The benevolent act of the Choctaw tribe towards the Irish during the time of the Great Famine remains a shining beacon of hope amidst the grim memories of that period. This notable act has led to a lasting rapport between the two groups, an event which was commemorated on Friday with the unveiling of a statue by the Minister of State for Tourism, Thomas Byrne, and the Choctaw Nation tribal leader, Gary Batton.
Crafted by Samuel Stitt, a member of the Choctaw nation, the ‘Eternal Heart’ statue towers at eight-feet tall. It stands proudly on the Choctaw Capital Grounds in Tuskahoma, roughly 170 miles east of Oklahoma City. The Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation collectively funded this joint venture.
The sculpture blends a Celtic trinity symbol and a heart, facing towards Ireland. The Minister stated that both the Irish and Choctaw people could use this occasion to reflect on their respective past’s tragic episodes and commemorate the extraordinary humanitarian endeavours that developed the bond between the two nations.
He added, “Our nation’s historical experience with famine has given us a deep understanding and empathy for those worldwide who continue to experience difficulty and distress. This is why working towards eliminating hunger is a fundamental aspect of Ireland’s external relations efforts.”
In the mid-nineteenth century, the Choctaw people raised and gifted $170 (now equivalent to $5,000) upon hearing about the Irish famine. It was generously sent to Midleton, Cork. This act of kindness was all the more remarkable considering the tribe was in the early phases of rebuilding itself in Oklahoma after their painful experience in the infamous Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Approximately 15,000 Choctaw were brutally displaced from their native lands east of the Mississippi river to then undeveloped territories in Oklahoma. It is estimated that about 5,000 individuals tragically lost their lives to disease, hunger or violent acts during this forced relocation.
The Choctaw Nation’s historical kindness towards Ireland had long been remembered as a folk tale until it was officially acknowledged in 1995 by the then President Mary Robinson during her visit to Oklahoma to thank the Irish people. A monument by Alex Pentek, a Cork-based artist, was revealed in Midleton in 2017 to honour the act. The unveiling ceremony on Friday marked further cultivation of ties between the two nations. Gary Batton, the Chief of the Choctaw Nation, expressed gratitude for the charitable spirits of their Choctaw forebears which led to the occasion, and conveyed excitement about future relationships between Choctaw and Irish generations.