News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Throughout the year Williams Lake residents are treated to cultural delights, thanks to the Sons of Norway. The Trollsons, a performing group that entertains and enchants groups of all ages, is promoted by the Sons of Norway. The group also celebrates historical events throughout the year with good food, good fun and a way to keep Norwegian culture and history alive and well.

(Photo: Val Biffert is the Vice President of the Sons of Norway in Williams Lake and the product of both Norwegian and Nuxalk culture and traditions.)

Sons of Norway originated in the US to help Norwegian immigrants gather together and maintain their language and culture, as well as borrow and lend money. Today it’s a fraternal, social organization and an insurance organization, and in Canada, mainly in BC and Alberta.

There is a Norwegian group in Toronto that is affiliated with the Sons of Norway and a Norwegian ambassador in Vancouver. ‘Viking’ magazine, which touches on three continents, has won multiple awards, encompassing all Scandinavian countries.

Local Sons of Norway Vice President Val Biffert, born in Bella Coola and living in Williams Lake said that she saw an advertisement for Sons of Norway in the newspaper, with an invitation to come to a presentation and see a video. Intrigued, she immediately joined.

“Sons of Norway groups started in both Williams Lake and in Bella Coola,” she explained, adding that her family history comes direct from Norway. “My great grandfather, Mathius Hammer came from Norway to Minnesota, and then travelled to Bella Coola with Reverend Saugstad. He was the youngest settler to receive a parcel of land from the BC Government.”

The tradition of community service and involvement was carried down through her grandfather Albert Hammer, a newspaper editor, and her father Eric Hammer. “In my family, if you didn’t volunteer in your community, you’d better move along: community service was a very high priority,” she said.

“Until I was eight years old, Bella Coola was accessible only by boat. When the boat came in, everybody got dressed up and went down to meet it.

Growing up in our community, one of the most memorable things for me were the community dances at Lobelco Hall: learning to do old-time waltzing with an elderly Norwegian guy half my size.

“The food was also memorable. Norwegian food is excellent---there are many world-renowned chefs from Norway. We loved preparing and cooking for events and get-togethers: pastries and meat dishes and breads,” she continued.

About five years ago Val went to Minneapolis, Minnesota for Sons of Norway leadership training. “It’s a very rewarding job, and has given me the chance to make great contacts and wonderful new friends,” she explained. 

The Sons of Norway in Williams Lake provides an annual bursary for a high school graduate and also promote the Trollsons—a performing group that illustrates the significance of trolls in Norwegian history. The Trollsons, which delights audiences of all ages with whimsical and educational performances, were featured at the Children’s Festival, at the Seniors Village and at many other locations and events.

(Photo by Jim Fraser: ‘The Trollsons’ entertain residents at the Seniors Village)

“We also go into schools and do presentations on Norwegian history, and take along food to share with the students. We do a ‘Julefest’ every Christmas---this year it will be a fundraiser party held at TRU,” she stated. “We enjoyed having a Norwegian film crew who travelled here to make Cariboo vignettes that were shown in Norway during the Olympics.” 

Sons of Norway also celebrate May 17, commemorating the signing of the Norwegian Constitution, which is just over 100 years old. “Norway is one of only two countries in the world that got its independence without war. We also celebrate the longest day of the year, in June. It’s called ‘Summer Fest’ and people celebrate it around the world,” she said.

Another important aspect of the Sons of Norway is the connection with First Nations groups. Val said that there was always a lot of intermarriage between First Nations groups and Norwegians, and that she grew up with a strong relationship between Norwegians and the Nuxalk Nation. 

“You don’t have to be a Norwegian to belong to the Sons of Norway---sometimes you can be Norwegian by osmosis,” she said. “Norwegians went everywhere----they were Vikings.”

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