Gaelic Affairs works with government and other partners to advance the linguistic, cultural and economic development of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic community. This includes acting as a liaison between government and the community, providing and helping to access resources, and collaborating with regional and international groups to promote the Gaelic experience in Nova Scotia.
The role of Gaelic Affairs
The work of Gaelic Affairs is focused on the renewal of Gaelic so that it remains a vital part of Nova Scotia. This involves facilitating the learning and passing on of the Gaelic language and creating greater appreciation of Gaelic culture.
The role of Gaelic Affairs includes:
- Promoting Gaelic's value and contribution to the province
- Supporting innovative language and cultural programs that meet the needs of the Gaelic community
- Facilitating dialogue with government and community partners on strategies and policies that support Gaelic development
- Creating learning materials for use by instructors and Gaelic learners
- Training for Gaelic instructors
- Assisting and supporting community initiatives and projects
- Providing translation services
- Collaborating with international partners to increase Gaelic learning opportunities and cultural exchange
Programs
We encourage and welcome applications from the community to our programming throughout the year (some of our programs have fixed deadlines and others have an ongoing intake). To receive an application form for any of our programs or for questions and further information, Contact us.
Gaelic Language and Culture in the Community
The purpose of the Gaelic Language and Culture in Community Program (GLIC) is to increase opportunities for Nova Scotians to learn and speak Gaelic and to deepen connection, knowledge and appreciation of Nova Scotia’s distinct Gaelic culture and tradition.
Application due dates: March 15, June 15, November 15
Program Guidelines (146kb PDF)
Program Closure Report (2MB PDF)
Mentoring Program: Bun is Bàrr (Root and Branch)
Gaelic Affairs offers and supports Gaelic mentoring programs that provide Gaelic learners with opportunities to improve their Gaelic language and cultural competency. Based on a social learning model, the programming matches learners with fluent speakers who use Gaelic in every-day, social and cultural situations and strives to create Gaelic speakers that practice, share, celebrate and champion Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia. To learn more about Bun is Bàrr you can read the previous application Contact us.
Bun is Bàrr Expression of Interest (PDF)
Dian-oideas na Gàidhlig / Gaelic Intensive Immersion
Dian-oideas na Gàidhlig / Gaelic Intensive Immersion (A Gaelic Cultural Activities Support4Culture Initiative) is a program designed for organizations that support Gaelic language learning through the Gàidhlig aig Baile (Gaelic in Community) method which is focused on bringing students to speaking and understanding Gaelic language by conducting everyday activities, games and conversation in a total Gaelic language immersion environment, recreating the way a child learns their first language. Delivered by highly fluent instructor(s), activities are carried out with the help of non-verbal communication, props and repetition.
Program Guidelines (English, 180kb PDF)
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Organizations are requested to make funding submissions 6 months in advance of project start date.
Gaelic Language Bursary (Scotland)
In an effort to support Gaelic language acquisition and use in 2011 the Scottish Government, via funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig established a Gaelic language bursary program.
Administered by the Office of Gaelic Affairs, this bursary program is designed to support Nova Scotia, Canada based Gaelic language learners with travel, meals and accommodation costs in Scotland while working on acquiring and using Gaelic language and further experiencing its cultural expression.
Gaelic Cultural and Youth Activities Program
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Organizations are requested to make funding submissions 6 months in advance of project start date.
Program Guidelines (135kb PDF)