Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council Awards

The award is presented annually by the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to a community that demonstrates the value it places on the presence of arts and culture in community life. Funded from the Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund, the award carries a cash value of $10,000. The recipient is required to apply the award to continuing the integration of arts and culture within the community.

Comunn Féis an Eilein is very proud to have been named as the 2012 recipient of the Community Arts Presentation Award. Our organization and the community of Christmas Island was short listed in 2010 and 2011. The nomination was prepared by Féis supporter and contributor Betty Lord and was accompanied by 16 letters of support from area youth and other individuals and by Gaelic organizations and municipal and other government representatives.

Members of the Féis travelled to Halifax in October when CBRM Councilor Mae Rowe accepted the award on behalf of the municipality.

The award was officially recognized at the December meeting of the CBRM council in Sydney when Mae presented the check to Féis Co-Chairs Beth MacNeil and Debi MacNeil and the following proclamation was read:

Proclamation

“Féis An Eilein – Christmas Island Community – Community Arts & Culture Recognition Award”

Whereas: The Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council plays a role in celebrating excellence in arts and culture across the province and hosts the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala which celebrates the achievements of Nova Scotia artists, arts organizations and cultural communities;

And Whereas: On October 26th, 2012 The nomination of “Féis An Eilein” from the Christmas Island Community which was accompanied by 16 letters of support from individuals and organizations was successful and the Society was presented with the prestigious Community Arts and Culture Recognition Award.

This award totaling $10,000.00 supports the integration of arts and culture into community life;

And Whereas: This community-based non-profit Gaelic cultural organization has been at the forefront of the revitalization of Gaelic language and culture for 23 years;

And Whereas: The organization has been promoting and preserving the language through the provision of numerous opportunities for interaction with the culture through community based activities including the annual week-long festival Féis an Eilein, the weekly Gaelic Concert Series, the Summer Music Program which provides area youth with instruction in Gaelic language and the Gaelic Arts, the creation of a highly respected CD of traditional Gaelic performances and a full length documentary created to celebrate their 20th anniversary, working to increase the provision of Gaelic language opportunities in the local school, sponsorship of community Gaelic learning classes throughout the year, assisting other like-minded cultural organizations, creating awareness of Cape Breton’s Gaelic cultural heritage, which generates economic activity in the CBRM through increased visitation by cultural tourists, and provision of employment opportunities to numerous area youth and hundreds of Gaelic resource personnel and traditional entertainers;

And Whereas: These initiatives  are supported by the residents of the community of Christmas Island and surrounding area, government and institutions, and the generosity of our Gaelic tradition –bearers;

Be It Therefore Resolved: That CBRM Mayor and Council go on record in recognizing the efforts of the volunteer members of the Féis An Eilein who have been at the forefront of the movement for the rejuvenation of Gaelic language and culture and have advanced the Gaelic cultural interest through programs, activities, promotions, and cooperation with other Gaelic based organizations.

Councillor Mae Rowe – District #13 – CBRM

Approved by CBRM Mayor and Council on the 11th day of December, 2012