Caidreabh nan Gàidheal | Nova Scotia Gaels Jam

15-20 dhe’ n Chiad Mhìos an Earraich | February 15-20, 2024

Taqamiku’jk, Mi’kma’ki | Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

www.novascotiagaelsjam.org

Gabh a’ sàs! | Apply now!

Priority deadline: December 15th, 2023

Final deadline: January 15th, 2024

Beannachdan oirbh! | Greetings friend!

It is our honour to invite you to apply to participate in the 10th Anniversary Nova Scotia Gaels Jam! This Jam will connect 25 diverse, engaged, and committed leaders from across Nova Scotia and beyond for a week of deep listening, sharing, self-discovery, systemic inquiry, and community building. It will take place from Thursday, February 15, to Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at the Tatamagouche Centre in beautiful Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. 

Gu dé is rùn dha ‘n Chaidreabh? | What is the intention of the Jam?

The Jam is not a conference, seminar or a typical meeting. It is a time to build friendship, community, and connection. Together, we will explore life’s big questions, take an honest, courageous and loving look at the struggles we face as human beings living in these times, and take steps to reclaim our cultural identity in a positive way.  We will slow down and take time for vulnerability, truth-telling, risk-taking, and deep listening. The Jam is a unique opportunity to engage in deep conversation on a level that is rare in our societies. 

During our time together, we will reflect on the personal, interpersonal, and systemic levels:

Gu pearsanta | On the personal level, we reflect on our life journeys and what makes us who we are today.  We’ll grow in self-knowledge, face our fears, access our hearts, and open our minds to move more boldly in the world.  It is a time to recharge and renew and to experience self-care and personal sustainability.

Ri chéile | On the interpersonal level, we come together to share our culture, our stories and our struggles, to deepen our understanding of each other and of ourselves. We explore the ways in which we work together to effectively move through moments of difficulty and conflict.

Gu bunaiteach | On the systemic level, we will seek to become clearer about our vision and work in our communities and the world. We will link issues that aren’t commonly linked, notice crucial intersection points, and get a clearer picture of the whole. In turn, we hope each participant will  feel deepened and renewed in their capacity to affect meaningful positive change and carry their dreams forward.

Am bi e ‘cur iongnaidh ort … ? | Have you ever wondered … ?

• Who am I and how do I find meaning in a society where everything seems to be for sale?
• Is there room for the songs, stories, and wisdom of our ancestors?  Can what is ancient help us build resilience right now? 
• How can I create space for community within busy lives and a disconnected world? How do I nurture deep human-to-human connections while the world seems ever more divided? 
• What does it mean to be a Gael? What can I learn about my heritages and ancestors that might support me, root me down, and help me thrive in 2023?
• How do we recognize and make space for the diversity within Gaelic communities – along race, gender, sexuality, class, religion?
• How has colonization impacted the aliveness of our languages? How can language be a practice of decolonization?
• How can I make space for, hold, and unpack the impacts of intergenerational trauma?
• How do we honour and connect with the places we find ourselves, even if this is not where our ancestors called home?
• … what else are you wondering?

You are not alone in your wondering! We would be honoured to reflect and dream with you this February. 

Mu ‘n Ghàidhealtachd an Albainn Nuaidh | About Gaelic Nova Scotia

Gaels from the Highlands and islands of Scotland brought Gaelic language and culture to what is now known as Nova Scotia beginning in the 18th century. (It is estimated that as many as 40% of people living in Nova Scotia today have Gaelic ancestry.) Today, despite many assimilationist efforts, Nova Scotians continue to speak the Gaelic language, sing the songs, and live the culture. Today’s Gaels are diverse. Many of us have mixed ancestry and we are happy to welcome newcomers to our community – whatever your ancestry. Please join us as we bring together old ways and new. 

Có dha a tha an Caidreabh? | Who is the Nova Scotia Gaels Jam for?

YOU are invited to submit an application today. 

We are eager to learn from and with Nova Scotians and Gaels from around the world. We are creating our most diverse jam yet. If any of these describe you, we welcome you to apply: 

• You’re a Gaelic speaker or learner from anywhere in the world wanting to connect more deeply with the Gaelic community and tradition. (All levels of language learners are welcome, from fluent to “I just started Duolingo last week…”!)
• You feel a connection to Gaelic music, culture, and identity, even if you don’t speak the language.
• You’re a Nova Scotian who’s curious about your ancestry and identity, and how you might fit in the Gaelic community.
• You’re Mi’kmaw, Acadian, African Nova Scotian, or part of one of the hundreds of minority language and cultural communities that make up our province and you’re wanting to be in community with others seeking to strengthen connection to culture in these times. 
• You’re new to Nova Scotia and wanting to build community and learn more about this place and its history.
• You’re a person longing to connect with others on a human-to-human level.

At the Jam, your whole self will be welcomed: all of your identities, experiences, hurts, and hopes. We are longing to connect with you. Please apply! 

Mion-fhiosrachadh | A Few Practical Details

Cosgais | Cost: We are deeply grateful to receive support for this event from the Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs, a division of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage. This allows us to offer the Jam at an affordable and flexible rate. We are committed to fairly compensating our organizers and facilitators while keeping this event as accessible as possible – especially while the costs of so many things continue to go up. Thank you in advance for your support!

Regular cost: The (subsidized) cost of the Jam, including accommodation, meals, and facilitation, is $585. This includes the entire cost of your lodging and delicious food for the week, as well as all programming, Jam sessions, evening ceilidhs and more. The only costs not included are transportation to and from Nova Scotia/ the Tatamagouche center.  

We need your help!: Your donation above the base cost will help us offer scholarships and bursaries to those who can’t afford the full cost. Your donation will be warmly and gratefully received. Please thoughtfully consider what you are able to give. All donations are tax-deductible. 

If you need support: We really hope money will not be a barrier to your attending the Jam. If this amount feels like a barrier to your participation, please reach out to us so we can talk possibilities, including payment plans. We’d love to find a way to make it work so that you can attend.

Àite | Location: The Jam will be held at the beautiful Tatamagouche Centre in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. The property features comfortable common rooms, a labyrinth, walking trails, and scenic views. Accommodation is mostly in shared rooms. Private rooms are available for an additional cost of $150. 

Cùram-cloinneadh | Childcare: It is our hope to provide onsite childcare. Please let us know if this is something that would help you attend. 

Siubhal | Transportation: Unfortunately, there is no public transportation available to Tatamagouche. However, we will do everything we can to arrange ride sharing among participants. Please let us know if you are able to provide a drive or if you will need a drive. 

Biadh | Meals: The kitchen at the Tatamagouche Centre provides delicious, homemade meals and snacks. Every effort will be made to accommodate your dietary requirements. 

Gabh a’ sàs! | Apply now!

Priority deadline: December 15th, 2023

Final deadline: January 15th, 2024

Có tha ‘ga chur air dòigh? | Who is putting on the Nova Scotia Gaels Jam?

The Jam is being organized and facilitated by a dynamic team:

Alison Etter

If there’s one thing Alison dislikes, it’s writing a biography! But, nevertheless, here’s a bit about her: She grew up in Lunenburg County, was ordained as a United Church minister in 2011, and immediately moved to Cape Breton. Then she started right away working on learning Gaelic in the community. It’s a weird time to be a minister; churches are really struggling to be relevant in today’s world. But Alison believes the things that drew her to the role are really universal: a desire to connect deeply on a human level, compassion, patience, and a willingness to listen, and a vibrant vision of a future filled with healing and hope. A few things Alison loves: reading, singing, talking to kids, looking at seaweed and other treasures on the beach. (On January 1, 2022, she was walking on the beach and a guy had his disabled parrot with him and the splash of bright colour was so amazing she hasn’t stopped thinking about it.) Alison attended the first Gaels Jam in 2013 and was so thankful for the opportunity to explore life’s challenges on a meaningful level. And she is so excited to welcome you to this 10th Anniversary Gaels Jam. 

Òmar Bhochanan | Amber Buchanan

Amber is a committed and engaged leader in the Gaelic community and has been learning and sharing her language and culture for the past 14 years.  She has an unwavering passion and gift for bringing people together to find deep connection, compassion, understanding,  healing, and growth.  Amber draws upon her deep Gaelic roots as well as many international experiences and connections for strength and guidance in the work she does.  She’s been jamming for the past seven years in Canada, the USA, Mexico, India, Thailand and Turkey. 

Heather Foran

Heather is an ever-aspiring community organizer, facilitator, educator, and gardener. As a white, middle class, queer person she has committed to living and working where she grew up in southern Maine – and because of that is constantly learning about change: in herself, in her community, and the land around her. Heather currently works at the Cooperative Development Institute supporting workers to convert existing businesses to worker cooperatives. She is also a member and board member of the Southern Maine Workers’ Center and the Restaurant Workers’ Coalition. Since she was a teenager, her life has had many iterations of leaving and coming home – she co-founded the Field Academy, a travel-based high school program that explores critical social and environmental issues in regions of the United States. Heather went to her first jam in 2007 and since then jamming has shaped and continues to expand what she believes is possible.

Sionainn ni’n Aonghais | Shannon MacMullin

Shannon began Jamming in 2013 and has since facilitated several Jams and mini-Jams, including an all-Gàidhlig weekend, and attended the North American Jam in California in 2016. She believes Jamming offers an all-important opportunity to connect in community, to work through conflict together, to play, to listen and to share. She loves time with the family and remembering how to play with the little grandboys keeps her feeling young. She is on a journey to become a good ancestor. She loves laughing, dancing, and learning.  She’s passionate about celebrating Gàidhlig language and culture and creating spaces for Gaels to gather.

Roan Elspeth Coughtry

Roan (they/them) is a writer, facilitator, coach and healing artist hailing from New York and Atlanta and living in Qbajjar, Gozo. With a background in social work, activism and somatics, their work weaves together ancestral healing, embodied practice, and the liberatory power of desire. As a queer and nonbinary sex educator, they center the importance of pleasure, desire, and reclamation of the body as essential practices toward healing and liberation. They work specifically with white folks in the US around ancestral healing and co-creating white anti-racist culture and practices. Among other things, they’re a facilitant of global YES! Jams, a writer for the international feminist organization VOICE, and a member of the visionary Decolonize Race Project. They’re a forever nerd and are currently studying herbalism, Scottish Gaelic, linguistics, and Celtic mythology and folklore. Learn more at www.roancoughtry.com .  

Tha sibh air ur cuireadh! | You are invited!

Our team would like to welcome you to apply for the Jam. Feel free to share this invitation with others who might be interested. And do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

With best wishes and love,

Alison, Roan, Heather, Amber, and Shannon

Aithneachadh na Tìre | Acknowledgement of unceded territory:

We acknowledge what is now known as Nova Scotia is part of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. Through the centuries, Gaels have held many close friendships with Mi’kmaw people and shared family and community bonds. Gaels also took part in colonization, forced assimilation, and the theft of land. As Gaels, it is our deep desire to restore relationships, respect the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, and honour the land. Msit no’kmaq. | All our relations.