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Letter to the editor: The end of an era at the Gaelic College

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.

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Comments

  1. In reply to Sharon MacDonald:

    The debate here is not an issue with a focus on Gaelic. That is a great change. However, there is no reason why the two can't be held together and co-exist. There is a need for this today. If they have co-existed since 1939, under the direction of Rev. MacLeod ~ who is the one who created and decided the direction of the original Gaelic College program ~ then they can co-exist now.

    As far as money being spent here and there…Highland Dance is one of the strongest disciplines in the GC student population, and has a huge effect on the summer school. the competition also brings money into Cape Breton.

    As far as your analysis of Highland Dance. Some points are correct. As with the Step Dance and Piping, etc. ~ it has evolved and changed. That is a given, and not the point at all. As it stands, it has successfully withstood the times and remained a core part of our culture.

    This 'limelight' you refer to is the part that most amuses me. Have you even been to a highland Dance competition in recent years? Have you been to a class? Highland Dance is one of the least 'highlighted' sectors of the culture. We fight every battle to stay alive and be given a shot to perform. One of the many reasons why competitions keep us going. If there were more performance related avenues, that would be great. The competition budget is not an issue or a demand on the GC, as that can be easily fundraised and supported through our Dance Societies. That is a non-issue.

    And, because I live this life in Cape Breton, I will tell you that there is much more to Highland Dance than competition ~ that is only one area. If there are 500 Highland Dancers in Nova Scotia, only 1/3 of these dancers are competitive.

    At least when I spoke to the Director of Education, she had the guts and honesty to admit she knew NOTHING about Highland Dance culture and history, had not been to competitions, and therefore could not comment in this area. It would be great if you could get your facts in order, as I did, before making statements that are incorrect.

    There is a place for ALL things culture in Cape Breton. There is certainly a place for a traditional family valued ideal such as Highland Dance. Especially at the Gaelic College of CELTIC ARTS AND CRAFTS.

    • "There is a place for ALL things culture in Cape Breton. There is certainly a place for a traditional family valued ideal such as Highland Dance. Especially at the Gaelic College of CELTIC ARTS AND CRAFTS"

      As if Highland dance was ever a traditional family value in Gaelic Cape Breton! Give me a break!

      • David: Obviously, you know nothing about this, so why did you comment? There are many CBers whose family values were reflected in the choices and sacrifices they made for their children — the highland dance was and is a big part of many families' lives (not only in CB).

        Why be ignorant when you know nothing about it?

    • Quote from Kelly MacArtur:
      "There is a place for ALL things culture in Cape Breton. There is certainly a place for a traditional family valued ideal such as Highland Dance. Especially at the Gaelic College of CELTIC ARTS AND CRAFTS"

      As if Highland Dance was EVER a "traditional family valued ideal" in Gaelic Cape Breton! Give me a break! The Gaelic College is finally doing what it ought, focusing on *ACTUAL* features of Cape Breton Gaelic heritage.

      • sorry, first comment disappeared on me, now there's two and I can't delete the first one.

      • I'm sorry you feel this way. I grew up on both the Highland Dance and the Step Dance circuit through all my young and teen years. Although I admit not making it to many of the dances and parties over the past number of years since my children have taken over my life :) I teach both disciplines with the knowledge of what I know from early days and my belief in the culture and tradition. I spent countless weekends a year traveling with my family to events to perform and compete, spending time with friends who have become my 'dance family'. I give HUNDREDS of hours each year to the community ~ as a volunteer ~ as a dancer, performer and teacher. My dancers LOVE to dance. They are very proud of what they do. it is a very small yet large dance community, but there is a great deal of good values, education and work that go in to Highland Dance. It is actually quite valued in Cape Breton ~ that is a very disrespectful and un-educated (even catty) comment. I also love the Gaelic language and it supports the roots of my fathers family, who were Beatons from Black Rock and the Mabou Coal Mines. I know you haven't spent 1 minute involved in the HD culture by your comment ~ so please don't knock something that has kept kids interested, family orientated and educated. That's not fair. We haven't attacked your ideals.

      • Please excuse my tone in the above comments, I see how you got that they were catty, and I sincerely mean no disrespect. But to say that my comments are un-educated couldn't be further from the truth. I am currently pursuing an Honours in Celtic Studies, I'm a musician, Gaelic speaker, step dancer and I'm probably a relative of your own as I have many connections to the Beatons from Mabou Coalmines (My Rankins are from there, and are still there).

        You're right in your assumption that I haven't had much experience in Highland Dancing, but I can tell you, neither have many generations of Gaels in Cape Breton Island. I can say that with absolute certainty. As far as they are concerned, Highland Dancing is about as relevant to their tradition as Ballet or Salsa Dancing. My tone came from frustration with the fact that our people and our culture have been pushed under the rug and dominated by outsiders constructing their own views of the culture and pushing things on it that were never there to begin with, and insiders have been submissive to this for far too long.

      • And my "ideals" haven't been "attacked" by Highland Dance culture, but my culture has been hijacked by it. Highland Dance Culture should never be confused with Cape Breton Gaelic culture because they have nothing to do with one another.

      • How has it been hijacked? Who has hijacked it?

        The wee little children who have worked hard and love to dance and perform? Did THEY hijack your idea of the culture? Learning their culture, while spending time with their families and friends and learning life skills…has that damaged YOUR ideals?

        The Step Dance/ Fiddle world has thrived over the past 20+ years, Highland Dance has done its own thing, and we don't get half the notice or respect on or off the Island? We aren't complaining though. I think I am finished responding to your comments as they have no backbone…only jealousy and hate. I live in a world of positive values, where hard work and family ideals are held strong.

        The Gaelic College never had this in mind, it has had what WE call tradition going on for 70+ years. That is the facts.

      • Give me a break!

        Consult a book, and tell me that Highland Dance is a Cape Breton tradition, and then tell me that my comments have no backbone. Ask anybody with a background in Celtic Studies, and tell me that the Mod, dance competitions, or pipe bands have ever had ANY place in Gaelic Cape Breton Island outside of the Gaelic College, and that my comments are borne of hatred and jealousy rather than fact. Enough spitting on your own people and treating Cape Breton culture as garbage that's to be thrown by the wayside so that outside culture should be put on a pedestal and gazed upon as a superior part of a culture it has no place in. I like highland dance, I like highland pipe bands, and drums, I'm a big fan – but they have no place in the CB Gaelic tradition, and have only continued at the Gaelic College out of error. And it's about time the GC is giving the local culture its due whether or not people have been having fun with this there for 70 years… and whether or not it's more fun for the kids to do irrelevant things – they remain such. Irrelevant!

        Even though they are art forms, require skill, precision, and can be fun, they're not in any way shape or form a part of Cape Breton Gaelic culture presently or historically, and that is a fact. If anything, tell me why I'm wrong in saying this.

      • Scottish immigrants landed here and took with them their cultures. They became our cultures. Highland and Pipes were two of their things which became our things. Period. The fiddle and the step dancing as well, and just because they morphed in to their own thing doesn't make them the only CB things. Highland and Pipes developed over 70 years and have remained on the Island. That makes them part of the Gaelic Culture whether you like it or not.

        I have never said anything negative about the Gaelic Culture. That is not even the point of the article. The point is that the GC has set its ways and they should remain. I have no issues with the other parts of the culture being focus, never said that once. NOR did I speak so rudely on your ideals. I have simply stated that we can all co-exist as has worked at the GC for 70 years.

      • Highland Dance and Pipebands are not irrelevant. My relatives are Scottish, and therefore I find the traditions of Scotland very relevant to my family and my culture. I have never said any of the other parts to the culture were irrelevant and have done nothing but pursue them and encourage them. Most of my good friends are in the Gaelic circle.

        Such blatant statements ~ calling something we love irrelevant because you don't choose it! Who cares what the connections 'were', it's 2012, and they are now what they will be.

      • Thank you ~ now I am listening. Putting down something others see as important doesn't make your plight more effective. For at least 70 years ~ at the GC and all over CB ~ Highland Dance has been a tradition. If you watch the percussive Highland Dances, and the Step Dancing today ~ the similarities are there. Many of the Rhythms are the same, etc.

        I spent my youth involved in the same culture as yourself. I also spent it in Highland Dance. They were deeply connected back in that day, and some of the greatest steppers from CB were Highland Dancers as well! As were their kids, and their kids. Generations.

        Margaret MacLellan Gillis (Grand Mira, but of the Margaree family) was a well respected Step Dancer in all her days. She was also a Highland Dancer, and ALL of her girls were Highland Dancers. As a matter of fact, this is who introduced myself and my sister to HD. My oldest sister was good friends with her girls, and we saw them dancing at the Gaelic College and so it began…

        Another example is the renowned Margaret MacIntyre MacPhee (born New Waterford, parents from Mabou). This is Dougie MacPhee's mother. She was a Highland Dancer, as are her grand and great grandchildren who reside in Ontario now. Her grand-daughter is a well known Highland Dance teacher. They come here EVERY summer to attend the GC. Her grand-daughter has even taught there. There is actually a memorial Highland Dance Trophy in her name!

        Just because YOU had no contact with this does not mean it did not exist! Same as the loss of generations with the fiddle history ~ much lost time passed and who knows what was going on everywhere at that time. No one does. It's silly to even pretend we all know this history 100%.

        Re your comment that it was as relevant as 'Salsa dancing' etc. Well, that is to you. It was always included at the program at Broad Cove concert ~ I danced there EVERY summer, and now some of my own students from Inverness dance there. It remains as a performance at the GC Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling…as it has for 50 years. It is danced at every Ceilidh at the GC, nearly every Festival on the Island ~ and has been included for the 40 years of my life, and the 20 years before that at least by my dance teacher! Where have you been?

        And if what you consider to be 'your' portion of the culture was pushed aside…it certainly wasn't by the Highland Dancers! How can you blame a bunch of kids that just love to dance and perform? Dear lord. We have kept included but done our own thing as well all those years. I took to Step Dancing when I started at the Gaelic College so I could learn more about my culture and the other sectors ~ it was a positive thing for myself and other Highland Dancers. We have nEVER looked down on your 'thing', why would you look down on 'ours'?

      • Also, I spent all my early GC summers performing Strathspeys, Reels and Jigs, throughout that area, to the Puirt A Beul. We traveled around with Gaelic singers at that time performing Highland Dance and Step Dance…and we learned the dancing tunes ourselves.

      • Kelly – if you are so pro Gaelic College then why did you open a school of dance? Doesn't that detract from attendance and revenue for the College?

      • No, it actually does not. The Gaelic College does not run their school on a year-round basis. The Gaelic College runs 6 weeks of a summer school program ~ with each week varying in discipline selection. Highland Dance is only offered for 2-3 weeks of the entire year.

        Children studying HD do so on a full time year round basis. The Gaelic College is a 'Workshop' format to improve and introduce youth (and adults) to these skills, which they take home with them and further with regular instruction.

        All disciplines taught at the GC are also taught by these same (as well as other) instructors on a full time basis all over the Island and world.

        There is no conflict of interest whatsoever.

      • Just asking a question Chris, no attacks whatsoever. Not many, if any of the instructors at the Gaelic College either past or present have an entire school of students that could arguably take away students from the College. Kelly answered this to the positive so that's fine. She made a valid point. There just aren't those kind of schools put on for say fiddle, dance, etc that hit the numbers of students that Kelly does. Those instructors get by (barely) on teaching 1-5 students if they're lucky. Kelly works very hard, no question and her passion is great. That is obvious. Her student numbers I don't know but it is a school of dance. Much different then one on one.

      • Daibhidh MF…Why are you not able to just identify yourself? Are you not proud of your family name? What exactly is your agenda here? It is certainly not respectful or constructive in any regard, being as you are so knowledgeable and pursuing an Honours in Celtic Studies, and a musician, Gaelic Speaker and Step Dancer. You are absolutely dead wrong in your statement that "Highland Dancing" is not relevant to our Celtic traditions. Why don't you actually attend a "Highland Games" in "Canada", Scotland or "Ireland"? Take a very long walk around the field where the "Games "are taking place. While you are at it take a very close look at how respectful everyone is regarding one another’s areas of expertise, Highland or Lowland. Really Daibhidh MF, with no disrespect, to state that "Highland Dancing" is not relevant, you would have to be blind. With regard to your connections I would have to say that if they are indeed anything like my Grandparents who spoke fluent Gaelic, Step Danced, and played the violin several times a week in our kitchen, your ancestors would be embarrassed at your ignorance in these matters.

      • Did either of your grandparents happen to highland dance? how about their parents? How about any of your ancestors? How about the ancestors of anyone you know in Gaelic Nova Scotia? Now… what was relevant to their traditions in your opinion exactly? Sure, I'm the one embarrassing my ancestors – thanks for meaning "no disrespect".

      • Thanks for not going on! I'm exhausted and this is all rather pointless – I've only been responding to personal attacks as of late. Have a good Christmas, Mary.

      • I would like to add that well known musician and step dancer, Natalie MacMaster, was a Highland Dancer for 10 years. She still dances a mix of Highland, Step and other percussive styles in her touring show. Whenever we run in to each other en route, she and I talk about our Highland Dance days together with a great respect. She competed all through these years as a dancer.

        And, as a matter of fact, it was noted in earlier posts by Ashley MacIsaac that he and Natalie both competed regularly at fiddle competitions in their youth. He said there is no way to dispute that this had an influence on their playing. (You can look through the bog to find these statements).

        He also said 'what is the gaelic culture is it is not Hihgland Dance', AND professed to be more enriched in the 'true' Gaelic culture than most commenting here.

        Do you know the late Margaret (MacLellan) Gillis ~ well respected dancer and teacher from Grand Mira North?They have a memoriam at the CB Fiddler's Fest each year. Anyway, all of her daughters were Highland Dancers and Step Dancers. This is how I got started in Highland Dance. My oldest sister was friends with her sisters (my sister was quite a bit older than we were) and she would take us to ceilidhs at their house. I always remember the 'tree' that had grown its way through her front porch!!! Of point, but a good memory. We would watch all the girls get up and dance Highland and Step and take turns. They had their kilts on and that was it! We started dancing. (By the way, her daughters are distraught with this whole ideal going on at the GC).

        I'm sure you know the late Margaret (MacIntyre) MacPhee ~ well respected pianist and dancer from New Waterford (Dougie's mom). She has a longstanding history of Highland Dancers in her family…her nieces, grand daughter and great grand children (4 in one family ~ 2 girls and 2 boys) are all Highland Dancers! The youngest come to Cape Breton each year to compete at the GC Competition and visit family, Their mom (Dougie's niece) is a dance Highland Dance teacher in Ontario now. Dougie's niece!!!).

        And also it might be interesting to note, that Alex Curries sisters step danced at competitions in North Sydney each year back in the day. He says it in several interviews. He even makes claims to playing for the Highland Flings as well as the steppers.

        I would say these people have what you call a 'relevant' standing in the Gaelic community, wouldn't you?

      • I wanted to post a couple other 'good' memories, since I feel the spirit of the battle ~ inclusion ~ has left and the battle has become negative.

        Dougie MacDonald was a good buddy of mine back in the 80's-early 90's. I actually met him at Tracey Dares house one afternoon. He was very interested in finding a way to compose choreography music for Highland Dance, and he even came to several practices I had with fellow dancers at their house in Sydney Mines and played for us while we practiced. I'm sure I still have the 'cassettes' of the music he gave me to use for Highland Dancing.

        Another very good friend of mine was Jerry Holland. We became buddies when we taught at the Gaelic College together. We ate lunch together every day and chatted re the music and dance and life! Jerry called me 'the little dancin' girl' whenever I saw him :) When Jerry was ill, he & his son, Jerry Jr, asked me and my girls to dance at the benefit concerts held around the Island. That was a big honor ~ especially to be asked to Step Dance with the likes of Hilda Chaisson and Tracey Stubbert (whom I believe to be a fabulous and sometimes under appreciated stepper). When our Step set ended at the Savoy, and the audience finished clapping, Jerry (who was in the front row) hollered 'at a girl little dancer' :)

        Anyway, these things are pointless to some I suppose ~ but they are nice memories I have of those who supported ALL the dance of Cape Breton. Open minded fiddle folk (which I believe most are) who gave the Highland gals a shot at doin their thing. Certainly a better conversation than all this finger pointing and name calling.

      • What stepdance circuit would that be exactly? A few classes here and there at the Gaelic College does not make a circuit.

        "I teach both disciplines with the knowledge of what I know from early days" –
        Do you consider yourself an expert in Stepdance? Because I know several legitimate stepdancers/ teachers who have no idea who you are.

      • Of course I don't consider myself an expert ~ in any form of dance. The issue here is not to debate either or both forms, it's the preservation on Highland Dance as it stands at the GC.

        I teach both styles with the knowledge of what I know form what I have learned from my early days of taking classes. Don't try to turn the semantics of the conversation in to something different than intended. I simply stated that I am teaching what I have learned from those teachers who taught me…Betty Matheson, Harvey Beaton, Jean MacNeil, etc. As well as what I have learned in 25 years of teaching dance alongside so many wonderful dancers who I guess you would deem 'legitimate'.

        I have been fortunate enough to step dance all over the Island and the world. I spent my youth on the square dancing 'circuit' (meaning all the halls and such). I have step danced at all the Festivals and events as well. Whether or not people know who I am is not a concern to me….I am not looking for fame. Simply passing along the culture that I love.

    • I should have said AWR MacKenzie! Sorry ~ just a mistake as I have been fielding letters all day~ Thank you.

  2. I could go on and on about this, but I'll try to make it quick. I have been a competitive highland dancer for 14 years and a teacher for 3 years. I spent the majority of my childhood summers attending the College and every class they have to offer. I've met life long friends through the college and learned important lessons and values I will never forget. What attracted me to the college? Highland dance and the amazing (often champion) teachers!! Going to the college introduced me to my life long love: pipe band drumming. If it wasn't for the Gaelic College I would not have joined a pipe band and I would not be the 4 time Atlantic Canadian Champion Supreme that I am today. I would not be who I am today if it wasn't for the Gaelic College shaping my love of both highland dance and pipe band drumming. Having taken every other class the college has I can definitely say that yes, they are all extremely important, (and fun!) especially preserving the Gaelic language and culture. However, highland dance and piping/drumming also have roots that run right into the heart of Gaelic culture. I think that ANY passion a student has for culture should be nurtured and be able to grow, whether that be dance, music or language.

  3. Dear Kelly, You are a phenomenal force as a teacher and remain with me as I continue to dance professionally. I'm grateful to know you're still a force for good in Cape Breton. In response to your letter, here is my letter to Ms. Carroll:

    Dear Ms. Carroll,

    I am a dedicated alumna of Highland dance, Gaelic language, fiddle, drumming, and stepdancing at the College. My paternal Grandmother grew up in St. Ann's, and there live my family still, whom my father has visited every year since the year he was born, as now I have over the last 30 years. I return every year not just because my Gradmother had once lived there, but also because my continuing practice of Highland keeps me connected. My dancing began at the Gaelic College.

    In 1988 at age 6 my parents enrolled me as a day student at the College where I took Highland Dance daily. Every year I returned home to Boston to modern and ballet classes, but after 4 summers at the College I asked my parents to find a Highland teacher for me at home. They told me I had to choose between Highland and ballet. I chose Highland. Every year for 10 years I returned to the College, eventually boarding so that I could continue to develop both my cultural and technical understanding of the dance.

    Because of my classes over 10 years at the College I was able to perform Highland professionally in the United States and share the form with not only Scottish-American audiences but also with the audiences drawn to my modern work as well. I am now a professional dancer in New York City, and I continue to choreograph harnessing Highland vocabulary and both Cape Breton and Scottish music. I return to St. Ann's every summer, visit the College, attend concerts, and through Highland forge new connections with local musicians and with my own family.

    My life without dance at the College would have developed dramatically differently. I recognize your concern for focusing on the Gaelic language. Know that only because of the dance there did I also take Gaelic language with Catriona and Hector, as well as fiddle, step, and drumming. Know that only because of taking Highland dance have I been so eager to share Cape Breton's culture with family and friends in the United States. Know that only because of the dance there am I able to actively participate in the ceilidh at the church nearest to my late Grandmother's home.

    I ask you to continue to offer Highland dance, piping, and drumming. These have an essential home at the College, and I envision a future on the island emptier culturally and economically without them.

    Sincerely,
    Anna Brown Massey
    Granddaughter of Margaret Carmichael Massey

    — <a href="http://www.annabrownmassey.com” target=”_blank”>www.annabrownmassey.com
    January 2012 is Nachmo 3
    Join or support at nationalchoreographymonth.org

  4. If the people now running the institution don't appreciate tradition why are they running it? If the desire is to modernize the culture then offer new options and see what people are interested in doing. If the desire is to impress the world with themselves then the world will be impressed by the ability to destroy the institution. Culture is hard to change when there is no consensus or desire to do so. I have seen this type of short sighted change of direction before, I have never seen it succeed. Who does this place represent? Who can be heard asking the tough questions and who is going to fix the mess if the new direction fails?

  5. As a Cape Bretoner living away from home, I'd like to see the best of both worlds. I feel the Island's two biggest assets are its scenery and roots; in a place where young people continue to migrate elsewhere, investing in both highland dance and language will help to preserve the roots that may otherwise be lost.

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