New sculpture reinforces Irish-Choctaw links

A new sculpture honouring links between Ireland and the Choctaw Nation has been unveiled in Oklahoma.

The Choctaw Nation describes itself as the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with over 225,000 tribal members and over 12,000 associates.

The first tribe over the forced displacement known as the Trail of Tears, it has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years and its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles.

In 1847, having recently endured the Trail of Tears by the US government, the Choctaw Nation came together to raise 170 dollars (roughly equivalent to 5,000 dollars today) to support the Irish during Great Famine.

The Choctaw’s heartfelt donation was sent to Midleton in County Cork, providing much-needed relief.

In 1995, then Irish president Mary Robinson visited the Choctaw Nation to express gratitude and rekindle the friendship between the two nations.

During the visit, president Robinson was appointed “Honorary Chief of the Choctaw Nation”.

This historic visit marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to honour the bond forged by the Choctaws’ selfless act.

In 2017, the Kindred Spirits sculpture, designed by Irish artist Alex Pentek, was erected in Midleton, serving as a permanent reminder of the enduring connection between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland.

Over the years, the Irish and the Choctaws have continued to honour this bond through various acts of generosity.

In 2020, amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, Ireland provided aid to Native American tribes severely impacted by the crisis.

On Friday, a new “Eternal Hearts” sculpture was unveiled in Oklahoma.

It is designed to serve as a reminder of the power of compassion and solidarity by standing as a testament to the enduring friendship between the Choctaw Nation and people of Ireland.

The eight-foot tall sculpture, created by Choctaw Nation tribal member Samuel Stitt, was unveiled at the Choctaw Capitol Grounds.

The sculpture combines a Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart and is placed facing Ireland.

It was a joint commission, funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation.

Minister of State Thomas Byrne travelled to Oklahoma to join members of the Choctaw Nation for the unveiling.

He said: “This memorial will be a permanent symbol of the enduring and meaningful friendship between our two nations, a relationship which began with an act of solidarity and extraordinary generosity during the darkest years of the Great Irish Famine.

“This unveiling is an important opportunity to reflect on the tragic events of our past and to remember the remarkable humanitarian efforts that forged the bonds of friendship between our nations.

“Ireland is proud of our own history of humanitarian support, particularly the recent support we saw to the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, as well as the work of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation community in Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am sure that today’s event, coupled with our shared history will continue to strengthen Ireland’s engagement and links with the Choctaw Nation.”

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said: “We are grateful for the giving hearts of our Choctaw ancestors that brought us here today. We are excited to see what this eternal bond will bring to future generations of Choctaw and Irish, and we are extremely proud to call the people of Ireland our friends and kindred spirits.”