Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir (the Baltimore Gaelic School) will hold the third online event in its Facing Our History series Sunday, Oct. 3, a discussion of the impact of colonialism on Scottish Gaels, their involvement in colonialism, and how Scottish Gaels and their descendents can become allies of indigenous peoples. This will be the first episode in the series where the guest comes from a Gàidhealtachd; in this case the Nova Scotia Gàidhealtachd, Òmar Bhochanan/Amber Buchanan.

Òmar Bhochanan / Amber Buchanan

Òmar is a partner and consultant in Inside Out, a Gàidhlig and yoga teacher, a weaver, and a Gaelic activist who lives on the Bras d’Or lake in Grass Cove, Mi’kma’ki/Cape Breton Island. She teaches Gàidhlig language and traditional cultural practices both in community and at Baile Nan Gàidheal/the Highland Village Museum, and has also been building connections between Gaels and Cape Breton’s Indigenous people, the Mi’kmaq, noticing similarities and celebrating uniqueness with the intention to forge peace, friendship and collective resilience.

Scott Morrison, co-founder and head of school at the Baltimore Gaelic School will join Òmar in a discussion about her Gaelic community’s historical, environmental, and cultural impact on the region, and their efforts to redress relationships with Indigenous nations.

How can colonizers become allies of indigenous people? Join Baltimore’s Gaelic Learning Community to learn more in this unique online program. Registration is free and is available here.