From the 2014 Gael Jam in Nova Scotia By Amber Buchanan. Just a bit about me My name is Amber Buchanan and Im a ninth generation Gael living in Cape Breton. I have been working with and teaching Gaelic in a variety of capacities over the last six years in the province. Ive worked at the Highland Village Musuem, Colaisde na Gàidhlig, An Drochaid Eadarainn, Mira Road Elementary and most recently Im acting as a mentor for two young Gaels in Na Gaisgich Òga. I helped organize the 2013 Gaels Jam and Im really honoured and excited to be a part of the 2014 Jam! Im currently in my second year of the Bachelor of Arts program at Cape Breton University and majoring in Political Science. Im passionate about travel, language, culture, community, local living, non-violent communication, yoga, friends and family, especially my four year old daughter Sadie bheag. What Im most excited about right now is applying to spend a year at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig where my daughter could also spend her first year of school in a Gaelic medium school! After attending two Jams (one in Thailand and one in California), I felt extremely inspired and excited to bring this kind of event to our Nova Scotian Gaelic community. Last years Jam was more than I could have hoped for in that it brought together a beautiful group of passionate individuals, who came wholeheartedly willing to participate for the love of their culture and community. Before the Gaels Jam last year I was personally carrying guilt in the work that I do in the Gaelic community. I never felt like I was doing enough, because it was easy to look around and feel scared that my language and culture will not thrive to the degree I want it to. I felt isolated from the Gaelic community for a variety of reasons. By the safe and open space last years participants and facilitators created I felt able to express my vulnerability about these things. The amount of acceptance, love, generosity, gratitude and happiness that I experienced with other participants has helped free myself from these limitations. After last years Jam I feel closer and more connected to my Gaelic community, accepting, creating, and embodying my position and role in the community, whatever that my be and however that may change in time. I feel like Im more able to bridge the gap between my traditional self, and the self that loves to travel the world and speak other languages too. The positive feedback from last years participants was overwhelming. It is my hope that we can build on what we started to last year, opening the door to many more young Gaels who are passionate and committed to their language and culture. It is my hope that, in creating this Jam, our community will be even more connected and woven even more tightly. We all see each other from time to time at milling frolics, festivals and events in the community but its rare that we have much of a chance for extended time with each other talking about the community: Where are things going? What trends do we see? What is giving us the most hope? Whats working well? What isnt? What ideas do we have for future projects? Im certain that with such a wonderful group of people gathering together, the positive results will be endless. I know that peoples enthusiasm and excitement, simply for being together, will result in beautiful project ideas for the future (though thats not the point of the gathering). I sincerely hope that we can create some mentorships and group support systems that will last until we can gather again. I want people to feel (and be) supported in their projects, hopes, dreams and lives in general. I want to see our Gaelic youth strong and celebrated, with a firm foundation from which to pass our traditions onto others. Besides this, I also just want my Gaelic people together for a week of hanging out between sessions, singing, dancing, playing music and telling stories.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:57:42 +0000
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