Kjersten Gaminek

Kjersten Gaminek is a Western Icelander born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since first visiting Iceland as a 17-year-old in 2015, she has felt drawn to learning more about her Icelandic heritage. She participated in the Snorri Program in 2019 and is the current Snorri Alumni Association President. She was also chosen to participate in the Snorri Alumni Internship in summer 2020, but wasn’t able to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since returning home from the Snorri Program, Kjersten has been interested in learning more about her ancestors and heritage. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, she used social media to find and connect with as many of her relatives as she could. In January 2021, she was asked to share about her Snorri experience at Samtal Hour, which then led to her joining the Icelandic Roots volunteer team. Kjersten volunteers on the social media team and serves as a database editor.

Kjersten works as a baker and piano teacher and is in training to become a Medical Transcriptionist. She recently graduated from MC College with a diploma in Makeup Artistry, and she’s also slowly working toward a degree in Psychology. She’s excited to take part in the Alumni Internship when it’s safe and hopes to travel to Iceland soon.