Choctaw Nation Unveils ‘Eternal Heart’ Sculpture

TVSHKA HOMMA, Okla. – Choctaw tribal members, tribal leaders, and dignitaries from Oklahoma and Ireland gathered at the Choctaw Capitol Grounds on Aug. 30 to unveil a new sculpture honoring the Choctaw-Irish connection. The sculpture was a joint commission, funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation.

Built by Choctaw Nation tribal member Samuel Stitt, the 8-foot-tall sculpture combines a Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart and is specifically placed facing toward Ireland.

The “Eternal Heart” sculpture was designed to honor the eternal bond forged between the Choctaw Nation and the people of Ireland.

“There is no beginning or end to the overall piece – thus, it is eternal,” sculptor Sam Stitt said.

During a ceremony, 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.”

Although separated by thousands of miles, these two nations are forever entwined because of an act of kindness that transcended time and distance almost two centuries ago.

Irish Minister of State Thomas Byrne T.D. 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.”

In 1847, the Choctaw Nation, having recently endured the arduous journey known as the “Trail of tears,” selflessly came together to raise over $170 (equivalent to $5,000 today) to support the Irish during the Great Famine. The Choctaws’ heartfelt donation was sent to Midleton in County Cork, providing much-needed relief to the Irish.

Decades later, the people of Midleton discovered the true significance of this act of generosity. They realized that the Choctaws, at the time of their donation, were also rebuilding their society and government after their own painful displacement. This shared experience of resilience and compassion laid the foundation for a lasting friendship.

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 honor 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 honor this sacred bond through various acts of generosity. In 2020, amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Irish people once again demonstrated their unwavering support by providing aid to Native American tribes severely impacted by the crisis.

“It is a great honor to have a hand in exemplifying the Choctaw-Irish connection through my art,” said Samuel Stitt. “The Choctaw culture of giving and caring for others is passed down to each generation. The ‘Eternal Heart’ is an artistic interpretation of how the Irish people and Choctaw Nation will forever be connected by that human characteristic of compassion – one people for another.”

The unveiling of the “Eternal Heart” sculpture serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and solidarity and stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between the Choctaw Nation and people of Ireland.

Background of Eternal Heart

Artist: Samuel Stitt, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member

All the elements are symbolic and created with specific references in mind. “There is no beginning or end to the overall piece – thus, it is eternal,” Stitt said.

The sculpture has a very specific orientation, with the heart – representing the Choctaw Nation – facing toward Ireland. It is an 8-foot-tall sculpture combining a Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart and is specifically placed facing toward Ireland. The concrete base is edged with diamond shapes, a Choctaw symbol of reverence to the diamondback snake.

The sculpture sits atop a mound, honoring the heritage of mound-building of the Choctaw ancestors as well as the ancient “hill forts” and mounds found in Ireland. The winding footpath represents the Trail of Tears, with the exact orientation mirroring the arduous route from the Mississippi homelands to Indian Country. Also included with the sculpture is a design for an informational sign.

Funding for the project is through the Chahta Foundation and the Government of Ireland.