Nova Scotian opportunity for Gaelic speaker

The Highland Council is currently trying to identify a Gaelic speaker who would be prepared to live and work in Cape Breton for six months to help with a Gaelic language learning project.

The recruitment drive to find a Gaelic speaker willing to live and work in Nova Scotia is one of a range of joint initiatives which are part of the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU) - an agreement signed between The Highland Council and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia in 2002. The MOU provides the basis for a variety of cultural initiatives between the two areas.

This project follows on from events last summer (July 2006) when a group of Gaelic speaking parents and young people from West Lochaber travelled to Nova Scotia for a visit which aimed to set up a Gaelic family learning project and strengthen the links established between Lochaber and Cape Breton. The group from Lochaber liaised with parents in three Nova Scotian communities so that the Nova Scotians could experience at first hand what Gaelic pre-school and primary education is like.

Dr Michael Foxley, Highland Council’s Vice Convenor said: “We are lending a helping hand to Feis Mhabu, based in Mabou, Cape Breton, who are seeking an energetic, fluent Gaelic speaker with experience of working with children. They are looking for someone to go and live in the village of  Mabou on Cape Breton’s west coast,  from January till June 2007.

“The successful candidate will conduct two after school programs for children, a pre-school program (with parents) and will be expected to participate, but not lead, the adult Gaelic classes, which are conducted entirely through the medium of Gaelic.

“Experience in planning children’s programming and leading children in Gaelic-based activities is essential while the ability to sing in Gaelic would be an asset. The successful candidate will have a keen interest in learning more about the Gaelic traditions and culture of Cape Breton and a willingness to incorporate as much local dialect and tradition into the children’s courses as possible.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the right person as much hospitality and support will be given by the Mabou parents, local Gaelic speakers and Feis Mhabu.

"We want to help Nova Scotia to re-establish young Gaelic speakers."

Further information about the Mabou appointment can be obtained by contacting: Catriona MacIntyre, Highland Council’s Early Years Development Officer [Gaelic]on tel: 01397 707357 or Morag Anna MacLeod, Highland Council’s Gaelic Development Officer on tel: 0788 1511656.