BOOST FOR GAELIC IN CANADA

- Rapport -

The Office of Gaelic Affairs in Nova Scotia has appointed a permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in an attempt to revive the language that was once the third most widely spoken in Canada, after English and French. The position of Gaelic Language Officer will go to Lewis MacKinnon, who was appointed by the Deputy

Cathal Ó Luain pour Celtic League le 28/06/07 14:59

The Office of Gaelic Affairs in Nova Scotia has appointed a permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in an attempt to revive the language that was once the third most widely spoken in Canada, after English and French.

The position of Gaelic Language Officer will go to Lewis MacKinnon, who was appointed by the Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia Angus MacIsaac on the 18 th June. Despite immediate controversy surrounding MacKinnon's appointment - MacKinnon is a friend of the Nova Scotia Premier, Rodney MacDonald – MacKinnon said that his appointment had nothing to do with politics.

MacKinnon, who is a self taught Gaelic speaker, is determined to raise awareness of the Gaelic language and culture in the Nova Scotia province. Already having served as acting CEO since December 2006, MacKinnon has already made attempts to raise awareness of the language through a poster campaign and in supporting the efforts of the Comhairle na Gàidhlig/Gaelic Language Council to teach Gaelic through immersion programmes in the province.

Speaking after his appointment Lewis MacKinnon said

"This is an exciting and invigorating time for the Gaelic language and Gaelic communities in our province…. The work ahead is significant not only in terms of its challenges and scope, but also in terms of its importance to Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians."

The Office of Gaelic Affairs has the responsibility for developing a greater awareness and appreciation for Gaelic language and culture, consult with communities on ongoing community-based Gaelic language programs and the development of a Gaelic-language plan and policy directions for the province.

The Fuadaich nan Gàidheal ( Scottish Highland Clearances) brought the first permanent Gaelic speaking settlers to Nova Scotia from Scotland in 1762 and it is estimated that 50 000 Gaelic settlers immigrated to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton between 1815 and 1870. T he last official census shows that there is now less than 1000 native speakers of Gaelic in Nova Scotia and it is no longer a speech community language. However, traces of the language and pockets of speakers are relatively commonplace on Cape Breton , and especially in traditional strongholds like Christmas Island, The North Shore, and Baddeck.

The Celtic League will be writing to Lewis MacKinnon to find out how as an organisation we can assist in the revival of the Gaelic language in Nova Scotia, with the aim of reviving further contact with members of the Gaelic language movement there.

Comhairle na Gàidhlig/Gaelic Language Council of Nova Scotia: (voir le site)

Government of Nova Scotia site: (voir le site)

Lewis MacKinnon 1-888-842-3542 Mobile: 902-237-0295 E-mail: mackinle [at] ...

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

24/05/07

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues. TEL (UK) 01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609 (voir le site)

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