New sculpture cements enduring friendship between Ireland and Choctaw nation  

Minister of State Thomas Byrne joined members of the Choctaw nation in Oklahoma last week to unveil a new sculpture honouring Irish-Choctaw links.

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

The sculpture, a joint commission funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation, combines a Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart and is placed facing Ireland.

Midleton

The piece is a sister sculpture to Kindred Spirits, the sculpture designed by Irish artist Alex Pentek, which was erected in Midleton in 2017.

The Choctaw Nation has historical links to Cork dating back to the Great Famine, where in 1847, tribe members came together to raise more than $170, equivalent to $5,000 today, to support the Irish.

The Choctaw people’s donation was sent to Midleton to provide much-needed relief for Irish people.

In 1995, relationships with the Choctaw Nation were further developed as then-Irish president Mary Robinson visited the tribe to express gratitude and to rekindle the friendship between the two nations.

During the visit, president Robinson was appointed honorary chief of the Choctaw Nation.

Solidarity

At the unveiling of the sculpture, Mr Byrne 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.

“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.

“I am sure [we] 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.

“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.”

The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian nation in the United States with over 225,000 tribal members.