Newton - Seanchaidh na coille = The memory-keeper of the forest: anthology of the Scottish-Gaelic literature of Canada

Do dhEin G. MacFhionghain
Caraid nan Gidheal Canadach

Portrait from the archives of the Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.
79-1005-3985. ca.1910. Photographer Unknown.

Praise for Seanchaidh na Coille
The Memory-Keeper of The Forest

An t-Ollamh Roibeart Dunbar
Cathair Chnanan, Litreachais, Eachdraidh agus rsaidheachdan
Ceilteach, Ceannard Roinn na Ceiltis agus Elas na h-Alba
Oilthigh Dhn ideann

S e an cruinneachadh saoibhir seo de bhrdachd agus rosg Gidhlig Canada na chruinneachadh as iomlaine dhen litreachas sin a bha againn a-riamh, agus bidh e na ghoireas snraichte, gun choimeas fad bhliadhnaichean mra san m ri teachd. Tha an t-Oll. Newton air obair shuaicheanta a dhanamh ann a bhith a lorg agus a mneachadh gu gleusta an uiread de stuth taitneach, agus anns an digh sin a sealltainn dhuinn cho iomadh-fhillte is a bha agus a tha beatha nan Gidheal anns gach ite air feadh Chanada anns am faighear iad. Bidh na h-eadar-theangachaidhean ealanta aige air leth feumail do leughadairean gun Ghidhlig. Bidh an leabhar barraichte seo cho feumail is a ghabhas do sgoilearan agus oileanaich, do luchd-rannsachaidh, agus do dhuine sam bith aig a bheil idh anns a phirt chudromaich seo ann an eachdraidh de dh ioma-chultarachd agus ioma-chnanas Chanada, agus ann an cultar na Gidhlig san fharsaingeachd.

Dr. Robert Dunbar
Chair of Celtic Languages, Literature, History and Antiquities,
Head of Celtic and Scottish Studies
University of Edinburgh

This extremely rich collection of Gaelic poetry and prose literature from Canada is the single most comprehensive collection of such material we have ever had, and will be an outstanding and unique resource for a long time to come. Dr. Newton has done a remarkable job in retrieving and expertly contextualizing a large amount of fascinating material, showing the rich variety and national extent of the Gaelic experience in Canada. His sensitive and skillful translations open up this material to an English-speaking readership. This outstanding book will be of inestimable value to students, researchers and anyone interested in an important strand in Canadas multicultural and multilingual identity and in Gaelic culture more generally.

Lodaidh MacFhionghain, Tagraiche dha na Gidheil, Ceannard
Iomairtean na Gidhlig is Brd

Tha an co-chruinneachadh seo a toirt am follais ann am faclan is an cnan nan Gidheal fhin aig a robh ts ann an Gidhealtachd na h-Albann an eachdraidh cho-fhillte, m-bhreithnichte, dhoilleir fad linntean anns a Cho-chomann Chanideanach agus an lmh a bhaca air Uachdaranachd Chanada. Tha e a sealltainn do mhuinntir Chanada cho fada is farsuing s a bha tuineachadh nan Gidheal aig m a Cho-chaidreachais: na suidheachaidhean poileataigeach, sisealta is eaconamach a mhchaich cha mhr an cnan agus an dearbh-aithne chultarach; agus tha e a snrachadh na h-aon mh r -roinneadh s an dthaich s a l an diugh far a bheil Gidheil agus a Ghidhlig agus a cultar a leanaid agus a fantainn mar choimhearsnachd bhe; is mar a s urrainn dhan roinn seo a bhith na goireas do fheadhainn a tha airson ceangal s r a dhanadh rin dualchas Ghidhealach ann an roinntean eile na dthcha. S ann s a leabhar seo goireas eireachdail do dhuine sam bith a tha sgrobhadh neo a bruidhinn air, no a cur an gnomh, iomairtean a bhuineas dha na Gidheil is an cnan is an cultar anns a cho-theacsa Chanideanach.

Lewis MacKinnon, Poet, Gaels Advocate and Executive Director of Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs

This anthology brings to light in the words and language of the Gaels themselves whose origins were the Highlands and Islands of Scotland their long, complex, misunderstood, obscure history in Canadian Society and their role in the Canadian State. Newton demonstrates to Canadians how far and widespread the settlement of Gaels was at the time of Confederation: the political, social and economic circumstances that almost smothered their language and cultural identity. The only remaining jurisdiction in the country, Nova Scotia, is where Gaels and their language and culture persist in a vestigial and active communal sense, and can be an asset to those who want to reconnect with their Gaelic heritage in other regions of the country. For anyone who is writing on, speaking of or establishing initiatives pertaining to Gaels and their language and culture in the Canadian context, this book is an excellent resource.