Gaelic Nova Scotia Month kicks off
HALIFAX — Gaelic Nova Scotia Month was officially launched on Wednesday.
For people living in Cape Breton and the eastern mainland 125 years ago, every day was Gaelic day and part of recurring Gaelic months.
In the late 1800s, it is estimated that there may have been up to 100,000 Gaelic speakers in Nova Scotia, according to the Gaelic Nova Scotia resource guide.
A 1901 Canada Census figures documented 50,000 Gaels who were willing to claim Gaelic as their mother tongue but scholarly estimates during that period pointed to the likelihood of a much higher number of Gaelic speakers throughout Cape Breton Island and in Antigonish and Guysborough counties.
Mios nan Gaidheal, Gaelic Nova Scotia Month, is a time to celebrate and create awareness of the history, culture, language, contributions and achievements of Gaels across the province, the Mios nan Gaidheal planning committee said in a news release.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Gaelic month and the theme is Air Adhard Le Cheile or Forward Together.
The theme celebrates the togetherness of the Gaelic communities and resilience found in Gaels throughout history. It also honours the togetherness found in all Nova Scotians, particularly over the past 14 months of the COVID pandemic.
The virtual launch took place on Wednesday morning and can be viewed through the Gaelic Affairs Facebook page at https://www.face book.com/gaelicaffairs.
There are several online events planned that that can be found by visiting Google Calendar.
An introduction to the Gaels, a half-day workshop with Lewis MacKinnon, executive director of Gaelic Affairs for the province, will be offered today at 1 p.m. The workshop will raise awareness, understanding and appreciation of Nova Scotia Gaels and their history, language, culture, tradition, identity and communities.
Everyone is welcome. You do not have to speak or understand Gaelic to attend this presentation. Space is limited to 40 participants. To reserve a space in this session and receive the Zoom link, email Kelly.Schlay@novascotia.ca.
An estimated 50,000 Gaels immigrated to Nova Scotia from the highlands and islands of Scotland between 1773 and 1855. They settled in Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties, and in all the counties of Cape Breton.
Although the Gaels were discriminated against for generations because of their Gaelic language and culture, many Nova Scotia Gaels persevered in maintaining that language, culture and identity, the resource guide says.
Historically, Gaels settled throughout most regions of Canada.
Today, Nova Scotia is the only region outside Europe where Gaelic language, culture and identity continue to be passed down through the generations, and where Gaelic is spoken as a community language.
One in three Nova Scotians have Gaelic heritage. Gaelic language, music and oral traditions permeate Nova Scotia’s culture and have had a significant effect on the province’s society and economy.
Nova Scotia, the Latin name for New Scotland, got its name in 1621 when Sir William Alexander, of Menstrie, Scotland, arrived to establish a permanent settlement in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq. Mi’kma’ki was territory to which both France and England laid claim.