The Canadian Celtic Arts Association

Celtic Peoples of Canada and their Impact on the Nation

In 2011, Statistics Canada reported that out of Canada’s population of 32.8 million citizens, 9.67 million identify as Celtic.[1] Celtic-Canadians represent 29.8% of the population and are more represented than the English or the French. These numbers suggest to me that the Celts, many of whom arrived prior to and shortly after Confederation would have had an influence on Canada as a nation.[2] Their influence is apparent in various aspects of Canadian culture, including the creation of organizations such as the Canadian Celtic Arts Association (CCAA).

The Canadian Celtic Arts Association

The Canadian Celtic Arts Association Founding Member Invitation. Source: Special Collections, Irish Arts, John M. Kelly Library.

In 1979, the CCAA was established in close connection with the Celtic Studies Program at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto.[3] The goal of the CCAA, as shown in my object – the founding member form (See Image 1), was to: “Provide a forum for artistic and literary events, meetings, seminars, programs, festivals, of all the Celtic communities in Canada – Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Breton, Cornish, and Manx.”[4] It would provide a “Meeting-place for all persons interested in sharing or knowing more about these cultures […] [and a forum] to participate in the multicultural and cross-cultural life of Toronto and other parts of Canada.”[5] The Association inspired to teach the Toronto public, including those who identified with one of the Celtic nations and those who did not, about Celtic culture – both past and present.

The Canadian Celtic Arts emblem as displayed on their website and newsletters. Source: Canadian Celtic Arts Association Website.

Over the years, the CCAA hosted: lectures on Celtic history and archaeology, held film screenings, storytelling evenings, Celtic fairs, theatre outings, Robbie Burns dinners, and provided historical walking tours of neighbourhoods of Toronto where immigrants from Celtic nations settled.[6] Unfortunately, in 2013, due to declining numbers of new immigrant recruits to the association and financial difficulties, the era of the CCAA came to an end.[7]

Celtic Influences in Canada

Although the CCAA discontinued in 2013, influences of Celtic culture are still (and have almost always been) found in many other aspects of Canada – whether it be Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Breton, Cornish, or Manx. It is almost guaranteed that when I walk through a neighbourhood in Toronto that I will at some point come across a Celtic Irish-inspired. Additionally, Celtic Scottish culture is displayed through festivals such as the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Fergus, ON.[8] Even more recently, the novel and subsequent television series, Outlander, has sparked a global interest in Scottish and Celtic heritage; increasing the number of visitors who frequent Celtic events.[9]

With the creation of the Canadian Celtic Arts Association, Celts and non-Celts were able to immerse themselves in Celtic culture, learning about the Celtic peoples of Toronto and Canada. The end of the association did not, however, see a decrease in interest in Celtic culture occurred, as Celtic influences can still be seen today in both Canadian and popular culture.

BIO

Shannon Crewson is a first year student in the Master of Museum Studies program at University of Toronto with a H.B.A in Anthropology and History from McMaster University. Her travel experiences are slim, however, during her undergraduate degree she had the opportunity to travel to Greece and work in a museum, which inspired her to pursue a degree in museum studies. A seventh generation Canadian, she has known Celtic ancestry from Scotland and Ireland.

[1] Statistics Canada, 2011

[2] McGoogan, 2015

[3] Chan, 2013

[4] John M. Kelly Library, A Canadian Tour of Celtic Scotland – Canadian Celtic Arts Association Founding Member Invitation

[5] John M. Kelly Library, A Canadian Tour of Celtic Scotland – Canadian Celtic Arts Association Founding Member Invitation

[6] Chan, 2013

[7] Chan, 2013

[8] http://fergusscottishfestival.com/

[9]  Garavelli, 2014