Kernow matters to us.
Background
We feel that Cornwall has been let down by its unitary authority, by the Westminster Government and by its existing institutions. While there is an Institute of Cornish Studies, it has been whittled down to a staff of only two and Cornwall Council has withdrawn its funding. While Bewnans Kernow is an organisation that includes advocacy, it is carried out entirely by volunteers when there is a need for trained community advocates. There is a steering group implementing the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities that only includes selected cultural representatives, and not representatives from the wider Cornish Community. We therefore see a need for a group to tackle these problems and ensure that a Cornish voice is heard at all levels of government and organisations operating in Cornwall.
While we would campaign for a civic nationalism, this is a separate issue to the Cornish minority. The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities does not define a “National Minority” so for the purposes of identification we use the Oxford English Dictionary definition: A minority group within a country felt to be distinct from the majority because of historical differences of language, religion, culture, etc.
Cornish people therefore are a National Minority because we have a different and distinct language, and a different culture and history to England and the English. Therefore, to be classed as a member of this minority then descent from Cornish people is required. It is hoped that more Cornish people will learn their historic language, culture and history; Cornwall has a rich tradition of governance, industry, drama, sport, cuisine, language, literature and history that is unique and distinct, and all of which at different times has been suppressed by English cultural domination. Many Cornish people are unaware of this suppression and so recovering our history is key to understanding ourselves.
By acknowledging descent from Cornish people as a requirement of Cornish minority status, then birth or residence in Cornwall is not a requirement to be included in the Cornish minority.
Mission Statement
To ensure that every Cornish person is represented to decision makers, and is healthy, housed, educated and safe.
Vision Statement
A Cornwall where Cornish people have a voice and are listened to.
A Cornwall where Cornish people are not second class citizens.
A Cornwall where Cornish people have access to suitable housing.
A Cornwall where Cornish people have access to suitable health and social services.
A Cornwall where Cornish people actively learn about their own culture and history.
A Cornwall where Cornish people are represented on diversity committees and where the police take action against those who commit hate motivated crimes against Cornish people.
#KernowMatters
We feel that Cornwall has been let down by its unitary authority, by the Westminster Government and by its existing institutions. While there is an Institute of Cornish Studies, it has been whittled down to a staff of only two and Cornwall Council has withdrawn its funding. While Bewnans Kernow is an organisation that includes advocacy, it is carried out entirely by volunteers when there is a need for trained community advocates. There is a steering group implementing the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities that only includes selected cultural representatives, and not representatives from the wider Cornish Community. We therefore see a need for a group to tackle these problems and ensure that a Cornish voice is heard at all levels of government and organisations operating in Cornwall.
While we would campaign for a civic nationalism, this is a separate issue to the Cornish minority. The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities does not define a “National Minority” so for the purposes of identification we use the Oxford English Dictionary definition: A minority group within a country felt to be distinct from the majority because of historical differences of language, religion, culture, etc.
Cornish people therefore are a National Minority because we have a different and distinct language, and a different culture and history to England and the English. Therefore, to be classed as a member of this minority then descent from Cornish people is required. It is hoped that more Cornish people will learn their historic language, culture and history; Cornwall has a rich tradition of governance, industry, drama, sport, cuisine, language, literature and history that is unique and distinct, and all of which at different times has been suppressed by English cultural domination. Many Cornish people are unaware of this suppression and so recovering our history is key to understanding ourselves.
By acknowledging descent from Cornish people as a requirement of Cornish minority status, then birth or residence in Cornwall is not a requirement to be included in the Cornish minority.
Mission Statement
To ensure that every Cornish person is represented to decision makers, and is healthy, housed, educated and safe.
Vision Statement
A Cornwall where Cornish people have a voice and are listened to.
A Cornwall where Cornish people are not second class citizens.
A Cornwall where Cornish people have access to suitable housing.
A Cornwall where Cornish people have access to suitable health and social services.
A Cornwall where Cornish people actively learn about their own culture and history.
A Cornwall where Cornish people are represented on diversity committees and where the police take action against those who commit hate motivated crimes against Cornish people.
#KernowMatters
