New Study to Assess Health of Gaelic Culture

The health of Gaelic language and cultural expression will be the subject of a new provincial study supported through the Department of Tourism and Culture. The request for proposals is being issued today on the recommendation of a committee of Gaelic cultural organizations and provincial representatives.

"For a number of years, there has been a concern in the Gaelic community in Nova Scotia that Gaelic language and cultural expression is in a critical state," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "Results of the study will help Nova Scotia develop a strategy for Gaelic language and cultural expression."

The study will assess the economic, cultural and social significance of the Gaelic language and cultural expression in Nova Scotia. It will serve as a benchmark for the current status of Gaelic culture in Nova Scotia.

"This is a significant step forward for Nova Scotia's Gaelic community because it recognizes that Gaelic language and cultural expression impact the social, economic and cultural life of the province," said Lewis MacKinnon, president of the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia. "The study's results will point the way to a strengthened presence of Gaelic culture."

Gaelic culture is most strongly focused in rural areas of the province where tourism is a major industry. From this perspective, the study also will assess the tourism potential of Gaelic culture as an economic generator.

An advisory committee of representatives the Gaelic community and government will be formed to oversee the process of consultant selection, to review the completed study and to recommend next steps. Details on the request for proposals can be found at: www.gov.ns.ca/finance/tour .