Huge Contributions of Scots-Canadians Recognized on National Tartan Day
By KEN ROGERSON
VANCOUVER - Canadians of Scottish descent have played a vibrant and influential role in the development of Canada. From the signing of the constitution to John A. MacDonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada, Scottish Canadians have contributed greatly to the arts, sciences, law, politics and more.
On April 6, 1320 at Arbroath Abbey on the east coast of Scotland, the nobles, barons and freeholders, together with the “ whole community of the realm of Scotland,” subscribed to a letter to Pope John XXll, asking him to recognise the country’s independence under the kinship of Robert Bruce, declaring the independence of Scotland from English domination following the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. This document bearing the seal of Sir Alexander Fraser became known as the Declaration of Arbroath.
In Nova Scotia, Jean Watson worked tirelessly to establish Tartan Day. Her persistence paid off when the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada endorsed her idea and a Bill in Ontario Legislature to adopt Tartan Day in Ontario was passed on December 19, 1991. All other Provinces and the Yukon Territories followed with similar resolutions and by 2000 all, except Quebec and Newfoundland, recognise April 6 as Tartan Day.
Due to Easter, this year South Burnaby United Church at Rumble and Gray (near Nelson), will be holding it's annual "Kirkin o' the Tartan" service on April 18 at 10:30 am. Everyone is welcome to join them.
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