Gaelic Nova Scotia Month Celebrates Living Language, Culture
Lewis MacKinnon, the Province’s Executive Director of Gaelic Affairs (left), Gaelic Affairs Minister Dave Ritcey (centre) and John Devine, Head of Office, Scottish Government Office in Canada, at the launch of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month at Province House in Halifax on April 30. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
During the month of May, Nova Scotia is honouring its rich Gaelic heritage through the annual celebration of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month.
“Our theme this year – Gaelic Lives in Nova Scotia – reminds us that Gaelic connects us to our history and shapes who we are today,” said Gaelic Affairs Minister Dave Ritcey, also the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “This month is a chance for all Nova Scotians to discover or reconnect with the language-based culture and identity of the Gaels and to celebrate their lasting contributions to our province.”
Nova Scotia’s connection to Gaelic language and culture dates back to the18th and 19th centuries, when Gaelic-speaking settlers from the Scottish Highlands made their home here. Today, a quarter of Nova Scotians are descendants of these Gaels, and many of them continue to nurture this heritage, sharing it in communities through song and dance, storytelling, food culture and spirituality.
Events celebrating Gaelic Nova Scotia Month are planned in communities across the province. Nova Scotians are invited to see the enduring role Gaelic plays in the province and to take part in protecting and maintaining it for present and future generations. People are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #GaelicLivesInNovaScotia.
Quotes:
“As a young Gael in the province, it’s exciting to see our Gaelic language, culture and identity grow. This year’s theme shows how Nova Scotia is unique and special due to its Gaelic language and cultural presence.”
— Kate Awen, Halifax Regional Municipality
Quick Facts:
- an estimated 50,000 Gaels immigrated to Nova Scotia from the Scottish Highlands and islands between 1773 and 1855
- about 270,000 Nova Scotians are descendants of Gaelic settlers
- today, there are an estimated 2,000 Gaelic speakers in the province
Additional Resources:
Gaelic Nova Scotia Month events calendar: https://www.gaelic.ca/
Gaelic Nova Scotia – A Resource Guide: https://gaelic.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/inline/documents/gaelic-nova-scotia-a-resource-guide.pdf
Gaelic resources at the Nova Scotia Archives: https://archives.novascotia.ca/gaelic
Classroom resources: https://www.gaelic.ca/m%C3%ACos-nan-g%C3%A0idheal-classroom-resources
Nova Scotia Gaelic Affairs:
- website: https://gaelic.novascotia.ca
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gaelicns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaelicaffairs
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaelicaffairs/
- X: https://x.com/ns_gaelic