Bhailigh bundhúchasaigh Mheiriceá náisiún Choctaw $US170 chun cabhrú le muintir na hÉireann le linn an ghorta mhóir sna blianta1840. Ba mhór an éacht dóibh a leithéid a dhéanamh agus gan ach sé bliana déag caite ó am an ghátair dóibh féin, nuair a díbríodh as a dtailte dúchais iad féin. Thug siad faoin mbóthar fada, dian go Oklahoma agus cailleadh leath dá muintir ar an turas. Dá bharr sin, tá sé thar a bheith oiriúnach go mbeadh cuid dá sliocht páirteach i gcuimhneachán na tragóide in Éirinn. Labhair Gary Whitedeer, duine de chinnirí na siúloide, leis an slua, ina theanga dhúchais féin, agus Gaeilge agus as Béarla.
The Choctaw nation of Native American gave a donation of $US170 for famine relief in Ireland in the 1840s. It was an incredible act of generosity only sixteen years after their own ‘trail of tears’ when they were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands. They undertook the long and arduous journey to Oklahoma and half their people died en route . It is therefore most appropriate that the people of the Choctaw Nation be part of modern day remembrance of this Irish tragedy and their wonderful gesture. One of the Carlow walk leaders was Gary Whitedeer, who spoke in his own language, in Irish and in English to the walk participants.
Cuireadh tús leis an ócáid ag an Agora ag Coláiste Teicneolaíochta Cheatharlach. Chuir Martin Smith, séiplíneach an choláiste, fáilte roimh gach duine agus tar éis cúpla véarsa de “Oró ‘Sé do Bheatha Abhaile”, thug an slua aghaidh ar Reilg an Ghorta ar an mBóthar Glas, agus bratach AFRI chun tosaigh orthu.
Thug David Ryan, Cláraitheoir Cúnta an choláiste, óráid dhá-theangach. Rinne sé cur síos ar lion na dtíortha go bhfuil gá iontu le tacaíocht mar a tharla anseo in Éirinn in aimsir an ghorta agus labhair sé faoin dualgas atá orainn an tacaíocht sin a thabhairt dóibh, mar a thug an Náisiún Choctaw dúinn fadó. Rinne sé comparáid idir na longa báis a úsáideadh chun muintir na hÉireann a iompar agus na báid atá in úsáid ag fir, mná agus páistí faoi láthair agus iad ag iarraidh an Mheánmhuir a thrasnú, ag súil le saol nua. Thaispeáin Dr. Ryan an áit ar shuíomh an choláiste ina mbíodh Teach na mBocht lonnaithe. Tógadh an teach sin do 800 ach faoin mbliain 1849, bhí breis is 3,088 ag cur fúthu ann, idir fhir, mhná agus pháistí.
The event began in Carlow I.T, at the Agora. Martin Smith, SPS, chaplain of Carlow I.T. welcomed everyone and following a rendition of “Óró ‘Sé do Bheatha Bhaile”, the walk moved off behind the AFRI banner to the Famine Plot on Green Road.
Dr. David Ryan, Assistant Registrar of the I.T gave a bi-lingual address, emphasizing how many countries are now experiencing the kind of tragedies Irish people suffered in the Famine years and the need for us to respond to help, just as the Choctaw Nation once helped us. He likened the coffin ships to the un-seaworthy vessels now attempting to cross the Mediterranean, both filled with men, women and children seeking hope for themselves and their loved ones. Dr. Ryan also pointed out the actual location of the Workhouse, now part of the I.T. campus. The original capacity of Carlow Union Workhouse was for 800 persons. Occupancy in 1849 reached 3,088 men, women and children.
Chuir Gary Whitedeer tús lena óráid ina theanga dhúchais. Mheabhraigh sé tabhacht “an chroí mhaith” don slua agus mhínigh sé do na páistí go mbeidís, laistigh de thamall gearr, ina measc siúd a bheadh i mbun chinní móra an domhain a dhéanamh. Labhair sé faoin dualgas atá orainn maidir leis an timpeallacht agus lena chéile.
Gary Whitedeer began his address in his native tongue. He reminded everyone assembled of the importance of ” a good heart” and impressed on the children that, in the not too distant future, that they will be the decision makers. He spoke of our duty to care to our planet and to each other.
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