The SNACC conference is a two-day annual conference held in Washington, DC and available online through webinar. It is sponsored by the American Scottish Foundation, the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA), and the Chicago Scots. Friday’s sessions included a report on the process of becoming a clan chief as explained by Sir John McEwan.
The Heirs Project
The following session was a panel discussion on the Heirs Project which involves the process for preparing for the next generation of leadership within clans. Douglas Dundonald, Chief of the Cochrane Clan, who I met at the GMHG two years ago and had a conversation about this topic, presented. He answered the questions: What is a chief and what is his/her role? The primary role he stated was to continue to communicate with the members of the clan worldwide. He claimed that engaging the diaspora (persons who have Scottish ancestry who reside outside Scotland) is the secret to success. This involves engaging the next generation of chiefs and also chieftains in creating a network that goes beyond one or two individuals in Scotland. He stated a network is needed within the clan and among the clans.
This message is consistent with what the Leslie Global Diaspora Foundation (LGDF) is doing. The Foundation has engaged the Chieftain of the clan, his heir, and Leslies from Ireland and Australia into the process of engaging Leslies worldwide, and in the USA by having them attend the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.
Scottish Connections
Eilidh MacKinnon, Deputy Head of the Scottish Government USA discussed the interest of the Scottish Government in connecting with and supporting engagement of persons of the Scottish Diaspora. From their point of view, it is essential to recognize and support efforts to build relationships between the people of the diaspora and Scotland. This position comes in the form of encouraging economic development, academic exchanges, and tourism. Her message was on point with what the LGDF programs are engaged in currently.
The Foundation has developed a program of Leslie Heritage travel to include the important sites in Aberdeenshire, and in the fall of 2025 an Ireland heritage tour. These tours not only visit sites but include talks on Leslie history. The LGDF has registered with the Scotland Global Community. The Foundation will continue to annually bring Leslies from Scotland, Ireland, and other locations to meet and share information of Leslie gatherings such as highland games.
Youth Engagement
The topic of education and university relationships was discussed by Brian Smith from the University of Strathclyde and Rory Hedderly representing the Saltire Foundation. There is an effort to expand the university outreach to recruit students from abroad to high-quality, well-respected universities in Scotland. Likewise, to have students from Scotland engage in study aboard programs. The Foundation has developed a relationship with the University of Aberdeen and looks forward to facilitating/funding student scholarships to bring students from Scotland to the USA and to send students to do Leslie research in Scotland and Ireland.
In summary, the Leslie Global Diaspora Foundation has taken the lead on many of these initiatives discussed at the conference. It is empowering to know that the Foundation’s programs fit and support the vision of the speakers at this conference.
Dr. Lewis R. Johnson
President, Leslie Global Diaspora Foundation
Leave a Reply