Winter 2009

Volume 1, Issue 1 Misneach

Ràitheachan Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig, Alba Nuadh

A quarterly publication of the Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs

“Bun is Bàrr”: Dithisd air an Taghadh

do Phrógram Tàilleabhachd

An Geamhradh

Leabhar 1, Àireamh 1

“Bun is Bàrr”: Two Apprentices Begin Gaelic

Mentoring Program

Tha Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig air pròiseact-iùil a chur air bhog, fo’n ainm Bun is Bàrr, an aon ghnothach cothrom a thoirt do luchd-ionnsachaidh adhartach na Gàidhlig an cuid chainnt a mheudachadh gu inbhe àird, leis a bhith ga cleachdadh ann a’suidheachadh nàdarra sòisealta, neach is neach, le fileantaich is seanchaidhean.

Chaidh Bun is Bàrr a leasachadh le OIG ann a’co-chomhairle le Seumas Watson, An Rids, Ceap Breatainn a bhios na phrìomh fhear-chomhairle air a’phrógram. Tharraing a’ ghairm a chaidh a-mach’s an Dùbhlachd deich iarrtais ghasda agus beachdan taiceil bho’n choimhearsnachd. Ghabh slatan-tomhais an taghaidh a-steach comas còmhraidh’s a’Ghàidhlig, togradh a thaobh Gàidhlig ’ionnsachadh agus cuideachd, rùn Gàidhlig a theagasg, no Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn gu h-ealamh’s an teaghlach agus anns a’choimhearsnachd, ann an Albainn Nuaidh fhéin. Tha an dithisd a chaidh an taghadh, Sé NicMhaolain á Dartmouth agus Carmen NicArtair, Antigonish, a’freagairt fìor-mhath nan slatan-tomhais sin.

Bha Sé làn aoibhneis nuair a chual’ i gun deach a taghadh. “Tha mi cinnteach gun dèan am prógram feum mór dhomh,” thuirt i. “Tha mi dhen bheachd gur i a’Ghàidhlig mo phrìomh chànain, ged nach robh i agam bho’n ghlùin. ‘S i cànain mo chridhe’s mo dhualchais.”

Thòisich Sé ag obair air a’Ghàidhlig a thogail ann a’2007 leis a bhith a’dol gu clasaichean bogaidh coimhearsnachd ann a’Halafacs. Bho’n uair sin, tha i air a bhith a’gabhail a h-uile cothrom a b’urrainn dhi, nam measg cùrsa Acadamaidh Gàidhlig an Atlantaig (AGA) air-loidhne; bidh i trang le gnothaichean

Gàidhlig’s gu h-àraidh a’teagasg chlasaichean bogaidh do luchd-tòiseachaidh le Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àird-Bhaile; ‘s an earrach 2008, chuir i

r’ a’leantainn air d.8

The Office of Gaelic Affairs has launched a pilot of a mentoring program, Bun is Bàrr (root and branch). It is designed to instill higher level Gaelic skills in advanced Gaelic learners through one-on-one mentoring and social interaction with fluent speakers and tradition bearers.

Bun is Bàrr was developed by the Office of Gaelic Affairs in consultation with Jim Watson, Queensville, who will be the primary mentor for the pilot program. A call for expressions of interest to be an apprentice was circulated in December, which attracted ten excellent applicant letters and several more supportive phone calls, emails and inquiries about the pilot program.

Criteria for selection of the apprentices included Gaelic conversational ability and high self-motivation with regard to learning Gaelic. Preference was given to those who plan to teach Gaelic or be active speakers of Gaelic in their family and community (in Nova Scotia).

Two apprentices chosen for the initial program were Shay MacMullin, Dartmouth and Carmen MacArthur, Antigonish, both active learners who are already passing on the language in their home and community.

“I am thrilled to be part of this program and know I will get a lot out of it” said Shay. “I feel as though Gàidhlig was my first language. I just didn’t get it in the beginning. It is the language of my heart and my heritage.”

Shay began seriously working on her Gaelic in 2007 when she started Total Immersion Plus (T.I.P.) classes in Halifax. Since then she has attended several learning opportunities in the province and is enrolled in an on-line course with

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Carmen MacArthur

Shay MacMullin

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“Our commitments and contributions to Gaelic culture in our lifetime hold the promise of many tangible and intangible dividends to the future generations of Gaels living in Nova Scotia and around the world.”

On November 21, 2008 a

“Ceilidh-house” Meeting took place in St. Andrews, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, under the auspices of the Office of Gaelic Affairs and Nova Scotia Economic Development. The purpose of the meeting was to hold a facilitated workshop on “collaborative strategies” in community development. It brought together friends and colleagues in the Gaelic Community who made clear early in the day, as they shared their stories and experiences, that theirs was a united confidence in the vibrancy of that Community, with potential for continued development based on those values inherent in Gaelic culture.

Through the day, consensus emerged as small groups collaborated on possible projects or initiatives that might be undertaken, with consideration of (and commitment to) next steps, what support would be needed and how to garner it, so that a successful outcome might be achieved. These initiatives ranged from the production of Gaelic video segments for local community television to the creation of a Nova Scotia-based curriculum for the Gàidhlig aig Baile language classes; from a tangible Taigh-cheilidh that would serve as the hub of a community to a visionary concept to rebuild our Gaelic communities as self-sustaining eco-systems.

r’ a’leantainn air d.4

The Gaelic Way of Living in the World: Investment in the Gaelic Community can reap dividends

Air a’21 dhen Dùbhlachd, 2008 le taic bho Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig agus Oifis Leasachadh na h-Eaconomaidh, chaidh Coinneamh “Taigh-chéilidh” fad latha a chumail ann a’Baile Naoimh Anndra, Siorramachd Antaigonais. B’e rùn na coinnimh seo bùth-obrach “roi-innleachdan co-obrachaidh” ann a’leasachaidhean coimhearsnachd a chur air dòigh, le luchd-shoirbeachaidh os a cionn. Thàinig càirdean is co-oibrichean na Coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig le chéile’s bha e soilleir tràth’s a’latha, ‘s iad a’roinn an cuid naidheachdan is eòlais, gu robh an aon earbs’ aca á brìgh na coimhearsnachd sin, agus aonta gu robh comasachd aice a dhol bho neart gu neart, stéidhichte air na prionnsabail a tha i-fhéin a’measadh prìseil.

Rè a’latha, cho-obraich grunnain air

ionnsaidhean no iomairtean a bha iad a’smaoineachadh comasach is freagarrach a chur air bhonn, leis an ath cheuman a bu choir dèanamh, leithid taic a dh’fheumadh dhan phròiseact, ciamar a b’urrainn sin ‘fhaighinn gus an soirbhicheadh leatha, agus mar sin air adhart. Seo feadhainn dhe na h-ionnsaidhean air an robh grunnain ag obair : pìosan-bhideo Gàidhlig a thoirt gu cinneas agus an taisbeanadh air telebhisean ionadail; cruthachadh de chlàr-oideachaidh, stéidhichte ann a’Gàidhlig’s dòighean-beatha na h-Albann Nuaidhe, do chlasaichean cànain Gàidhlig aig Baile; Taigh-chéilidh dà-riribh, a bhiodh mar ionad ghnìomhachais dhan choimhearsnachd gu léir; agus bun-smuain aislingeach a dh’ath-thogadh na coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig ann an àrainneachd far am biodh gach nì a bhuineadh dhan Ghàidhlig’s dhan choimhearsnachd a’neartachadh a chéile’s a’ co-obrachadh le chéile ann an dòigh fhallain is nàdarraich.

Aig ceann a’latha, rinn Nona

NicDhiarmaid geàrr-chunntas snasail air brìgh cultar is dualchas na Gàidhlig mar a shònraicheas luchd na Gàidhlig fhéin sin, leis na dibhinnean Sòisealta, Spioradail’s Innteachail, agus Eaconomach a thigeadh ás na ceanglaichean eadar na Gaidheil fhéin, agus ás a’bhuntanas a th’aca dh’an coimhearsnachd agus dhan t-saoghal air fad. Chuir i cudthrom air an fhacal “dibhinne” an àite “sochair” :

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Dòigh-beatha nan Gaidheal‟s an t-Saoghal: Cuir’s a’Choimhearsnachd Ghaidhealaich’s Thig Bàrr

“Ma chuireas sinne ann a’cultar na Gàidhlig ’nar beatha, buainidh sinn dibhinnean—feadhainn a’s urrainn dhuinn làimhseachadh agus feadhainn eile nach urrainn-----a bhios ann bho linn gu linn ann an Albainn Nuaidh agus air feadh an t-saoghail.”

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At day’s end, Nona MacDermid captured the essence of Gaelic Culture as defined by Gaelic speakers themselves, with the Social, Spiritual and Intellectual, and Economic dividends that ensue from their connection to each other, to their community, and to the world at large. She emphasized the use of the word “dividend” instead of “benefit”: “A benefit is something that is often given by an external source while a dividend reflects the fact that someone made an investment. Each Gael that chooses to embrace the Gaelic culture is investing in the ongoing life and vitality of the social model we know as Gaelic culture….More importantly, a dividend is generally a recurring gain that one can expect to last well into the future—if not infinitely. Our commitments and contributions to Gaelic culture in our lifetime hold the promise of many tangible and intangible dividends to the future generations of Gaels living in Nova Scotia and around the world.”

From January 31 to February 1, a second “Céilidh-house” meeting was held at the Gaelic College, St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, sign of further potential dividends to be gained as teachers and students of Gaelic gathered to consider ways of “advancing community-based Gaelic Immersion”. A report will appear in the Spring newsletter.

THE GAELIC WAY OF LIVING IN THE WORLD Dòigh-beatha nan Gaidheal ‟s an t-Saoghal

“Gu tric bidh sochair ga toirt seachad bho’n taobh a-muigh ach tha dibhinne a’ciallachadh gum buannaich cuideigin bàrr bho’n t-sìol a chuireas e-fhéin. Bidh a h-uile Gaidheal a thaghas compàirt a ghabhail ann a’cultar is dualchas na Gàidhlig, e-fhéin a’cur a chuid shìl ann am beatha mhaireannaich is bheòthail na Gàidhlig….. rud a’s cudthromaiche, mar is tric ‘s e dibhinne buannachd a gheobhar a-rithist’s a-rithist, ris am bi dùil gu lean i ’s an àm ri teachd----agus ’s dòcha gu bràth. Ma chuireas sinne ann a’cultar na Gàidhlig ’nar beatha, buainidh sinn dibhinnean—feadhainn a’s urrainn dhuinn làimhseachadh agus feadhainn eile nach urrainn-----a bhios ann bho linn gu linn ann an Albainn Nuaidh agus air feadh an t-saoghail.”

Air an 31 là dhen Fhaoilteach agus an 2 là dhen Ghearran, bha darna coinneamh “Taigh-chéilidh” ‘ga cumail aig Colaisde na Gàidhlig, Baile Naoimh Anna, Ceap Breatainn, comharradh de dhibhinnean eile a dh’fhaodar buain, agus luchd-teagaisg na Gàidhlig a’tighinn le chéile le luchd-ionnsachaidh an aon ghnothach beachdachadh air dòighean a b’urrainn dhaibh “Bogadh Gàidhlig ‘s a’choimhearsnachd” a chur air adhart. Bidh iomradh air a’choinneimh seo ann a’litir-naidheachd an Earraich.

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Comh-phàirtichean a’seinn òrain le chéile aig an Taigh-chéilidh ann a’Baile Naoimh Anndra

Participants sing a song together during the Ceilidh-house Meeting in St. Andrews

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2008 A busy year for

Comhairle na Gàidhlig

Comhairle na Gàidhlig

gu math trang ann a’ 2008

Thàinig iomairtean mór gu buil aig Comhairle na

Gàidhlig an uiridh. Anns an earrach, thàinig an làrach-lìn ùr www.gaelic.ca air-loidhne; chaidh ìomhaigh ùr—coimhead air duilleig a h-aon--- a tha na riochdair dhan Ghàidhlig ann an Albainn Nuaidh, a chur an eòlas an t-sluaigh’s a’Chéitean; thachair Cruinneachadh nan Gaidheal soirbheachail aig Ionad na Mìle Bliadhna, Oilthigh Naoimh Fhransaidh Xavier, eadar an 24 agus an 26 là dhen Iuchar, dìreach ás déidh Rannsachadh na Gàidhlig, comhdhail acadaimigeach; agus air an 24 là dhen Dàmhair, chaidh an làrach-lìn aig Cainnt mo Mhàthar, www.cainntmomhathar.com , a chur air bhog am measg mór-ghàirdeachais. Chaidh an obair seo a dhèanadh ann a’ co-chuideachd leis a’Chlachan Ghaidhealach ann a’Sanndraigh, Ceap Breatainn, agus tha an làrach-lìn air a dhealbhadh mar àite far an urrainn do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig a dhol, saor an asgaidh, a dh’fhaicinn agus a dh éisdeachd ri luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig aig an robh a’chànain bho’n ghlùin.

Aig coinneimh bhliadhnail na Comhairle ann an Antaigonis air a’là mu dheireadh dhen Chéitean, chuir sinn fàilte air buidheann na bu mhotha na b’àbhaist de bhuill ùra a’Bhùird, agus iad nan riochdairean de sgìrean bho Dartmouth gu Westmount ( coimhead air an dealbh). Feumar taing mhór a thoirt dhan fheadhainn aig an robh an ceann-aimsir air tighinn gu crìch, a thaobh mar a thug iad uile na h-uairean saor-thoileach do dh’obair na Comhairle : Ionmhasair Rodney Chaisson, Rùnaire Eòsag Nic an t-Saoir (a-nis a’toirt ceum a-mach ann a’Foghlam aig St.FXU), Allison NicChoinnich, Clarans Mac’IllFhaolain, Trueman MacMhathain, Brian Domhnallach, agus Seumas MacDhomhnaill (a-nis aig Sabhal Mór Òstaig ann an Albainn).

Tha Catriona Parsons, Ceannsuidhe, Seasag Nic’IllFhaolain, Iar-cheannsuidhe, agus Eimilidh NicFhionghuin, Riochdair nan Oileanach, a’cumail orra air a’Bhòrd; agus comhla riutha a-nis sglèat de bhuill ùra a tha a’gealltainn buaidh is piseach air na pròiseactan a tha romhainn ann a’2009-2010 : Deibidh Sobaidh, Rùnaire; Beathag Anna NicEachainn, Ionmhasair; Luchd-stiùiridh Jeanette Strachan, Siùsaidh Chamshroin, Bev Brett, Barabal Sutherland-Foote, agus Tim Aggett. Ás déidh fad latha de dh’obair air planadh roi-innleachdail dhan Bhòrd’s an Fhoghar, tha na comataidhean ùra air an cur air bhonn : Rianachas; Leasachadh-chànain/Foghlam; Eadar-theachdaireachd agus Adhartachd; agus Leasachadh-choimhearsnachd; agus tha iad ag obair a-nis air na pròiseactan ùra. Tha an coltas air 2009 gum bi i ’na bliadhna gu math drìpeil is cinneasach cuideachd.

Several major initiatives came to fruition in 2008 for the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia. In the spring, the newly redesigned website www.gaelic.ca came on-line; the new image representing Gaelic Nova Scotia was presented to the public in May (see page 1); a highly successful Cruinneachadh nan Gaidheal (Gathering of the Gaels) followed the academic conference Rannsachadh na Gàidhlig (Researching Gaelic) at the Millennium Centre, St. FX University, on July 24-26; and on October 24, the much-anticipated launch of the Cainnt mo Mhàthar website, www.cainntmomhathar.com, a joint project with the Highland Village in Iona, designed to provide free access for learners to videos and recordings of interviews with native Gaelic speakers, took place with much celebration.

At the Council’s AGM in Antigonish on May 31, we welcomed a larger influx of Board Members than usual, representing districts from Dartmouth to Westmount (see photo). Outgoing were: Treasurer Rodney Chaisson, Secretary Joanne MacIntyre (now in the St.FX B.Ed. program with a view to teaching Gaelic), Allison MacKenzie, Clarence MacLellan, Trueman Matheson, Brian MacDonald and Jamie MacDonald (now at Sabhal Mór Òstaig in Scotland), all of whom gave many hours of volunteer service to the Council : our hearty thanks and blessings go with them.

President Catriona Parsons, Bayfield and New Campbellton, and Vice President Jessica MacLellan, River Denys, remain, together with Emily MacKinnon, Whycocomagh, our Student Representative, with a slate of new Board members that bodes well for projects in view for 2009-2010. The new members are : Debbi Sobey, Stellarton (Secretary); Beth Anne MacEachen, Dartmouth (Treasurer); Directors Jeanette Strachan, Framboise; Susan Cameron, Antigonish; Bev Brett, Baddeck; Barbara Sutherland-Foote, Westmount; and Tim Aggett, Dartmouth.

The new Board, after a day-long strategic planning

session in the Fall, has its new committees in place, namely

Governance, Language Development/Education,

Communications and Promotions, and Community

Development, and projects in the planning. 2009 is shaping

up as a busy and productive year. Stay tuned!

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Program Gnìomhan na Gàidhlig: A’Leantainn air Airgead a Chur an Sàs ann a’Coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig

Gaelic Activities Program continues to invest in Gaelic Communities

More than $14,500 was invested in Gaelic language and promotion under the November 15, 2008 deadline of the Gaelic Activities Program. More information about the program is available on the Office of Gaelic Affairs= website at www.gov.ns.ca/oga.

Organizations funded under the November 15, 2008 deadline Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àird-Bhaile: $3,950 to assist with community Gaelic language classes and weekend workshops. Grand Mira Community Centre: $775 to assist with community Gaelic language classes in Grand Mira. Comunn Gàidhlig is Eachdraidh a’ Bhràigh: $2,100 to assist with Gaelic language and culture displays at Taigh an t-Sagairt (the Fr. John Angus Rankin Cultural Centre), Glendale. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Baile a’ Chlamhain: $1,800 to assist with community Gaelic language classes in Port Hawkesbury. St. Andrews Gaelic Society: $2,420 to assist with community Gaelic language classes in Antigonish and St. Andrews. Inverness Development Association: $1,000 to assist with four Gaelic afternoon workshops in Inverness and Lake Ainslie. Comunn Féis an Eilein: $2,600 to assist with community Gaelic language classes in Christmas Island.

Chaidh còrr is $14,500 a chur anns a’Ghàidhlig , agus ann an iomairtean a bheireadh ceum air thoiseach dhan Ghàidhlig, le Program Gnìomhan na Gàidhlig ’s a’chuairt-iarratais a thàinig gu crìch air an 15amh dhen t-Samhainn, 2008. Tha barrachd fiosrachaidh ri fhaighinn air làraich-lìn Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig aig www.gov.ns.ca/oga .

Buidhnean a fhuair taic-airgid ’s a’chuairt a chriochnaich air a’15amh dhen t-Samhain Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àird-Bhaile : $3,950 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean-chànain Gàidhlig agus do bhùthan-obrach ceann-seachdain. Ionad Coimhearsnachd a’Mhira Mhóir : $775 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean-choimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig’s a’Mhira Mhór. Comunn Gàidhlig is Eachdraidh a’Bhràigh : $2,100 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do thaisbeanaidhean Gàidhlig dualchasach aig Taigh an t-Sagairt ( Ionad Dualchasach Mhaighstir Iain Aonghais MhicRaing ), Gleann Dail. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Baile a’Chlamhain : $1,800 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig na coimhearsnachd anns a’Ghut. Comunn Gàidhlig Cill Rìmhinn : $2,420 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig na coimhearsnachd ann an Antaigonis agus Baile Naoimh Anndra. Comann Leasachaidh Inbhirnis : $1000 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do cheithir bhùthan-obrach an fheasgair ann an Inbhirnis agus Loch Ainslie. Comunn Féis an Eilein : $2,600 gus cuideachadh a thoirt do chlasaichean Gàidhlig na coimhearsnachd ann an Eilean na Nollaig.

Ball Ùr„s a‟Sgioba

Aig toiseach na bliadhna 2009, chaidh Catriona NicIomhair Parsons ’fhasdadh mar neach-taic le Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig.

Rugadh Catriona ann an Eilean Leódhais ach tha i air a bhith a’fuireachd iomadh bliadhna ann an Albainn Nuaidh, a’teagasg na Gàidhlig aig Sgoil-Shamhraidh Colaisde na Gàidhlig, Ceap Breatainn, bho 1978; agus aig Oilthigh Naoimh Fhransaidh Xavier, Antaigonais, gus na chuir i dhith an dreuchd sin’s an Iuchar, 2008. Tha i air a bhith na ceannsuidhe aig Comhairle na Gàidhlig bho chionn an t-samhraidh, 2006.

In the new year 2009, Catriona Niclomhair Parsons joined the OGA team.

A native of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Catriona has lived many years in Nova Scotia, and has been involved with Gaelic language and song all her life – on the instruction side, with the Gaelic College Summer School, St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, since 1978; and more recently, with the Celtic Department at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, until her retirement from there at the end of July, 2008. She has also served as President of the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia since the summer of 2006.

New Team Member at OGA

Catriona Parsons

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“Tha e a’còrdadh rium gu mór a bhith a’seo,”tha i ag aideachadh. A rèir choltais, tha i-fhéin a’còrdadh ris na sgoilearan agus ris na co-oibrichean aice.

New Gaelic Teacher at St.

Andrew‟s Junior School

This year, with funding from English Program Services, the Department of Education, St. Andrew’s Junior School, Antigonish welcomed Màiri Sìne Parr from Muir of Ord, Scotland as its new Gaelic teacher.

Màiri Sìne learned Gaelic at home from her mother who hails from the Isle of Skye. Although she had to attend an all-English elementary school, she was back in touch with her Gaelic roots in high school and also later at Sabhal Mór Òstaig, the Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye where she obtained her degree in Political Science. Afterwards, she attended Jordanhill College of Education, now part of Strathclyde University in Glasgow, where she received her Gaelic teaching credentials.

This is not the first visit for Màiri Sìne to Nova Scotia. She did an exchange term at the University of Cape Breton when it was known as UCCB; at that time, as she recalls, she was very impressed with the area and its people. Before coming to Antigonish, Màiri Sìne spent her probationer year teaching at Lochabar High School in Fort William, Scotland.

At St. Andrew’s Junior School, Màiri Sìne teaches Gaelic to a total of 34 students in Grades 6, 7 and 8. She also has a Grade 5 Social Studies class. She is pleased that here she has the children for 4 hours of Gaelic per week , twice the time allotted in Fort William to first and second year Gaelic classes.

She is impressed not only with the good manners of the children but with their strong desire to learn. She also notes how helpful and kind people have been. Clearly, not only is Màiri Sìne enjoying her new school but so are students and fellow-workers responding favourably to her presence.

Modhail‟s Déidheil air

Ionnsachadh

Le taic-airgid bho Sheirbheisean

Prógram na Beurla, Roinn an Fhoghlaim, chaidh Màiri Sìne Parr ’fhasdadh am bliadhna mar bhean-teagaisg na Gàidhlig aig Sgoil Naoimh Anndra, Antaigonais.

‘S ann ás a’Bhlàr Dhubh, Alba a tha Màiri Sìne, agus ’s ann bho a màthair, a rugadh’s an Eilean Sgiathanach, a fhuair i a cuid Gàidhlig an toiseach aig an taigh. Ged a b’fheudar dhi a dhol gu sgoil Beurla nuair a ràinig i aois-sgoile, bha cothrom aice air a’Ghàidhlig a-rithist nuair a chaidh i dhan àrd-sgoil. Thug i ceum a-mach ann a’Saidheans Poilitigeach aig Sabhal Mór Òstaig agus ás déidh sin, fhuair i a teisteanas-theagaisg aig Colaisde Chnoc-Iòrdain, Oilthigh SrathChluaidh.

Chan e a’chiad turas bhos a’seo a th’ann do Mhàiri Shìne; rinn i teirm-iomlaid aig Oilthigh Cheap Breatainn, nuair a b’e Colaisde Oilthigh Cheap Breatainn an t-ainm a bh’air. ‘S aig an àm sin, dh’fhàg an t-àite drùidheadh air a h-inntinn. Chuir i seachad a’bhliadhna-dheuchainneach aice a’teagasg aig Àrd-sgoil Lochabair anns a’Ghearasdan mas d’thàinig i.

Aig Sgoil Naoimh Anndra, tha clasaichean Gàidhlig aig trì ìrean na sgoile—6,7,8---aig Màiri Sìne, cuide ri clas Chuspairean Sòisealta aig ìre 5. Uile gu léir, tha 34 sgoilearan aice anns na clasaichean Gàidhlig. Anns a’Ghearasdan, cha bhitheadh ach dà uair a thìde de Ghàidhlig aig sgoilearan na ciad’s na darna bliadhna gach seachdain; ach aig Sgoil Naoimh Anndra, tha a dhà uiread sin, rud a’s fheàrr leatha.

A bharrachd air a bhith mothachail air cho modhail’s cho déidheil air ionnsachadh’s a tha a’chlann, tha Màiri Sìne a’moladh muinntir an àite leis cho cuideachail’s cho coibhneil’s a tha iad. “Tha e a’còrdadh rium gu mór a bhith a’seo,”tha i ag aideachadh. A rèir choltais, tha i-fhéin a’còrdadh ris na sgoilearan agus ris na co-oibrichean aice.

Màiri Sìne Parr

“I’m really enjoying being here”, she admits. There are strong signs that her students and colleagues are glad she’s here too.

Misneach

8

8

Bun is Bàrr (cont‟d)

AM BAILE MÓR - ANTIGONISH:

155 A’ Phrìomh Shràid, 2na Ùrlar Am Baile Mór, Alba Nuadh B2G

2B6 155 Main Street 2nd Floor

Antigonish, NS B2G 2B6 Fón: (902) 863 7578

Facs: (902) 863 7428

MÀBU - MABOU:

Bocsa a' Phuist 261 Màbu, Alba Nuadh B0E 1X0

11485 Highway 19 PO Box 261

Mabou, NS B0E 1X0 Fón: (902) 945-2114

Facs: (902) 945-2628

HALAFACS - HALIFAX: Togalach Johnston, 2na Ùrlar

1672 Sràid Ghranville Bocsa a’ Phuist 186

Halafacs, Alba Nuadh B3J 2N2 Johnston Building, 2nd Floor

1672 Granville Street, PO Box 186 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2N2

Fón : (902) 424-4298 Facs: (902) 424-0171

www.gov.ns.ca/oga Toll Free: 1-888-842-3542

Cont’d from Page 1

the Atlantic Gaelic Academy (AGA). She is active in Gaelic organizations and promotion in Metro and teaches beginner immersion classes with Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àird-Bhaile. In the spring of 2008 she organized and participated in a six week immersion in Dartmouth. Formerly from Grand Mira, Cape Breton, she lives in Cole Harbour with her husband Mark and three young children.

Carmen is from Scotsburn, Pictou County and is a Celtic Studies graduate of St. Francis Xavier University. She is working on her Masters in Folklore at Memorial University in Newfoundland. She became interested in Gaelic through the music. While working at L’ Arche Cape Breton, she became friends with Angus MacInnis and Michael Steele who introduced her to fiddle music and step dancing. She said learning Gaelic was a natural progression.

“I started taking Gaelic at St.F.X. and it just grabbed me,” she said. “I really enjoyed learning it since day one. In situations where I am learning and using Gaelic I am excited and feel full of energy”. Carmen attends community Gaelic classes in Antigonish, tutors first year Gaelic students at St. F.X. and is an instructor with the Atlantic Gaelic Academy.

Bun is Bàrr was developed in response to an evaluation of community-based immersion classes held in Nova Scotia, in which survey respondents prioritized the need for intensive learning situations for motivated Gaelic learners. It also draws on research into successful minority and indigenous language renewal models that emphasize the importance of imparting cultural values and developing curriculum that reflects the world view and

interests of the linguistic minority. As a student of Gaelic Nova Scotia for

more than 30 years, who considers Gaels like Eòs Nìll Bhig (Joe Neil MacNeil), Migi Bean Nileig (Mickey MacNeil) and Seonaidh Aonghais Bhig (Johnny Williams) some of his best teachers, Jim Watson brings unique talents and insights to the program. “This focus will be on transmission of Gaelic language through its cultural aesthetics: the songs, humor, proverbs, and storytelling,” said Jim. “The quality of Gaelic cultural representations in Nova Scotia up to the present is a remarkable social asset to the province. Learners engaged in maintaining this priceless Nova Scotia legacy are critical to sustaining a distinct Gaelic region of the world.” The Bun is Bàrr pilot will run until May, at which time it will be assessed for further implementation and development. It is funded by the Office of Gaelic Affairs with support from the Department of Seniors.

a ‘leantainn bho d.1

air dòigh’s ghabh i pàirt ann a’sia seachdain de chlasaichean-bogaidh ann a’Dartmouth. Buinidh i dhan Mhira Mhór, Ceap Breatainn, ach a-nis tha i a’fuireachd ann a’Cole Harbour còmhla ris an duin’ aice, Marc, agus an triùir duine cloinne.

‘S ann á Scotsburn, Siorramachd Phictou a tha Carmen; fhuair i ceum ann an Eòlas Ceilteach bho Oilthigh Naoimh Fhransaidh Xavier. Aig an àm seo tha i a’toirt a-mach ceum maighstireachd ann a’beul-aithris aig Oilthigh Memorial, Talamh an Éisg. B’ann troimh’n cheòl a dhùisg suim dhan Ghàidhlig ann a’Carmen. Fhad’s a bha i ag obair aig L’Arche Cheap Breatainn, fhuair i eòlas air fìdhlearachd’s dannsa-céim bho Aonghas MacAonghais agus Mìcheal Steele. Bho sin, thuirt i, b’e ceum nàdarra a bh’ann tòiseachadh air a’Ghàidhlig ’ionnsachadh.

“Thòisich mi a’gabhail Gàidhlig aig ST.FX agus ghabh i gréim orm. Chòrd i rium bho’n chiad là. Nuair a bhios mi ag ionnsachadh’s a’bruidhinn na Gàidhlig, bidh sin ‘gam thogail’s cur brìgh unnam”. Bidh Carmen trang a’dol gu clasaichean-coimhearsnachd a’Bhaile Mhóir, ag obair ‘na h-oid’-ionnsachaidh le oileanaich na ciad bliadhna aig ST. FX agus na neach-teagaisg le AGA.

Chaidh Bun is Bàrr a dhealbhadh mar fhreagairt do bheachdan muinntir na coimhearsnachd a tha an sàs ann a’Gàidhlig aig Baile, na clasaichean-bogaidh stéidhichte air T.I.P., aig an robh prìomh-bheachd gu feumadh cothrom ionnsachaidh dlùth-aireachail a chur air dòigh. Tha am program a’tarraing air dòighean-ùrachaidh cànain a tha air a bhith soirbheachail agus a tha a’cur cuideim air sealladh an t-saoghail a th’aig luchd na cànain’ bhig.

Ann am beachd Sheumais Watson, bha Eòs Nill Bhig, Migi Bean Nileig, agus Seonaidh Aonghais Bhig am measg nan tidsearan a b’fheàrr a bh’aige’s na deich air fhichead bliadhna a tha e air a bhith dol gu foghlam aig Gaidheil na h-Albann Nuaidhe. Bheir esan leis tuigse is tàlantan gun samhail chun a’ phrógraim. “Bidh am program ag amas air na h-òrain, an àbhachd, na seanfhacail, agus air an t-seanchas a bhuineas do dhualchas na Gàidhlig bhos a’seo a chur gu feum mar stuth-oideachaidh,” thuirt esan. “‘S e cultar Gàidhlig air leth luachmhor a th’againn ann an Albainn Nuaidh—maoin shònraichte, airidh air a cumail suas.”

Bidh pròiseact-iùil Bun is Bàrr a’ruith gus a’Chéitean; aig an àm sin théid measadh a

dhèanamh air gus leasachadh a bharrachd a thoirt gu buil. Tha Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig agus Roinn nan Seann Daoine a’toirt taic-airgid dhan phròiseact seo.

'Se an Céitean

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