To the editor:
In an era when family values, morals, tradition and culture are questioned daily by popular media and outside exposure, it is shocking to see yet another important event for the youth of our community being cut. The annual Gaelic College Highland Dance Competition is one of the longest standing Highland Dance competitions in Canada. For this reason alone, it is a very important part of the history of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Canada. It is also important to our Cape Breton dancers as an event for these locals to perform for their families and their community without, once again, having to leave the Island. This competition attracts dancers from all over Canada, many of which have relatives in Cape Breton, and plan their summer vacations around the competition.
This past Fall, the Gaelic College elected a new administration which included a new Executive Director and Director of Education. Under this administration, there will be a change in focus at the College, moving more towards the Gaelic language and only ‘non’ competitive studies. There will no longer be study in the Great Highland Bagpipe (only Cape Breton style piping), no Pipeband Drumming, etc. Eventually, they hope to fade out one of the College’s longest standing areas of study, Highland Dance.
The Gaelic College began in 1938 as a Gaelic institution, at a time when Gaelic was a central part of Cape Breton communities–spoken at home and in school. Years later, Highland Dance and Bagpiping were added to the curriculum due to their ties with the language, culture and music, and they have continued through its history. Step Dance and Fiddle were not added to the program until many years later–the early ’80s. I have no issue with a Gaelic focus, I think it’s wonderful. My Dad’s family is from Inverness and spoke Gaelic in their home, and my daughter is studying Gaelic Song at the Gaelic College. My issue is with the disregard for other longstanding areas of study. If, back in the day, Gaelic College administration felt Highland Dance had strong enough ties to be one of the first evolving areas of study, why does the new administration feel it cannot be part of this tradition? Yes, the fiddle and step dance have been a large part of this culture, especially renewed in the past 20+ years, however, they were not original disciplines of study at the Gaelic College back when the Gaelic was center stage, yet Highland Dance was.
In early days, they also ran an annual Gaelic Mod that hosted competitions in Gaelic Song and Story, Highland Dance, and Pipebands. Through the years, the Mod has sadly become extinct, following along with so many events that have been lost to our Island. The Highland Dance Competition, however, has continued to run successfully since its inception. Due to the dedication and loyalty I have felt towards this event, the College’s traditions, and the local dancers, I have continued to organize this for the past 20 years with the support of the previous administrations and community volunteers. I run this purely on a volunteer basis, with no association as is the norm with other competitions.
So why would the Gaelic College pull this event? Their answer, aside from their new non-competitive view, is they don’t feel Highland Dance is connected in any way to the Gaelic Culture!!! I asked where they are getting their history and beliefs, and it was simply stated they just knew these things from being around the Gaelic lifestyle. This is very interesting. Certainly the dancing has changed over time, but it should still have a place in the culture, so it doesn’t get completely lost. Quoting a friend who has his Masters in Ethnochoreology (Traditional Dance Studies): “Both strands of the dance tradition (Highland & Step) should co-habit as they support and inform each other. Highland Flings have been danced to puirt a beul (mouth music) in Scotland for the past 50-60 years”…as have they been danced at the Gaelic College through mouth music in my younger years, and currently with my own students.
Healthy competition for youth has been a reason why many of these Celtic traditions have lasted through a time where media promotes a much more elaborate sense of living for youth. Competition allows young people to set goals, strive for improvement and share their skills with others. Isn’t this what our Gaelic/Cape Breton culture is about: families actually spending time together at community events full of tradition, culture and values? Not to mention the money that goes back in to our community’s economy when 100-200 dancers and their families spend the weekend dancing in Cape Breton (staying at our hotels, buying our gas, eating at our restaurants, shopping at our stores). I think maybe the administration may want to consider attending such an event before deciding its fate.
This is a disappointing loss to Highland Dance, which is a unique art form in many areas around the world. It is a great loss to our history and culture on the Island and within the Province, where Highland Dance competitions and Highland Games have been decreasing annually due to monetary reasons. Why can’t the Gaelic College pursue its ideals with the Gaelic Language, while still allowing the school portion of the institution to teach other just as relevant sectors of the culture? How is it that suddenly a few people get to decide what is a relevant part of tradition at the Gaelic College? If Highland Dance was relevant enough to be a starting new discipline way back in early Gaelic College days, why is it suddenly “not part of the culture”?
If our own Island, an Island that survives on our Celtic culture through tourism, and the Gaelic College, an institution promising to promote the local culture within our community, does not support Highland Dance… then who exactly will?
The Gaelic College is run overall by a Board of Governors. This Board makes all final decisions regarding the Gaelic College. If you would like to support the continuation of Highland Dance and the Dance Competition at the Gaelic College, please send any letters of support along to the Board Chairperson: Maureen Carroll maureen@mcarrollconsulting.ca.
Kelly MacAuthur
kelly@macarthurdance.com
Kelly MacArthur is the Director of the MacArthur School of Dance. She has been teaching Highland & Step Dance at the Gaelic College for the past 23 years. Kelly is the organizer of the GC Highland Dance Competition.
nona macdonald-dyke says
So, Kelly I have to get all of this straightened in my head, because the future of the Gaelic College lies on us straightening this out! First of all, it's a known that Highland Dance will be taught this summer and future summers, as we've not been told differently that they will not be! Secondly, the Dance Competition held during the summer is being looked at, and the chances are looking in favour of retaining the dance. Thirdly, there hasn't been a Gaelic College Pipe Band for the last 9/10 years, but The College is starting up a new band this year. Fourthly, there have been some classes added and some classes phased out. Am I clear in all of this so far?
I don't know who brought up bursaries, but if there will still be piping classes held at the College, who says the bursaries will be pulled? Has the Board Chair told you these will be pulled?
I'm increasingly worried that all of this negativity will result in not only a competition being pulled, but that wonderful institution that so many folks have experienced closing it's doors. It won't take spruce trees and alders long to grow and crowd those sacred walls into crumbling ruins.
Kelly MacArthur says
I answered above re the bursaries. People were outraged at first, made statements re pulling bursaries with the new focus ~ and now there has been some change back in the HD direction…for now. What the final decision will be on bursaries is not in my hands. I only know that there were some letters of concern when this all first came out ~ when the competition was pulled and the piping and drumming as well.
It wasn't stated anywhere that these were piping bursaries? I'm pretty sure the piping bursaries are open to any style of piping? However, how they feel with the new piping direction would be the decision of the bursary donor. Many in the competitive piping world are upset right now.
Obviously the Harp Bursary will be pulled as it is no longer a course. There are a couple of bursaries associated with Highland Dance, and that community is confused and upset right now. I'm not sure if re-instating the competition due to public outcry is making everyone feel comfortable.
That's all I know. I don't have specifics.
Kelly MacArthur says
I too am concerned Nona.
When I was told that Highland Dance didn't 'fit into the Gaelic culture in any way' and 'would eventually be phased out', I was very concerned.
When I was told that the HD competition wasn't going to happen this summer, I was concerned.
When I saw that competitive style piping and drumming were already pulled from the program, as well as harp and bodhran (one of the most popular subjects there) ~ I was concerned.
When I hear that the competition is now happening again, but its future is doubtful, I am concerned.
When I see the new program format, and see that Highland Dance is the only part of the competitive disciplines that is staying, I am concerned. With the others already pulled, it seems questionable. If the competition gets pulled for future, more concerns arise.
When we all have been told that the direction of the CEO and DOE is towards a non competitive program, I am concerned. (Stated right in his interview with CTV).
When I see they have already pulled 2 components of the competitive program ~ leaving only 1 ~ I am very very concerned.
When I look at the March Break Program and see that all the other disciplines, except Highland Dance, are in the Cape Breton style ~ and follow the way the CEO & DOE see as the way of the Gaelic ~ I am concerned.
I am very concerned overall, which is why I wrote the article. The public deserves to know what's going on, as do all the loyal students, loyal instructional staff and the founding members. Some members of the Board were completely unaware of the situation, and were not included in these decisions. Nor were they included in the public statement given Monday. I know this because I spoke with them directly.
A respectful letter outlining the changes, cuts and ideals of this new format would have saved a lot of rumors and speculation. At this point, deciding exactly where you stand with regards to programming, as well as informing the public of this decision ~ and OWNING it ~ well, that would be great. It would save a lot of concerns.
Kelly MacArthur says
Join the Gaelic College Foundation, and become a voting member. Membership is only $15.00.
The Gaelic College is owned by the Foundation.
http://www.gaeliccollege.edu/about/about-us/join-…
Michael Newton says
You can read a great deal of detail about the relationship between Highland Dance and Gaelic Nova Scotia in the report written by Michael Kennedy: Gaelic Nova Scotia: An Economic, Cultural and Social Impact Study (2002) pp. 156-224 (especially pp. 207-224), which is available online:
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/site-museum/media/museum/…
To quote from it: "It is testament to the degree of external manipulation that Gaelic culture has suffered that the form of dancing most popularly associated with Gaelic Scotland — Highland dancing — should have the weakest roots in Gaelic culture, at least in its present form, while the form of dance that is most strongly rooted in that same culture — step dancing — should be routinely dismissed as “Irish.” Step dancing and Highland dancing are actually quite closely related; in fact, they appear to have once substantially overlapped one another but have taken very different trajectories in the Old World and the New over the last two centuries. […] Like piping, however, this form of dancing was largely removed from its Gaelic social context during the course of the late 18th and 19th centuries and generally by the same forces that were active in charting a new non-Gaelic course for piping — namely, the “improvers.” The main forum for display became the Highland Games circuit and its precursor piping competitions, which, as has been discussed previously, introduced an urban, English, and usually elitist demand for romanticism, gentility, pageant, and costume, and all but eliminated the Gaelic content — and certainly the Gaelic context. The main source of income (not to mention prestige) around the tradition was soon derived from winning the prizes at those competitions and/or training other champion dancers. As with piping, judging became the purview of the socially powerful but, from a Gaelic standpoint at least, culturally inept, and the tradition began to move very strongly away from its Gaelic roots by the 19th century."
Jeanie Campbell says
I have read the paper by Dr. michael Kennedy,Lots of meeting 's ,lots of committes,and lots of good ideas re. a 20 year plan,do you know if any of this was implemented committies were set up in several communities ,are they still valid / were any of them implemented ? His paper would be a good place to start, He talks about Dance but does not say what kind although he does say that step dance and highlandance were quite closely related just wondering if the committees are stil in force at this time….
douglas dubh says
Kelly, As a highland piper who attended the college several years and had a great learning experience, not for any competition, I am naturally concerned that this is a mistaken direction. But as a financial contributor to the college I am equally concerned that this may be an exclusionary evolution, making no financial sense at all. Will there be other venues for learning highland pipes on CB? Wondering if there will be a reduction of bursaries as a result of this decision. Does anyone know the financial impact? Will money aways be there to support just the gaelic? Is there another location that might take this opportunity to teach piping along with highland dance, fiddling another forms of the gaelic tradition?
Jeanie Campbell says
douglas dubh,I was thinking along the same lines,re. the burseries, I will check into the status of our family bursery,sad to think that since 1996 a student could attend the college for piping,weaving and language and that may not continue, The list of donators is short,,A few years ago I heard the term ''The Gaelic Mafia'' I was shocked at the term,especially since the small group learning the language were mostly ''from away.' perhaps I should have listened more closely…
Kelly MacArthur says
Very good questions douglas dubh, and I can answer some:
With regards to the 'Bursaries' offered to students annually at the Gaelic College, the answer is YES ~ there will be several pulled with this new line of direction . I have already received many emails from Clan Societies and families who sponsor bursaries, that said they would have to pull them if this new program direction became standard. These emails have been forwarded to the Board.
With regards to Piping and Drumming schools, there are none on the Island. Not only that, due to the fact that Cape Breton is a very transient community ~ with students leaving the Island to work or go to University when they turn 18-20, we have a total lack of piping and drumming instructors in general! These young people are just getting to the age where they can do well enough on their craft to begin teaching, but they can't stay in the community ~ so they go off and teach & learn elsewhere. With the loss of the GC Pipe Band program a few years back, most pipers and drummers of this competitive design play with bands from other localities on the mainland or other parts of the Maritimes as it is.
I am assuming there are large grants in the Gaelic sector. These are just my own thoughts.
nona macdonald-dyke says
Kelly, are you certain that there will be bursaries pulled? If so, which bursaries?
Kelly MacArthur says
Hi Nona,
I am certain that I received 2 letters from families who donate to bursaries at the GC, who have said they are considering pulling their bursaries if this new program continues with some of its cuts. I can't say which ones ~ they didn't say the bursary they supported, and because these were in letters to forward to the CEO & Board to discuss.
I do know when looking through, there is a Harp bursary which obviously can't be used. There are a couple associated with Highland Dance as well. Although this program is still being offered as of now, the Highland Dance community who are aware of the indecisive aspects of this discipline with regards to the future programming format ~ are quite offended and confused by the talk of this past week.
The competition was cut (have a copy of the voicemail stating this to a fellow dance instructor), then it was re-instated to save face for this year ~ but doubtful for future. Highland Dance is still offered, but it is the only thing that doesn't fit in the beliefs and formatting that is being presented. The public confusion and outrage has made people leery ~ so they are likely waiting on more info before deciding these things.
I wrote the above before I got the call to say the Competition was back in, so these people considering their bursaries may change their minds ~ I can't answer to all that.
Jeanie Campbell says
Just a comment Kelly, there are members on this board who have gone to Scotland to study language and Piping, and Celtic studies,I am not sure about dance .the pipers went there to compete and did Cape Breton proud. not just the pipe band but individual pipers. Why are these members not speaking up if they do not agree with the direction the Gaelic college is going, let them be courageous and speak up.. Now Scotland and anything Scottish seems to be scorned by members of the board …Speak out if you do not agree with this decision it is the least you can do ,or have they taken the vow of silence…….
Dr Michael Newton says
Anyone who actually knows the history of the College knows that, even though it initially gave some small support to Gaelic, it imported alien styles of dance and music that did not represent Gaelic culture anywhere, let alone in Nova Scotia. So called "Highland Dance" and Bagpipe Bands (playing the military style) were developed in the urban, anglophone Lowlands during the 19th century in Scotland, and were unknown to the Gaelic immigrants who settled in Nova Scotia.
It is great that Rodney is NOT returning to the "roots" of the College, as they were deeply, deeply flawed, but is returning to the roots of actual Gaelic tradition. Anyone who thinks that actual Highland tradition has value – especially the traditions as uniquely preserved and developed by the Gaelic communities in Nova Scotia – should support and applaud this decision — just as we can applaud the tearing down of the Indian Residential Schools.
There are plenty of places which offer the standardized, athletic competitive forms of dance and bagpiping — this is the only place where these genuinely Gaelic folk traditions will be supported.
MMD says
I don't think anyone has the right to call something 'flawed' because it didn't go in the direction they wish it had taken. Also, making derogatory comments about Highland dancing is not going to get people anywhere. I doubt you have ever seen a Highland dance competition, so your view doesn't mean much to those who have.
Regardless of all this derogatory history lesson, as a 'scholar', you should be open minded to the fact that history is of course interpretive. It is guided by the opinions, climate and direction of the person writing it. There is never one side to the story. Especially this one, because so much of this history in Scotland and Cape breton is admittedly unknown. We keep getting this history lesson on this blog as if that gives the new admin at the gaelic college the right to walk in and change the mandate which was set 73 years ago.
Whether you like it or not, it was set a certain way and evolved with the times. In my many years on this planet, I have come to realize that many times, the most informed and most read people are the most narrow minded and egotistical as well. They force their views and studies as if we should take all that is written as the 'word' because some other 'scholar' or author would NEVER have an agenda. Fascist views of history are not accepted by all.
The real points here are – is this a good business move for the Island and the Province? Not likely. Is this a good move in the area of alumni support at the gaelic college? Definitely not. Is this a good statement to make to the rest of the people in Nova Scotia? That the 'Cape breton' style is to be taught at the Gaelic College because THAT was the true intention of its flawed creation, and no other culture counts in either CB or NS?
Gaelic Culture is NOT exclusive to Cape Breton. It is NOT exclusive to the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts. Nova Scotia (and the rest of the non Gaelic speaking Island) does not deserve this type of disrespect and inacurate history lesson. I think you should ask the people of Pictou county if they believe this is so?
As far as the CEOs angle on 'competition does not foster education'. Well, that was certainly a mouthful that deserves a whole other forum in itself. With his background as an educator, it's just an unbelievable statement.
Chris MacNeil says
Well, at least we know where the students on this blog are getting their training.
Dr Newton: No one on this blog who is opposed to the radical changes proposed (and already made) for the GC is saying that the uniqueness of culture of the highland gaelic immigrants to NS and region is not valuable or not wanted at the GC. Quite the contrary. It is the "radical-changes-are-needed-to-correct-past-mistakes" camp that continues to insert divisiveness with their view of holding the "one true history". Posing this "one true history" as the (thin) rationale for very radical changes at the GC, creating and sowing divisiveness — these are political actions that, in my view, serve agendas other than what is apparent.
My $0.02 worth.
Jeanie Campbell says
There is a bridge in Glasgow on Argyle st. It is know and has been known as the Hielan'mans Umbrella for over one hundred years . There were more Gaelic speakers in Glasgow than were left in the highlands at that time they met there every Saturday to meet and to speak thier own language. It is still there today , and is still called The Hieland mans Umbrella I don't know if the Gaels still meet there , I am hearing some very insulting comments directed at lowlanders of which I am one and very proud to be, .my ancesters were from Morven and no doubt had no choice but to move.. I love Cape Breton but I also think of Scotland as home I, am disturbed that people who are'' allegedly ''educated have chosen to take the low rd. in this discussion there is a dance called The Flora MacDonald which Flora danced for Prince Charle in 1746/ 47 was it a highland dance/ ,if it was then that is over 250 years ago and no one is around to tell us…..