coordinator for the Icelandic Canadian Club of Edmonton. What they may not realize, however, is that not only is Tanya a Snorri Program alumna herself – she’s one of the original 1999 Snorris. We spoke with Tanya about her experience as a Snorri pioneer and the role that her heritage continues to play in her life all these years later. 

Answers have been edited for length and clarity. 

Tell us a bit about your Icelandic heritage. Was it a big part of your life growing up? 
I was born and raised in Langley, British Columbia. My grandpa was from a little Icelandic town in Saskatchewan called Tantallon, and I knew his family was from Iceland, but he didn’t know much about their story of immigrating to Canada. It wasn’t until I did the Snorri Program that I learned that story. 

How did you hear about the Snorri Program? 
When I graduated from high school and was getting ready for university, we discovered there was an Icelandic club in Vancouver that offered post-secondary scholarships. I applied and received one, and my mom joined the club. It was in one of the club’s newsletters that she read about a brand-new program for people of Icelandic descent. It seemed like a great opportunity to see Iceland and possibly meet family, so I applied and was one of the lucky 19 to be accepted. 

Heading into that summer, what were you expecting? How did the experience compare to those expectations? 
I remember just being excited to get to see Iceland and see where my relatives came from. I didn’t know I had any family still living there, so I wasn’t expecting to meet any relatives. My experience exceeded all of my expectations! We were the first group, and we only spent one week in Reykjavik at the start of the trip, but it was so great to see all of the sights there and learn a little bit of the language. I didn’t get to stay with my family members for the homestay, but I remember I got a family tree done at the library in Akureyri, and the couple I stayed with in Dalvík took it upon themselves to drive me around on the weekends to meet some of my family who still lived in the area!  
 
Do you remember what you found most surprising or strange about Iceland? 
I would have to say the landscape! When we arrived, I remember thinking I had never seen anything quite like it. It was like a different planet. I also remember seeing waterfalls everywhere I turned! As for the strangest thing, I’d say trying all of the “delicacies,” like fermented shark. 

What are your most vivid memories from the program? 
Two things really stand out. First, two other girls on the program were staying up north not too far from me, and we all really wanted to go to the Arctic Circle, so we arranged to take the ferry to Grímsey. It was amazing to be that far north – and that’s where I first saw and fell in love with puffins. 

Second was visiting the family homestead. I was volunteering at a bed and breakfast, and the local girls who worked there asked me what I really wanted to do or see. All I knew was that I wanted to see the family farm. My family was from the east, from a little farm in Mjóafjörður. So the girls decided to drive me all the way there! We followed a narrow dirt road down to the tiny village, where we happened to meet a man who had written a book about the history of the fjord. He ended up arranging for me to meet a relative who grew up there. After exploring the fjord and camping overnight in a field, we headed to the next town over and met Sesselja María. She was 95 years old at the time and didn’t speak English, so one of the girls stayed and interpreted for us. I was so surprised when Sesselja María took out a photo of my grandpa, grandma, mom, and aunt! That meeting with her changed my life. 

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Tanya, her husband Doug, and their kids Alyssa and Mark went on a sightseeing tour from Reykjavík to try to catch a glimpse of Tanya’s favorite Icelandic animal – puffins!

Have you kept in touch with your Icelandic relatives over the years? 
Yes! And keep in mind, my trip was way before social media, so for years all we had to stay in touch was email. I became even closer to Sesselja María and her family after the trip. She had introduced me to her granddaughter, Sessa, and her grandson, Ólafur, and I emailed with both of them. In the early 2000s, Ólafur came to study in Canada, and we met up at the INLNA Convention in Calgary!  

In 2019, my husband and I decided to take our kids on a family trip to Iceland. It was my first time back in Iceland since Snorri, and we stayed with Sessa and her family part of the time. Our kids are all around the same ages, and our two families grew even closer. To this day, my kids talk about wanting to go back to Iceland – not necessarily to see the sights but to hang out with their cousins! I loved getting to bring my family to Iceland, and being in charge myself instead of having a tour guide meant that I got to know the country a bit better. That trip really rekindled my love for everything Icelandic, and I hope we can get back again before another 20 years go by. 

Looking back on it now, what impact did that summer in Iceland have on your life afterwards?  
The Snorri Program changed my life. Going on the program, not knowing anyone, I had to learn to speak up more and be less introverted! I took more chances and was more open to change. As a result of my Snorri experience, my Icelandic heritage became an even bigger part of me and something I share with everyone I know. I’ve also made an effort to make sure my kids learn about their heritage. I’ve talked to them about Iceland and our relatives there since they were babies. Every Christmas, we talk about the jólasveinar and some of the foods, like vínarterta. My Icelandic relatives even sent my kids Icelandic sweaters when they were little. I would love it if my kids got to experience the Snorri Program someday. I will do my best to keep promoting it so it’s still around by the time it’s their turn to go. 
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Tell us about your involvement with the Icelandic club in Edmonton. How did you first get involved, and why do you feel it’s important for Snorri alumni to be active in their local clubs?
I moved to Edmonton from British Columbia in 2004 and joined the Icelandic club right away. Earlier that year, I had submitted a photo for a Snorri-themed calendar the INLNA was putting together. I wanted to buy a few more copies for family members, so I contacted the club, and the person I talked to was Walter Sopher. Anyone in the Edmonton club knows Walter! He was a force to be reckoned with. When I went to pick up the calendars, he mentioned the club needed a new secretary and asked me to come to their next meeting to check it out. Well, I went, and he introduced me as the new secretary, so I couldn’t say no! I was secretary for a few years, then switched to focusing on Snorri Program grants and post-secondary bursaries. It’s so rewarding helping keep the Snorri tradition going! 

This article is featured in the upcoming publication The Snorri Saga: Moments and Memories from Over 25 Years of the Snorri Programs.​

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