Kindred Spirits - The Choctaw-Irish Bond Lives On

The story begins in 1831, when the Choctaw people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in Mississippi.
A few years later, Choctaws learned of people starving in Ireland. Only sixteen years had passed since the Choctaws had faced hunger and death on the first Trail of Tears and a great empathy was felt when they heard such a similar tale coming from across the ocean.
Individual Choctaws collected and donated $170 in 1847 to assist the Irish people.
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Footage and Photos provided by Brian Martin
Credits
Director: Payton G. Guthrie
Producers: Ronni Pierce
Editor: Whitney Lautner
Audio Technician: Joseph Jefferson

[@pathughes3454]

Thank you Choctaw nation, Ireland does not forget.

[@pamelawilliams1302]

We Choctaw have not forgotten you either! NASHOBA OHOYO!

[@toyotaprius79]

We haven't forgotten, and now boldly moved for their time of great need in the Navajo nation. Willfully forgotten by the US Federal government.

[@orleansartist6095]

@@pamelawilliams1302 wolf man?

[@orleansartist6095]

@@pamelawilliams1302 wolf woman

[@martin6901]

@Frankie Flannery It is taught in all Irish schools now, that is for sure. Thank you Choctaw nation!

[@bluepigforever1835]

As a card carrying member of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma I would be honored to someday visit this beautiful symbol of gratitude. God bless

[@josephcreagh5391]

The Irish people will welcome you with open arms, it touches every Irish persons soul deeply the empathy that the great Choctaw nation showed to us, never forgotten.

[@thefightisalwaysfixed8890]

You're welcome to come to Ireland any time my brother 🇮🇪

[@ztoical]

University College Cork has a Choctaw scholarship so members of the Choctaw nation can come study in Cork.

[@nonyo8524]

Im gettn my tribal card asap ...im so excited ....

[@antonironstag5085]

Native Americans are always welcome here

[@daoirsemcdaid4797]

I literally have tears in my eyes watching this. Tears of humility, and bursting with love thinking of the sacrifice the Choctaw people made for the people of my country. Forever in your debt. Big love from Ireland.

[@cliffordcrate2438]

As someone of Irish descent, who works for the Choctaw Nation, I find this inspiring.

[@ivyb4351]

Hello cousin

[@shannon4948]

Thank you for honoring the Choctaw people. I am sorry for the suffering of the Irish people. It is a testimony that we can come together.

[@chairde]

The Irish remember even to when time is no more. The Irish still remember.

[@mfitzy100]

Thank you for the generosity and kindness shown to the Irish in our worst time. It’ll never be forgotten

[@therenaessance]

I cannot wait to visit this memorial!!!!! I am of Choctaw descent and marrying an Irishman -- also, my paternal grandfather immigrated from Eire -- he married my grandmother who has the Choctaw lineage. We are truly kindred spirits. I am so humbled by both sides of ancestry and inspired to pass on the heritage of giving as our family forms.

[@danielinnicg2114]

💚💚

[@MrTubeYouTheif]

First time i've ever seem a foreigner refer to Eire as Eire. Much love, from Eire 💚💚💚

[@timkincade9763]

Chahta father, Irish mother from Belfast . Yakoke Chito , Ireland forever

[@InternalAffairs]

I JUST FOUND OUT FROM MY MOM THE WE ARE CHOCTAW AND IRISH. ....I AM TRULY EXCITED ABOUT LEARING ABOUT BOTH...

[@dannygrapes5736]

Kev Gillz Fraud Dept. 2 Irish would have been the false leadership of the tribes that happened during the American revaluation most Irish men raped native American women killed chiefs and threw false leadership made themselves chiefs. But you can trace your name back and see when your irish blood came over and how and when or who raped the native mother or sometimes written in primary source documents that they even made themselves chiefs and also took wives from there England planter women so most have no blood in them

[@irishdc9523]

Danny Grapes Indeed we have. We have aided England and America in their genocides against Native nations. Now, I would argue that while they were born in Ireland, they were not Irish and pledged their allegiances to other empires.

[@SkyandQuill]

My family is too

[@Loki.Lyesmyth]

Cherokee and Irish here :)

[@irishelk3]

Here mate, take your negative shit somewhere else, there are bad people everywhere. Do you always suck the fun out of everything?.

[@Stonehappy420]

Proud Irish/Choctaw blood running warm through my veins, many thanks to all ancestors involved, you have given me a spirit of love, for this I am eternally grateful.

[@timkincade9763]

Yakoke Chito , Chahta Ireland forever ♥

[@brianhenderson9599]

You fed the ancestors. What higher service can one people provide to another? Thank you, Choctaw Nation, from an Irish-American.

[@funnymyth1827]

This is amazing. Why, as an student in the United States, did I not learn about the Chactaw? Especially while learning about the Irish famine? I never knew that our native people did this selfless, kind act. It's pretty disheartening that I haven't been taught how kind and peaceful the tribes of the American East were as a child in this country. I learned that Andrew Jackson was an asshole, but really nothing beyond that. Choctaw Nation, you are a true inspiration for compassion and fortitude.

[@lfcgero35]

Thank you from the irish nation we never forget the ones who helped us when we were at our worst. Love and Respect to our Choctaw Brothers and Sisters. A massive slainte from Ireland.

[@OKEEFFE89]

I pass the sculpture everyday and its really beautiful. Thank you for helping us during our darkest time. Choctaw Nation are my Heros!! The Irish will never forget 🇮🇪

[@andykane439]

love from Ireland 🍀 and thank you we will never forget 🇮🇪

[@carolinegarland9397]

I live in Mississippi and am grateful for this beautiful relationship between the Choctaw Nation and the Irish people.

[@danielinnicg2114]

God bless the choctaw ppl and the new generations of them, 💚 lreland loves you

[@timkincade9763]

Halito, we love Ireland 🇮🇪 ❤

[@markhanley3070]

I have only heard of this recently and as a proud Irishman of our heritage , this story brought a tear to my eyes and am shocked to hear what the Choctaw people did for our Irish people so long ago and in times that the Choctaw nation and other native American people were going through it was heart breaking reading , and to think that your people stretched out a helping hand from so far away to the suffering Irish people during the famine, I have to honestly say it sticks in my heart❤ and always will , this shows what type of people you are, I WANT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU CHOCTAW NATION FROM IRELAND❤☘ this bond/ connection should never be forgotten it should get closer and stronger. I personally travel all around our beautiful coastline fishing and camping every summer, and would be more than happy to offer any help or advice to any of the Choctaw people that would like to visit this beautiful island for the first time, or to go fishing which I love 😊 I would be more that happy to help out in any way I can. Sending LOTS OF LOVE FROM IRELAND CHOCTAW NATION we will never forget☘

[@tamlynn786]

Yakoke 💙

[@daoirsemcdaid4797]

On this day of all days, I as an Irishman remember the kindness and sacrifice made by the Choctaw Nation. The struggle of peoples whose very existence was threatened, yet stood together through compassion and human greatness should never be forgotten.

[@ambermac9449]

Maybe donate to their covid 19 fund to repay them?

[@daoirsemcdaid4797]

@@ambermac9449 just saw your message Amber, thats a great idea and im on to it now,

[@choctawgirl9989]

This is so beautiful! I'm so overwhelmed with emotion. I'm Choctaw born on Mississippi reservation. although I was not raised on the reservation,I'm very interested in learning more about my heritage. Thank you for sharing this beautiful history and gorgeous tribute. I'm so inspired.

[@FancyRavenmoon]

We are all related, just Us!!

[@whitefang238]

did you see the massive donation going to navaho as a result of this?

[@nonyo8524]

YES .....🙌🔥

[@timkincade9763]

Halito Chahta ! My father is Chahta and my mother is Irish, Belfast. My father's family originally is from Mississippi but we live among the Lenape people of the Delaware nation. Do you know of the Kincaid mounds in Mississippi? This is where my Father's people come from. I'm happy among the Delaware but need to know more of my nation. Yakoke Chito.

[@patrickconnors4602]

We will never forget what your people did for us. You will always be welcome in Ireland.

[@Sileaine]

I hope we can give back your kindness thank you so much for all your support and love it will never be forgotten

[@hhedvhiuggcdf]

I have learned of the great generosity of these great people a few years ago and was moved to think that in the 1800s, these folks came together and sent money to people they knew nothing about but knew they were starving. This gift is worth far more than money along with it came a lasting friendship and genuine love and kindness for each other’s people’s. I will be sitting down with my two children to tell them about this great story and will also tell my grandkids the same story so it will never be forgotten on the land of Ireland. Such a pity we don’t tech kids in Irish schools about this wonderful story of compassion.👍

[@carolinewhite3435]

It is taught in Irish schools

[@grumble5876]

Thank you Choctaw Tribe, connected forever and never forgotten. We celebrate and speak your name in Ireland and this will never change.

[@nashobalusa1083]

My dad would have loved this. He told me of the Chahata giving to the Irish during the famine. He was a giving person, himself and the feathers tribute would have touched him. Yakoke Ireland. I'm sure dad can see this beautiful piece from where he is now, in Heaven.

[@timkincade9763]

Halito , Yakoke Chito . Chahta Ireland forever ❤

[@breandan789]

In ómós mo mhuintire Éirinneaigh, bhí mionn orm an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim, agus rinne mé. Nuair a tháinig an scéal seo orm blianta ó shin, bhí mé ar intinn Tioctáis a fhoghlaim fosta. D'obair mé uirthi ó am go ham trína blianta, ach anois táim ag freastal na ranganna Tioctáise ag Choctaw Nation. Táim sona sásta leo. To honor my Irish ancestors I decided to learn Irish (as you see above). When I learned of the Choctaw gift, I was moved to learn Choctaw also. After sporadic studying on my own over the years, I am now enrolled in classes with Choctaw Nation and am loving it. It's my small way of paying back the gift. Chahta sia kiyo, Ailish okla yʋt ilbʋsha tok. Chahta okla yʋt apela tok. Chahta okla hullo li. Yakoke !! (please excuse my Chahtanumpa, I'm just learning)

[@grumble5876]

Amazing, that is something to be proud of and inspiring to say the least. I’m glad you posted and take care

[@reiltinroisin]

Mar dhuine Éireanach a fhreastalíonn ar scoil lán-gaelach tá mé sásta a rá go bfhuil Gaeilge an-mhaith agat! Is rud iontach atá at bun agat.

[@therenaessance]

I am hoping to do this myself!! Where do you suppose I begin? What lessons can you impart to a person beginning this language learning journey? Where can I enroll in Choctaw Nation classes online?

[@andlidearmadta9680]

Maith thú a chara

[@breandan789]

@@therenaessance I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier - perhaps you've already found your way to the Choctaw School. If not, here is a link to their online classes. They run concurrent to the school year, so you'll need to wait until the Fall to sign up for the next session. Lillie Roberts, the instructor, is quite helpful and will help you through the process. www.choctawschool.com/classes/internet-classes.aspx

[@fennbairn]

I am a registered Choctaw and that is a spectacular sculpture.

[@jimbobjimjim6500]

Thank you Choctaw Nation, never forgotten!! From Ireland.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Thank you to the souls that reached out to my Irish ancestors - I literally could be here today as a result of their act of care - They are the fully awakened - Blessings - forever

[@tamlynn786]

Yakoke 💙

[@MrKaaper1]

My father was from Ireland and he told me about this when I was a little boy. Precious bond between our peoples.

[@TheJFKID]

The beautiful comments towards the Irish people shows how wonderful the Choctaw Nation truly are. We as Irish people are so grateful to you for your kindness during our suffering and oppression. The beauty of the Native American and First Nation people is astounding, you have so much to offer this world with your wisdom and strength. You are most welcome in Ireland.

[@tamlynn786]

SO so sweet .. Yakoke 🙏🏽💙

[@pragmatic1ultramagnetic202]

Thank you to the beautiful Choctaw people. One love.

[@jasonbailey9302]

I am Choctaw, Irish and Filipino. I am very proud of my lineage. All Warriors, all great people.

[@johnc6311]

Sincere thank you to the Choctaw people we are divided by sea but are kindred in spirit your a beautiful spiritual people may god bestow great blessings on you!

[@pamelapope859]

God bless the Choctaw Nation, I am Irish and Choctaw and very proud of both

[@MrBrutal33]

'What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like' - Saint Augustine

[@noeldoyle4501]

Many thanks to the Chocktaw people from an Irish person, may God continue to bless you for your generosity when we most needed it.

[@BryanOliver74]

My daughter and I, both of Choctaw ancestry, along with my wife, with great-great grandparents from Bellina, Tipperary, made a special side trip to Midleton, during our road trip around Ireland, in 2018. What a beautiful, moving monument, a perfect representation.

[@Raggman42]

Bryan Oliver That only a few miles up the road from me times were very hard for these people I’m that move was life or death for a lot of them even though moving from their home was killing them it had to be done. We Irish don’t forget those who helped and stood by us nothing is forgotten god bless you and all your family may they always see the light of their ways

[@pamelawilliams1302]

I am one of those proud Choctaw, Irish decendents ... the Nashoba Ohoyo! The wolf women of the Choctaw Narion. Our Irish blood still runs deep. We are ALIVE AND WELL beothers and sisters. WOOPWOOP!!

[@therenaessance]

blessings to you!!!!!!

[@timkincade9763]

I'm a Kincaid mounds descendent of Mississippi, Chahta and Ulster Irish. Yakoke Chito!

[@BBond88]

Just don’t get how people come across a video like this then end up hitting the dislike button?

[@damonlittell7962]

I agree makes you glad we're on the humane side of that

[@grumble5876]

The people that did this in Ireland have descendants here too, they deny the truth and hitting a little button on KZbin reaffirms their false belief. We Irish will never let this be forgotten so let them be, they failed, we are together now , Choctaw and Irish.

[@Tableaux15]

What an inspiring story. I had never heard of the gift, coming from a people that literally had nothing to give yet were so moved they found a way to share.

[@SL-ow5ty]

As someone of both Choctaw and Irish descent, this warms my heart

[@juneshopper]

This is awesome, just found about this at our Ladies Hibernian meeting. Thank you, Choctaw Nation, for helping the Irish. Mom's grandpa was famine Irish and was from Cork. He was able to get out and come to America where he worked for Frisco RR helping them to build in MO. The start of 3 generations working for Frisco, my grandpa and his brothers, and my Mom. She met my Dad at company picnic and I grew up loving trains and still do.

[@enlightenednews5265]

Love and respect to the great Choctaw People.

[@ciaran6309]

Thanks you much Choctaw nation. Love from Ireland. So good to us in our time of need.

[@laurene988]

Mad respect to the Choctaw, Ireland should give something more back to one of the only ones who helped us in our darkest day

[@rosemoon8116]

ireland has just started giving the choctaw scholarships to study abroad as exchange students

[@paulbergin8051]

You were dead right with your text 2 years ago, I am glad us the Irish have answered your text this year with by helping the native Americans, through the covid crisis, we will never forget what they did in 1847.

[@breandanhamon1243]

I'm so happy that we were able to repay you for what you did to help us in the famine, I hope that the money we donated are able to help you through these tough times

[@joemacdonnagh6750]

You are the true Christians , we the pretenders. To give is one thing , but to share what little you have when you had so little and were an oppressed people . Living the true word .This struck a cord in the Celtic souls. It still echos in Ireland even today. I hope we Irish will become with the help of God as great as these amazing people. Amen.

[@thetruth4865]

to give out of all you had to live on vs. to give out of excess is what Jesus/Yehoshua pointed out... good on you/G-d Bless you Joe for knowing that & sharing it w/ the world. world needs to know, esp. with His Soon Return...

[@dickdock4783]

I am born Irish....However my Soul is of Choctaw nation....very strange...but sure I can work with that. Such is the life of Spirit.....:-) Greetings from Dublin......lets get started so!!! 09/05/2018

[@damonlittell7962]

I'm Choctaw Irish siletz Cherokee and I'm happy with that 2;)

[@taylorlefit9004]

I love being Choctaw and Irish. Great people and my family is wonderful. I always knew about the Choctaw-Irish connection but this video taught me a lot more.

[@damonlittell7962]

Me to never taught ?

[@timkincade9763]

Halito Yakoke Chito ,, Ireland forever ♥

[@1234smileface]

Thank you Choktaw nation. From everyone here in Ireland.

[@irishelk3]

What a kind and beautiful gesture; pulls on my heart strings. They were and still are far better people than a lot of the half whits living in America today.

[@koitsenka]

My grandfather was born on the Choctaw Nation in 1906. This sculpture makes me happy.

[@coolzredz]

Sending my love from Ireland ☘🇮🇪☘

[@kevininchina6385]

So happy I found about our friendship. Stay strong .

[@leefelixsegg2666]

Im irish and native. I never new about this. Im so happy i found this video.

[@pninja21]

I'm Irish on my great grandfathers side and Choctaw on my great grandmothers side so. I'm thanking myself 😄lol

[@taylorlefit9004]

I'm Choctaw on my dad's side and I'm Irish on my mom's side so I totally relate. I love being both!

[@kathleenward4905]

We love you and thank you and we will never ever forget ❤ 🇮🇪

[@cheiftain732]

Thank you to all first nations specially our choktaw friends and allies

[@Martina-Kosicanka]

Hello from Slovakia. It is such a moving story and the sculpture is beautiful

[@dracomadness792]

I got the chance to visit the monument in Ireland, I even did a speech in Choctaw at the site too. It was really amazing to see the piece in oerson

[@user-cz4tv4mb7f]

Thank you Ireland and choctaw s❤😊

[@dermotdooley783]

God bless all Choctaw people,thank you so much and your ancestors for helping the Irish during such a sad time in our Nations history, ,love you all so much love from Dublin Ireland.

[@qwertyTRiG]

It's said that Ireland still gives more than most countries to famine relief. The memory is still strong in the culture.

[@Jimmy-nr4kr]

I know this is an old video but thank you so much to the Choctaw tribe for what you did for my people back in the day. It will never be forgotten that you give so much when you had so little. I have to say that one crop failure does not make a famine. There was enough food in the country to keep the people going but it went elsewhere. Look up our history.

[@coco200066]

Thank you to the wonderful spirit of your people, to help a people so far away from you're own. You're own suffering being so great, yet you shared what little you had. Go raibh míle maith agaibh 🙏.

[@greenriptide]

Not surprised the Choctaws and immigrant Irish found one another, as many Irish were married into the Nation. The Irish could easily understand and accept the Choctaw hierarchy and way of life with "Chiefs" because both groups had "Tribal Chiefs".

[@nomadnametab]

that describes a dear friend and her family. beautiful, strong and good women. tiny in physical size , enormous in spirit. choctaw mom, irish dad. people always asked just what she was, that exotic look. a perfect combination all the way around :)

[@timkincade9763]

I became Chahta because when my Irish ancestors come to the US the Choctaw people were the only people to have them,, so my family become Chahta in Mississippi from the Kincaid mounds. My father married my mother who is Irish from Belfast. They met among the Delaware people in NJ . The Chahta people have always welcomed people among them who are suffering and offer life among the great spirit . Yakoke Chito

[@brianpatricklarkin3474]

Regards and respect to all Choctaw people from Ireland

[@markadams7597]

As a Scots-Texan...I'm humbled by and proud of my Irish-First Nation cousins!! Great vid. Ty for posting!!

[@brendaleake]

I read a book, albeit a children’s book (I like kid’s books, they’re fact filled and non-biased!) “The Long March” by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick ©1998 about how the Choctaw who lived near Skullyville, OK had learned about the Irish potato famine and decided to help them because they had empathy for the people because they were starving.

[@user-id6zf5yp2l]

From the bottom of my Irish heart I’m truly grateful to the Choctaw Tribe for your act of divine kindness Ireland will never forget♥️🙏🏻Thank you

[@user-vu4xn2kn2o]

Proud to call the Choctaw our brothers and sisters,shared experiences of oppression and pain but also shared experiences of generosity 💚 We will never forget what you did for us Thank you Love from the mc Laughlin family derry city Ireland 🇮🇪 ✊🏻

[@carolyng5044]

A simple act of kindness. This teared me up. My Choctaw and Irish roots were felt today, thank you.

[@damonlittell7962]

Much love Ireland yakokee

[@edmmaster8054]

I'm an Irish descendant. Unfortunately living with the opposition. The world is a dark place at the moment but this gives me hope for better days to come. My mom's side (15 children) from Kerry and dad's side (?lol) from belfast, I thankyou from the bottom of my heart, we are eternally grateful 💞🍀🦅🪶🪶🪶🪶God bless

[@CradaOC]

Peace and love the the Choctaw Nation (From The Plough and the Stars)

[@marionhogan175]

I am proud that I was able to contribute as a gesture of thanks for the help received go raibh maith agaibh❤

[@ps3baws]

Ireland will never forget the Choctaw 💚

[@AmyLynnRiley]

My grandfather was Irish and my grandmother was Choctaw. This makes me proud to know this history between these two nations and that biologically I am a part of it.

[@tamlynn786]

As a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma this beautiful sculpture warms my heart! I am proud that my ancestors saw a need and gave what little they had to help another in need. This sculpture is a beautiful acknowledgement of that connection between our ancestors! I hope to visit Ireland one day. The Irish and the Choctaw forever “Kindred Spirits” 💙💛

[@harrygrade2945]

I wasn't alive during the famine, and I'd never heard of the choctaw tribe until a week ago.

[@orleansartist6095]

I'm Choctaw and Irish too. my moms people were Choctaw and my dads, Irish and Polish. so I can make some good pashofa, and I have green eyes and freckles.

[@nonyo8524]

I have freckles ..chacta Irish

[@orleansartist6095]

@@nonyo8524 In my heart I am Choctaw But only now know that I have no Choctaw heritage, after taking a DNA test

[@noamfinnegan8663]

We will never forget and my home is your home ☘️💚🦄☘️💚🦄☘️💚☘️

[@damonlittell829]

love u Irish and Choctaw hybrid with heart;)

[@deniscurtin9510]

I,like many have told my children of the generosity,spirit and kinship we have with the Choctaw.It will never be forgotten and will always be there.Go raibh mile,mile maith agat.

[@charlareece3055]

Irish and choctaw here!

[@purplehazzee3569]

Charla Reece, me 2, it looks like we have similar face, if dhats u on the pic

[@therenaessance]

blessings to you!

[@pamelawilliams1302]

Many Irish were adopted into the Choctaw nation, I am a decendent of one of those.

[@JacktheHand]

The whole world knows about the Choctaw Gift now . Your gift has forged new friendship between Ireland and the Navajo and Hopi Nations .

[@johnhegarty4953]

the people of ireland will never forget the act of humanity by the navaho nation. you are our family for evermore.

[@Phil_2007]

Choctaw nation. :)

[@musicloverlondon6070]

That sculpture is stunning! What a wonderful tribute.

[@11UncleBooker22]

The McGarvey family of County Cork and it's descendants in Akron, Ohio and the world over say Thank you to the Choctaw people.

[@dannygrapes5736]

John Booker Alexander McGillivray?

[@VikingTokyo]

Wow! So beautiful.

[@hazelgoodshepherd9315]

I always found it rather puzzling that a poor black and red tribe would go out of their way to help equally impoverished and oppressed white people across the sea. Now I understand. The Mesoamerican elders knew exactly who the Irish really were, that these weren't just fellow humans in need. These were THEIR people. Other Israelites. Fellow Hebrews descended from the Black Celts. It makes so much more sense to me the more I research my Choctaw roots. Truly amazing...

[@denepride2910]

Why do Blacks ride the coat tails of Native American and act like they contributed lots when in fact Blacks did little compare to Native Americans. One things for sure Your not gonna hear any Blacks pretending to be part Native in Canada.kinda hard believing if Blacks really are what they say they are because I never see any of these wannabes standing next to the Natives about Native issues in America like for example Blacks don't find "redskins" offensive compare to the N-word. Remember redskins is a term for scalping of Natives..

[@AnarchoPurp]

M8 what the fuck are you saying?

[@Raggman42]

Dene Pride are you talking about the black Irish or African American people?

[@tamlynn786]

@@denepride2910 You make a valid point but the answer goes much deeper than that. As someone with native and black (African) ancestory, I can speak on this because I see it from both sides of the coin. My Choctaw lineage comes through my father’s side. He is black and Choctaw. The ugly truth, that no one wants to talk about, is that there were Choctaw who owned slaves. Those slaves also walked on the trail of tears with the Choctaw, as was expected for slaves to do. But for some unknown reason, this is left out from the history of the trail of tears. Not surprisingly, the Choctaw and their slaves or freed men had “relations” which resulted in children. The Dawes Act, initially did not recognize those children as being native for many years after and membership was denied them. Eventually through many hard fought processes, Choctaw nation recognized those descendants as being Choctaw blood related. In my personal opinion recognition goes both ways. Many within the native community still to this day do not accept black Choctaw members. Or I should say black members feel ostracized by the native community. Yes racism towards black Choctaws exist, unfortunately, within the native community. Both sides could do more to embrace each other in their distinctive and shared pursuits. PS. I also want to mention that this is not exclusive to Choctaw Nation. Many other tribes owned slaves, such as the Cherokee. Also, you mentioned not hearing of any blacks claiming native ancestory in Canada, I’m not well versed on the history of Canada in relation to slavery but that could be a reason why. If Canadian Natives didn’t own slaves, it makes sense that there was not intermingling of lineage between the two.

[@Anhorish]

@@tamlynn786 The Seminoles of Florida made runaway slaves tribal members and resisted white demands that they and their subsequent offspring be returned to their "masters." Most of the tribe was forcibly moved to Ok. I have no doubt natives and slaves have a varied history depending on the era and the region.

[@brianmckenna1024]

Love and best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪💚

[@ArtemisAsteri]

I'm english born with Irish ancestors on both sides of my family. Thank you to our native American brothers and sisters for your help all those years ago and we gladly repay that friendship. Thank you again. X

[@mikapettersennomura]

Ok, so I’ve gradually learned...I’m descended from The clan Cameron, and the Camerons and the Choctaw nation and my name is Sean Mika Taylor (Taylor was Cameron!). Halito

[@frunomaol5069]

I was emotional listening to the lady who works for the Choctaw Nation. I could see the emotion in her eyes. I had heard about the Choctaw Gift to Irish Nation. Thank you/ Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an mBronntanas sin, a Dhaoine Uaisle.

[@MarvinofMars]

I completed the trail of tears in 2001 festinated by what happened these people travelled over from Ireland, I only discovered the full extent of the Irish Native Americans at the famine. I was building a hospital carpark in 2012 and came upon a mass famine grave during the ground investigations, 160M by 80M in size area of multiple bodies in a single graves. We halted work immediately and had the area left in respect. It held the 3rd highest death count for any work house. Thousands graves, the famine may have been 1845 era but still affects now.

[@NegativeAccelerate]

It’s amazing how the Choctaw tribe donated while suffering but many people today find it hard to give up €5 to famine in Yemen, or to Palestinians or Venezuelans.

[@kevindunlop9833]

Well done Alex and Middleton.It blends beautifuly with nature .No commercial bullshit in the English language needed to deface the setting with signs to be in turn a target graffiti.A striking mester piece tells it's own story don't spoil it let stand proudly alone so the people of Ireland will know and remember the Choctaw gift of long ago .That all that matters