Sarah’s Swords are use in Competition by Pre-Premier Dancers
On Saturday, June 6th a special dedication ceremony of “Sarah’s Swords” will take place at the beginning of the morning awards at the Forks Market during the Mid-Canada Championships and Competitions. Sarah Brown who was a student and assistant teacher of mine, passed away as the result of a vehicle accident on September 10th, 2007 at the age of 20 years. She was the Beloved daughter of Phil and Cyndi Brown, long time members of the Manitoba Highland Dancers’ Association and supporters of anything Scottish. She was sister to Shawn, a former member of the Boy Scout Pipe Band, 177 Air Cadet Pipe Band and currently with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. During the many years she was a student of mine, I noticed that she naturally gravitated to the young dancers, especially the Primary dancers of whom she so dearly loved, and they her. In her soft spoken way, she was able to guide these Primary dancers along their first basic movements and steps for which they will long remember.
Sarah always loved the challenge of a good strong Sword Dance, executing her infamous split high cuts with grace and ease. All her dance mates would stand in awe as she, with no bother at all, would extend her little legs out the widest – always the winner in the split high cut pretend competitions we had in class! It is only fitting that in honour of Sarah’s name that the beautiful, white handled flat swords be used in the Primary Class at any and all competitions held in Manitoba. The swords are inscribed with Sarah’s name as well as, “Airson gaol air dannsa” which is “For the Love of Dance” in Gaelic flowing down each blade.
History tells us that the Sword Dance is a dance of victory. Each Primary dancer who is fortunate to dance over these swords will be victorious regardless of the competition and will be told one day all about the young, beautiful girl who won her victory in Highland Dance as well!
Gaelyn McGregor
Scottish Settlers Monument Parade
MHDA Dancers participated in a Parade and the unveiling of the Scottish Settlers Monument located on Waterfront Drive, on September 6, 2008. This monument recognizes the Highland Clearances where Scottish villagers were forcibly removed from their homes and immigrated to Point Douglas in 1813.
These settlers sought a better life in a far-away land and upon arrival fostered a relationship with the Peguis First Nation which was essential for them to prosper in this formidable land. Chief Peguis and his band taught vital hunting, trapping, clothing, shelter and winter survival skills without which the settlers would not have survived.
The bronze memorial statue was unveiled by Lord and Lady Selkirk, the Honourable Michael Russell, the Scottish Parliament's Minister of the Environment, the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba, the Honourable John Harvard, and Mr. Dennis McLeod as part of the celebration and dedication ceremonies. The statue depicts a family leaving their home and is a lasting tribute to those affected by the Highland Clearances. An identical statue sits across the ocean in Helmsdale, on the Sutherland coast in Scotland, as a reminder of the clearances.
The Parade commenced from City Hall at 1:30 pm featuring dignitaries, members of the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg, 8 Pipe Bands, several Scottish cultural groups and Plaid car owner Gail Burfoot. Following the Settlers' Monument', Dedication Ceremonies the Parade continued to the Alexander Docks where a Voyageur re-enactment occured depicting a traditional canoe crossing and greeting at the Historic Red River. The Voyageurs, parade participants and guests were then escorted to the Scots Monument for a short closing ceremony.
A few dancer parade particpants then quickly traveled a short distance away to the Forks to join other MHDA dancer volunteers to perform at the Dragon Boat Races.
Kelly Graham-Miele
