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'TARTAN DAY IN CANADA'"
This date was started by the Federation of Scottish Clans In Nova Scotia on the 9th of March, 1986 at a meeting in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Bill Crowell President of Clan Cameron and Jean Watson President of Clan Farquharson, had a discussion during a coffee break at the meeting, that a date should be started to "honour the Scots who came to Canada in search of a better life. A date the youth of Canada can look to with pride as to what hard work, faith in God and determination can accomplish".
The wording of the motion was:
"That we establish a day known as 'Tartan Day'. This to be a day chosen to promote Scottish Heritage by the most visible means. The wearing of the Scottish attire, especially in places where the kilt is not ordinarily worn, i.e.: work, play or worship."
Following its establishment Jean was the only person who put up her hand willing to go on a committee to promote the date. She took on the task alone and worked for ten years writing to every member in the various Provincial Legislative Assemblys and to every Scottish Society she could locate in Canada. These Societies rose to the idea and promoted the idea to their MLA's and as Province after Province picked up on the date of recognition it became like a wind spreading across the prairies.
Our Scottish cousins to the south picked up on the idea and with it's passing in Ontario they too began to start their own celebrations and the rest is history.
Dates of Provincial recognition:
Nova Scotia April 6th, 1987
Ontario December 19, 1991
British Columbia March 25th, 1992
P.E.I. April 2nd, 1992
Saskatchewan April 6th, 1992
Manatoba April 6th, 1992
Alberta April 6th, 1992
New Brunswick December 1992
Newfoundland April 6th, 1995
Quebec December 18, 2005
Each year a special event is put on at the Provincial Legislative Assembly by the Federation of Scottish Clans In Nova Scotia.
Jean MacKaracher Watson has twice received recognition for her dedication to promoting Tartan Day.
The Flora MacDonald Award was presented to Jean at the Presbyterian College of Celtic Studies in Laurinburg, South Carolina in 2004 and she was named Canadian Scot of the Year for 2007 by the Toronto Scottish Society a division of the Guelph University of Celtic studies in Canada.
May all enjoy Tartan Day and all it stands for.
2007 SCOT OF THE YEAR FOR CANADA
L.-R. Mrs. Audrey Manzer, Clan Baird, who accompanied Jean from Nova Scotia to the event. Mrs. Jean MacKaracher Watson, recipient, Mr.Gibson, President of the Toronto St. Andrew's Society, Mr. Alaistair MacIntyre owner of the
Electric Scotland Web Site.
Missing from the picture are Mel and Myrna Baird of Clan Baird who also attended the event from Nova Scotia.
Wearing the Nova Scotia Tartan, Jean is shown here the night of her award in Toronto. Wed. 18th, April,2007. Jean is the founder of the
Stewart - Stuart Association of Nova Scotia.
