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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A Chairdean (Dear Friends)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Highland Council (Scotland) have
hardened their stance and are continuing with their plans to replace the
one and only Gaelic speaker in their Child Care Team with a monolingual English
speaker. This will mean that no-one in the team will be able to liase with
parents, children and staff in their own language. Gaelic will no longer be
fully integrated with local government in this field.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> For a language like Gaelic to
survive, which only has around 60, 000 speakers, it needs to be fully integrated
at all levels of society. It needs to be seen and heard as a language of
prestige, not as a second class "oddity" on the periphery.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> If you haven't already done so,
please answer this appeal and help Gaelic remain a fully integrated language in
this region. Winning battles like these will be extremely important in the
months ahead, when, once again, Gaelic campaigners and concerned members of
the public will submit a petition to the Scottish Parliament demanding "Secure
Status" for Gaelic. This, we hope, will give it the legal protection it needs.
Campaigns like these show there is public and international concern which makes
a Secure Status Act more likely. But there must be pressure. Without it,
governments just sweep these things under the carpet.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I have enclosed a copy of my
original post and hope you will take the time to send even a short email to
Highland Council on this issue.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From: David Wilson <<A
href="mailto:djj.wilson@virgin.net">djj.wilson@virgin.net</A>><BR>To: <<A
href="mailto:endangered-languages-l@cleo.murdoch.edu.au">endangered-languages-l@cleo.murdoch.edu.au</A>><BR>Subject:
ELL: Gaelic Campaign<BR>Date: 20 June 2001 21:36</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear List Members,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> The Gaelic language and Gaelic
Medium Education (GME) have often been marginalized and severely constrained by
Local Authorities in Scotland. Many of these Councils have little interest in
supporting GME, because, unlike English medium education, GME is not protected
by law. Councils often think they can act with impunity and reduce the Gaelic
service to the lowest common denominator.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> In the near future, Highland
Council's Gaelic Medium early education Officer will be leaving the Child Care
Team. They are to be replaced with a monoglot English speaker. No matter how
well intentioned or trained, such a replacement is unlikely to fully understand
and appreciate the ethos, culture and working practices of GME. This will mean
there will be NO Gaelic speakers in the Child Care Tean, forcing all parents,
children and staff to deal with this Officer and the Council in
English.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Highland Council have refused to
discuss the matter and are pressing ahead without consultation. It is important
that pressure is brought to bear upon the Council. As I said earlier, GME is not
protected by law.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> If you wish to help in the
campaign, please put the following questions to the people below and express
your own concerns about Gaelic.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. Why no Gaelic speaking personnel have been hired
to fill the vacancy ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Has the Council looked for a Gaelic
speaking replacement ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Does the Council plan to hire a Gaelic speaker
to deal with the needs of GME ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Please send your emails to;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>David Green (Highland Council Convenor) at; <A
href="mailto:david.green.cllr@highland.gov.uk">david.green.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A><BR>Bruce
Anderson (Director of Education) at; <A
href="mailto:bruce.robertson@highland.gov.uk">bruce.robertson@highland.gov.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gaelic needs legal protection. This can only be
legislated for by the Scottish Parlaiment, so please send copies to the relevent
Ministers......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>First Minister, Henry McLeish.<BR><A
href="mailto:henry.mcleish.msp@scottish.parliament.uk">henry.mcleish.msp@scottish.parliament.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Education Minister, Jack McConnell.<BR><A
href="mailto:jack.mcconnell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk">jack.mcconnell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> It would also be most helpful if
you could send copies to all the members of the Council. This will increase the
pressure and help bring about change. Simply paste and copy the entire list
below into your copies box. If the list is too large for your service
provider, it can be broken in to smaller segments.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:andrew.anderson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">andrew.anderson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:duncan.allan.cllr@highland.gov.uk">duncan.allan.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:david.alston.cllr@highland.gov.uk">david.alston.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:roderick.balfour.cllr@highland.gov.uk">roderick.balfour.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:allan.beaton.cllr@highland.gov.uk">allan.beaton.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:stuart.black.cllr@highland.gov.uk">stuart.black.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:douglas.briggs.cllr@highland.gov.uk">douglas.briggs.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:george.bruce.cllr@highland.gov.uk">george.bruce.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:peter.cairns.cllr@highland.gov.uk">peter.cairns.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:isabelle.campbell.cllr@highland.gov.uk">isabelle.campbell.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:neil.clark.cllr@highland.gov.uk">neil.clark.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:john.cole.cllr@highland.gov.uk">john.cole.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:peter.corbett.cllr@highland.gov.uk">peter.corbett.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:garry.coutts.cllr@highland.gov.uk">garry.coutts.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:margaret.davidson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">margaret.davidson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:angus.dick.cllr@highland.gov.uk">angus.dick.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:norrie.donald.cllr@highland.gov.uk">norrie.donald.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:morris.downie.cllr@highland.gov.uk">morris.downie.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:basil.dunlop.cllr@highland.gov.uk">basil.dunlop.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:richard.durham.cllr@highland.gov.uk">richard.durham.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:michael.finlayson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">michael.finlayson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:rita.finlayson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">rita.finlayson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>;
<A
href="mailto:david.flear.cllr@highland.gov.uk">david.flear.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:drmichael.foxley.cllr@highland.gov.uk">drmichael.foxley.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:clive.goodman.cllr@highland.gov.uk">clive.goodman.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:angus.gordon.cllr@highland.gov.uk">angus.gordon.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:jimmy.gray.cllr@highland.gov.uk">jimmy.gray.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:john.green.cllr@highland.gov.uk">john.green.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:janet.home.cllr@highland.gov.uk">janet.home.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:barbara.jardine.cllr@highland.gov.uk">barbara.jardine.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:francis.keith.cllr@highland.gov.uk">francis.keith.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:charles.king.cllr@highland.gov.uk">charles.king.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:ron.lyon.cllr@highland.gov.uk">ron.lyon.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A> ;
<A
href="mailto:alastair.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk">alastair.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<A
href="mailto:eilidh.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk">eilidh.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:olwyn.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk">olwyn.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A> ;
<A
href="mailto:william.maclachlan.cllr@highland.gov.uk">william.maclachlan.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:liz.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk">liz.macdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:drew.mcfarlane.slack.cllr@highland.gov.uk">drew.mcfarlane.slack.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:ewen.mackinnon.cllr@highland.gov.uk">ewen.mackinnon.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:roy.macintyre.cllr@highland.gov.uk">roy.macintyre.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:sandy.mackenzie.cllr@highland.gov.uk">sandy.mackenzie.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:margaret.maclennan.cllr@highland.gov.uk">margaret.maclennan.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:ella.macrae.cllr@highland.gov.uk">ella.macrae.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:gillian.mccreath.cllr@highland.gov.uk">gillian.mccreath.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:alison.magee.cllr@highland.gov.uk">alison.magee.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:john.matheson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">john.matheson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:kathleen.matheson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">kathleen.matheson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A><BR>;
<A
href="mailto:drew.millar.cllr@highland.gov.uk">drew.millar.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:brian.murphy.cllr@highland.gov.uk">brian.murphy.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:james.oag.cllr@highland.gov.uk">james.oag.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:sandy.park.cllr@highland.gov.uk">sandy.park.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:andrew.paterson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">andrew.paterson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:james.paterson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">james.paterson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:margaret.paterson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">margaret.paterson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:david.philip.cllr@highland.gov.uk">david.philip.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:alasdair.rhind.cllr@highland.gov.uk">alasdair.rhind.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:john.rosie.cllr@highland.gov.uk">john.rosie.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:william.ross.cllr@highland.gov.uk">william.ross.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:bernard.salmon.cllr@highland.gov.uk">bernard.salmon.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:roger.saxon.cllr@highland.gov.uk">roger.saxon.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:gavin.scott.moncrieff.cllr@highland.gov.uk">gavin.scott.moncrieff.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:robert.severn.cllr@highland.gov.uk">robert.severn.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:jack.shiels.cllr@highland.gov.uk">jack.shiels.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:sheena.slimon.cllr@highland.gov.uk">sheena.slimon.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:graeme.smith.cllr@highland.gov.uk">graeme.smith.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:william.smith.cllr@highland.gov.uk">william.smith.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:deirdre.steven.cllr@highland.gov.uk">deirdre.steven.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:angus.sutherland.cllr@highland.gov.uk">angus.sutherland.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:james.thomson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">james.thomson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:lou.wilkerson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">lou.wilkerson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
; <A
href="mailto:carolyn.wilson.cllr@highland.gov.uk">carolyn.wilson.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A>
;<BR><A
href="mailto:robert.wynd.cllr@highland.gov.uk">robert.wynd.cllr@highland.gov.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Many thanks for your help.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>David Wilson.</FONT></DIV>
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