May 31, 2004
Provincial Strategy for Gaelic Launched
Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage

A strategy to preserve and advance Nova Scotia's Gaelic heritage was released today, May 31, at Rankin Memorial High School in Iona.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald joined the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, representatives from the province's Gaelic community and the Scottish organization, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to officially release Leasachadh agus Gléidheadh na Gàidhlig an Albainn Nuaidh (Developing and Preserving Gaelic in Nova Scotia: A Strategy for Community Based Initiatives).

"This strategy is a 20-year vision for Gaelic in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacDonald. "It is a statement of how the Gaelic language and culture has survived in Nova Scotia. It is a plan to ensure the survival and growth of Gaelic in this province." Mr. MacDonald also announced today that the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage will contribute $100,000 over the next year to enhance economic growth within the Gaelic community and to develop a five-year business and implementation plan for the Gaelic strategy.

The Gaelic strategy is the result of three years of co-operative development by the Gaelic Development Steering Committee and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. It reflects widespread community input, mostly gathered at forums held throughout the province in November 2002. The strategy is a detailed plan that acknowledges the valuable contribution that Gaelic language and culture makes to Nova Scotian society, as well as its economic impact. The strategy summarizes the current situation, sets a framework for advancement and identifies the role of the provincial government as a critical partner in the process of revitalizing the Gaelic language and culture and expanding the Gaelic economy.

"It is no secret that the language is in a perilous state, but it is much more than just words that are being lost," said Hector MacNeil, chair of the Gaelic Development Steering Committee. "Linguistic research shows there is a tendency for economic decline in areas that undergo language repression and loss. It is our intention that, with the realization of the objectives outlined in this strategy document, we will see a revitalized Gaelic community. In this way, all Nova Scotians will continue to benefit from the Gaelic presence in this province."

The Gaelic strategy identifies six key areas of development: leadership and empowerment; language education; arts and culture; community initiatives; media and promotion; government and legal status. The Gaelic Council, with the continued co-operation of community and government, will build a series of five-year action plans around each of these topics. The first drafts of these plans will be presented at community forums in November 2004.

Rankin Memorial High School student Emily Redden thanked the Gaelic Development Steering Committee members for their initiative and perseverance, as well as the department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, and asked that the work begin with Cape Breton's youth in mind.

"Gaelic is the language of our heritage, tradition, family and community history," said Ms. Redden. "If Gaelic is lost to future generations, so will the continuity of knowledge that informs us on who we are and where we've been. We will become cultural orphans."

International language issues expert Rob Dunbar arrived from Scotland to attend the event. Mr. Dunbar, who is widely published and is a senior non-resident research associate of the European Centre for Minority Issues in Flensburg, Germany, represented

Bòrd na Gàidhlig -- a non-departmental public body established by the Scottish Executive to oversee Gaelic development in Scotland.

He conveyed the organization's congratulations and noted that Nova Scotia's Gaelic culture is a unique, precious and irreplaceable resource that, in addition to its role at home, has great importance to Scottish Gaels and to Scotland in general.

Leasachadh agus Gléidheadh na Gàidhlig an Albainn Nuaidh (Developing and Preserving Gaelic in Nova Scotia: A Strategy for Community Based Initiatives) is available on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/culture/culture_gaelic.asp . For more information, contact the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, P.O. Box 51011, RPO Rockingham Ridge, Halifax, N.S., B3M 4R8.

For Immediate Release – May 17, 2004
Public Invited to Gaelic Announcement

On the final day of Gaelic Awareness Month, the Right Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, will make an important announcement at Rankin Memorial Consolidated in Iona, Victoria County. This public press conference begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 31^st.

On this significant occasion for Nova Scotia's cultural heritage, Minster MacDonald will announce the document release of Leasachadh agus Gléidheadh na Gàidhlig an Albainn Nuaidh (Developing and Preserving Gaelic in Nova Scotia: A Strategy for Community Based Initiatives).

The Gaelic Strategy is the result of three years of co-operative development between the Gaelic Development Steering Committee and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, which included public consultations throughout the province.

The Strategy is a detailed plan for the preservation and advancement of Nova Scotia's Gaelic heritage. It acknowledges the valuable contribution that Gaelic language and culture makes to Nova Scotian society and its economic resources. Comhairle na Gàidhlig, Alba Nuadh (Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia) and the Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage invites the public to attend this milestone announcement on May 31^st at 10 a.m. at Rankin Memorial Consolidated.

For more information, visit www.gaelic.ca or contact the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, © The Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia - Comhairle na Gáidhlig | All Rights Reserved<BR>P.O. Box 51011, RPO Rockingham Ridge, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3M 4R8 Email: council@gaelic.ca

NOTE: This announcement was covered extensively in international, national and regional news media. Seven reporters were on-site, with many others requesting pre- and post-interviews. Following is a list of SOME of the coverage.

• BBC, interview with Jeff MacDonald, week of May 24^th
• Shunpiking, May 16-31 edition
• The Cape Breton Post, Front Page, May 31^st
• The Chronicle Herald, Front Page, May 31^st
• Globe and Mail, May 31^st
• The Toronto Sun, May 31^st
• The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, May 31^st
• Times and Transcript (Moncton), May 31^st
• The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton), May 31^st
• Cape Breton Radio (CJCB, CHER, K94), top of the news, May 31^st, all day
• Cape Breton Radio, Question of the Day, ‘Can Gaelic Be Saved?, May 31^st, response: 93% said yes
• CBC Radio, top of the news, May 31^st, all day
• CBC Radio, Information Morning, Sydney, May 31^st, interview with Rob Dunbar
• CBC Radio, Maritime Noon, interview with Mary Jane Lamond
• CBC Radio, Mainstreet, Sydney, tape from announcement
• CBC Radio, Canada at Five, voice report in news
• CBC Radio, Arts Report, voice report and link on website
• CIGO, top of the news, May 31^st
• BBC, interview with Rob Dunbar
• ATV, report on evening news, posted on CTV.ca
• Global, report on evening news
• Support from Councilor Andrew Anderson, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, issued as release and posted on internet
• BBC Gaelic, Interview with Rob Dunbar and Jim Watson, ran nationally on their morning news show on June 1^st
• RCI (French CBC), feature piece on Gaelic, ran twice on June 1^st, 12:30 and 6pm news
• Chronicle Herald Daily Poll, June 1^st, “Is it a good idea for the province to fund programs which encourage more Nova Scotians to learn Gaelic?”, response: 2880 votes, 67% said yes
• Chronicle Herald, June 1^st, cartoon, “Perhaps if we started teaching the math curriculum in Gaelic…”
• National Post, June 1^st
• Halifax Daily News, June 1^st
• The Chronicle Herald, details of $100,000, June 3^rd
• CJFX, feature interview with Lewis MacKinnon, June 6^th
• Chronicle Herald, Three Letters to the Editor, June 7^th
• Cothrom (Gaelic Learners Publication based in Scotland), article by Jim Watson, Spring 2004
• Am Braighe, Summer 2004
• Shunpiking, Summer 2004

 Notices were also posted on the following websites:

• Canadian Embassy, Washington DC
• Central Cape Breton
• Engine 101 (Atlantic Canada)
• Gaelic College
• International Federation of Arts Council and Culture Agencies (Australia)
• News 1130 (Vancouver)
• NewsZoom
• Nova Scotia Highland Village
• NovaServe (Southwest NS)
• Save Gaelic
• StarCast (Bell Media)
• Wawawiwa.com (News section under Ancestors)
• Wren’s Nest

Congratulations/Expressions of Support and Interest received from:

• Ailig A Dòmhnallach (Alex A MacDonald), Neach-gairm (Convener), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
• Alasdair MacGhillEathain (Alasdair MacLean)
• Alasdair.MacCaluim, Scottish Parliament
• Andrew R Nicoll, Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh
• Arthur Cormack, Director, Féisan nan Gàidheal
• Caoimhín Ó Donnaíle, Sabhal Mór Ostaig
• Councilor Andrew Anderson, Chairman of Education, Culture and Sport Service of the Highland Council in Scotland
• Diarmaid Breathnach, Chief Executive, Iomairt Cholm Cille
• Domhnall MacLeoid, Fear-cathrach, Comunn Gaidhlig Australia (Gaelic Society of Australia)
• Donald Martin, Chief Executive, The Gaelic Council of Scotland
• Donalda MacKinnon, Ceannard BBC Craoladh nan Gàidheal/Head of Gaelic, Head of CBBC Scotland
• Dr Wilson McLeod, Ceiltis agus Eòlas na h-Alba (Celtic and Scottish Studies), Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann (University of Edinburgh)
• Duncan MacLeod, Royal National Mod, Scotland and An Comunn Gaidhealach
• Friends of Scotland at the Scottish Executive, Glasgow
• Gillian Munro, neach teagaisg, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
• Graham Watson
• Hamish Fraser, Chairman Gaelic Select Committee, Highland Council 
• Jo MacDonald, Executive producer, BBC Gaelic Radio
• John Alick Macpherson, Gaelic Media Service
• John Macdonald, CEO, Highlands and Islands
• Mary Jess MacDonald, Strait Regional School Board
• Morag Anna NicLeoid, Oifigear Leasachaidh Gaidhlig, Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd (Highland Council)
• Nicola NicAoidh, Rùnaire a' Stiùiriche/PA to Director, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
• Norman Gillis, Director of Education Sabhal Mór Ostaig
• Pat Curran
• Peter Chapman, Team of An Cùrsa Inntrigidh, Distance learning Gaelic course run by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
• Rita Hunter, Fèis Rois Manager
• Sarah Gundry, Oifigear Fiosrachaidh Gàidhlig (Gaelic Information Officer), Pàrlamaid na h-Alba (The Scottish Parliament)
• Simon MacKenzie, Director for Tosg, National Gaelic Theatre
• Susan Bell, Neach-clèireachd Foghlaim (Academic Assistant), Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

For Immediate Release – May 2004
Endangered Languages Disappearing Faster than Endangered Species:
Celebrating Gaelic Awareness Month is a Preservation Exercise

In the last 500 years, roughly 4.5 per cent of the world’s recorded languages disappeared, compared with less than 2 per cent of the birds and mammals on earth. Linguists estimate there are over 6,000 living languages remaining today, but more than 350 tongues have fewer than 50 speakers.

Scottish Gaelic has not yet fallen to such low numbers, but proponents of the language are struggling to maintain that status. In Nova Scotia, approximately 80,000 people spoke Scottish Gaelic at the turn of the 20^th century. As we enter the 21^st century, fewer than 1,000 speakers reside here. Despite this drop in fluent speakers, the consciousness of the Gaelic community remains incredibly strong; Gaelic continues to be the medium of expression of a collective and is being supported and protected as such.

One of the many efforts to promote the language is Gaelic Awareness Month. This initiative began in Nova Scotia and is now observed in many communities throughout North America, beginning on the Feast Day of Bealltainn on May 1^st.

Since 1996, Nova Scotia has recognized May as Gaelic Awareness Month, with numerous MLAs noting its importance in the Legislature each year, often receiving special permission to present resolutions in Gaelic. In his address this year, the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Rodney MacDonald, noted Gaelic activities in the province generate more than $23 million annually in direct revenues. He also reinforced the government’s commitment to preserving and presenting the Gaelic language and culture for the benefit of all Nova Scotians and visitors, as well as his department’s continuing efforts to foster new links between the shared Gaelic cultures of Nova Scotia and the Highland Council of Scotland.

“A tremendous opportunity to recognize the inherent value of linguistic and cultural inheritances in this province lies before us,” says Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia co-president, Lewis MacKinnon. The impact of the Gaelic community, and the Gaelic Awareness Month initiative, can be seen in the many university lectures, community concerts, and language and song workshops taking place throughout the province to celebrate Gaelic Awareness Month. (An itinerary of selected events is attached.)

For more information, visit www.gaelic.ca or contact the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia,P.O. Box 51011, RPO Rockingham Ridge, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3M 4R8 Email: council@gaelic.ca