Native Americans Send Ireland $170 As 1845 Famine Aid, Ireland Gives Back By Fueling $2.9M COVID-19 Relief Fund In 2020
They say that people never forget kindness and generosity, especially if it comes at a time when nobody expected any. This time, 173 years have passed and people thought that now was the time to return the favor.
A number of Irish people have started generously donating to the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund on GoFundMe. Many of the donations came with comments like “We will never forget your kindness,” “From Ireland with love,” and “Returning the kindness and grace shown to us during the famine.”
In order to understand this movement in full, let’s rewind.
A GoFundMe was launched to help Navajo & Hopi communities during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic
Image credits: Vanessa Tully / Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
175 years ago, Ireland found itself in a difficult situation that is nowadays referred to the Great Irish Famine (sometimes the Irish Potato Famine). It was a period of starvation and disease that lasted 4 years, leading to around 1 million deaths, massive emigration, and change in the country’s political and cultural landscape.
During this time, a Native American tribe from current-day Southeastern US territories heard about these troubles and decided to help out their friends across the Atlantic. Having gone through similar events themselves just 16 years prior, which they call the Trail of Tears, they gathered together $170 and sent it to the starving Irish people.
And the fundraiser’s organizers started to notice how a vast number of Irish people are donating
Image credits: mariafarrell
Now, before you go saying that $170 is barely enough (if at all) to make a family of 4 last a week, inflation adjusted, back then this was $4,700 at the very least, with other calculation methods suggesting that it could have been as high as $20,000. Even besides the money, this was a gesture of kindness and solidarity to a people across a vast ocean that they’d had very limited contact with, if any at this point.
So, fast forward 173 years later, today two other Native American communities, the Navajo & Hopi, are undergoing hardship. The localities of these nations are extreme food deserts, with the communities themselves having a high number of elderly, diabetic, asthmatic, and cancer-afflicted residents. So when COVID-19 came along, it was a situation of being kicked whilst being down already.
Turns out, the Irish are now donating as thanks to Native Americans who did the same 173 years ago
Image credits: Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
As of April 19th, there were nearly 1,200 cases, of which 44 led to deaths among the tribes. According to Cassandra Begay, Director of Communications of this fundraising initiative, the community is experiencing the same numbers of COVID-19 cases per capita as is the State of New York, but they are, unfortunately, not receiving adequate resources to deal with the crisis. This is essentially more than in any of the other 48 US States, as said by Aaron Yazzie in his tweet.
Once a fundraiser was launched to help these communities, a number of Irish people started jumping on board the charity train in solidarity with the Native American people who once reached out a helping hand to them when they were going through similar hardship.
Choctaw tribes donated 170$ (eq. $4,700 today) to Ireland during the Great Famine—so Ireland returned the favor
Image credits: Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
Soon, the organizers of the fundraiser noticed a trend in their donations: people with traditionally Irish names were sending in donations with comments like “We will never forget your kindness,” “From Ireland with love,” “Returning the kindness and grace shown to us during the famine,” “Happy to repay a debt owed by Ireland,” “When Ireland was in need, you understood what solidarity really looked like,” and similar messages.
This was, of course, referring to the Great Irish Famine, showing that the people have not forgotten the acts of kindness of the American Natives nearly two hundred years ago.
People have begun noticing the wholesome notes under donations, which soon went viral
Image credits: NaomiOhReally
People have begun taking notice of this and spreading the good news on Twitter, which inevitably led to the news extending to other online social media platforms. Naomi O’Leary, an Irish Times Correspondent, was one of the first to notice this and to draw attention to the good deed of the Irish people. Others like Maria Farrell, an Irish speaker and writer, also spread word of the wholesome news, after which the news went viral.
The fundraiser was launched March 15 and has since then raised $2.9 million towards helping the Navajo & Hopi communities. With over 43,000 donors, each donating anywhere between $1 to $5,000, the fundraiser is well on its way to reaching its goal of $3 million.
Watch the official Navajo & Hopi COVID-19 relief video for more details on the issue
Image credits: Karney Hatch
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in humanity, and this story once again shows that humans will always be bros in the face of adversity, even if nearly two centuries have passed. And if you want to make it even better, why not donate to the cause here?
What did you think about this feel-good story? Let us know in the comments section below!
Jason Momoa’s pure water relief charity MANANALU also pitched in to help the communities
Image credits: Jason Momoa/ Deidra Peaches
Here’s how people online reacted to this wholesome story
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Thanksgiving was a way for the 1st English settellers to thank the American Natives for having helped the pligrames to have food and how to to plant crops. In return later on the Europeans stole their land and practice genocide. America 🇺🇸 never was great, it was built on slavery, genocide of the American Natives and destroying the Buffaloes to take the food of Indians living on the plains, and destroying vast territories for their cattle and farms.
Jevais, you are wrong about one essential thing. America was and always will be great. It's more than a country, but also an idea of freedom. Of course, we regret the terrible things that happened, and America wasn't always in the right! It wasn't "built" on slavery though, or killing Native Americans. There were plenty of shameful things in our culture, but we cannot overlook what America itself is made to stand for. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Load More Replies...This actually gave me chills. It is so heart warming, bless both the Natives and the warm-hearted Irish!!!
Exactly. The blame game can be played after the pandemic
Load More Replies...This is one of the best uses of government money I have ever seen!
At least the President of Ireland has a dog... Trump just gets to throw frisbees at Pence! :)
Load More Replies...The numbers are slightly off. The $170 of 1845 is worth $5,773.63 today. For comparison: the average income for an unskilled farm worker in 1845 was about $0.38 per day (and I imagine for First Nations people it was much less). That works out to about 450 days of labor. Today the average farm worker makes about $12/hour. The $2.9m is the equivalent of 38,666 days of labor today.
This is so sweet, got my eyes teary. This kind of stories should be shared more and should be included in history. Each generations can learn something from this beautiful story. Hopefully, everyone who is suffering from this pandemic can fully recover soon.
It is said that people never forget kindness and generosity? I heard a different saying, which asserts that people tend to forget a good deed but never forget unfavorable feat, no matter how much one apologizes.
The tribes of Wind River Wyoming are also in great financial distress. US Govt failed to provide promised CoVid tests so they paid out off pocket to preserve/ prevent spread by asymptomatic people. Literally fighting for their lives
The Tribes face the same problem Puerto Rico and DC do; They are directly run(into the ground) by Congress
Load More Replies...Thank you to people in Ireland who are facing the same pandemic, but recognized the immense need of Native Americans who have been ignored and abandoned by President Trump and Republicans -- the Democratic relief bill from the House included Native Americans and EVERYONE in our borders, because this virus doesn't discriminate: as long as anyone is infected, we all remain at risk.
This is not about the President or the Republicans, so don't paint a false narrative! But otherwise, I agree with your statement and I find this article to show the best of humankind.
Load More Replies...The relief the Indians sent to the Irish the first recorded relief to people who were in need. The US government also sent help. Notice we who are across the ocean sent help, but the closet country did not.
As someone who is part Choctaw I am so grateful and proud to see this. Love is truly stronger. May they be blessed.
My dad left Ireland as a kid, and came to nz where I mow live. I didn't know about this kindness shown to my ancestors. I'm really touched, and have just donated. Who knows if I'd be here if not for generosity such as theirs that they showed to my ancestors. https://www.gofundme.com/f/NHFC19Relief?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet
I am so touched by this story, but I am not at all surprised. The Irish people are the kindest and most genuine people in the world. I remember seeing a statue/memorial in Ireland commemorating the generosity from the Choctaw during the famine. It is a well known piece of history there.
I'm not crying, you're crying!!! Yes I'm crying, my heart just feels so warm right now <3
You reap what you sow. What goes around comes around. Be nice to others, help someone if you can, and wash your hands!
I had no idea. Thanks for informing us. I'm Scottish, not Irish, but today Ireland is my favorite country. Erin go Bragh!
Everyone born in America is a native American.
Load More Replies...We all know European settlers killed 56 million indigenous people over about 100 years in South, Central and North America. It is true, that happened and nobody can change the past. But you can't judge someone because of what their ancestors did. Also we are talking about Irish people here who had too much from The United Kingdom. Because of the British policy of mass starvation inflicted on Ireland from 1845 to 1850 1 million died and 1 million emigrated from Ireland. (You can search "Black 47" )This was "genocide" against Irish People and it is legally defined by the United Nations. After all those years, these Earthlings are helping each other. They are saying "I'm sorry what happened in the past but I'm only responsible for what I do." and they are doing great things. Instead of starting a war between races, they are helping each other. Be like Irish, be like Native Americans, be a good person.
Not an investment, an act of pure kindness. This is the thing that is beautiful about ppl, when true philanthropy happens.
Load More Replies...You said it, Reservation! Why are the American Natives parked in a Reservation? Look it up and learn some history about what the Whites did to the Original Natives. It's a long sad story of theft, genocide, lies; treaties that were never honored, starvation, children kidnapped by the government to break their identity, I could go on and on of the wrong doings done to these people.
Load More Replies...Thanksgiving was a way for the 1st English settellers to thank the American Natives for having helped the pligrames to have food and how to to plant crops. In return later on the Europeans stole their land and practice genocide. America 🇺🇸 never was great, it was built on slavery, genocide of the American Natives and destroying the Buffaloes to take the food of Indians living on the plains, and destroying vast territories for their cattle and farms.
Jevais, you are wrong about one essential thing. America was and always will be great. It's more than a country, but also an idea of freedom. Of course, we regret the terrible things that happened, and America wasn't always in the right! It wasn't "built" on slavery though, or killing Native Americans. There were plenty of shameful things in our culture, but we cannot overlook what America itself is made to stand for. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Load More Replies...This actually gave me chills. It is so heart warming, bless both the Natives and the warm-hearted Irish!!!
Exactly. The blame game can be played after the pandemic
Load More Replies...This is one of the best uses of government money I have ever seen!
At least the President of Ireland has a dog... Trump just gets to throw frisbees at Pence! :)
Load More Replies...The numbers are slightly off. The $170 of 1845 is worth $5,773.63 today. For comparison: the average income for an unskilled farm worker in 1845 was about $0.38 per day (and I imagine for First Nations people it was much less). That works out to about 450 days of labor. Today the average farm worker makes about $12/hour. The $2.9m is the equivalent of 38,666 days of labor today.
This is so sweet, got my eyes teary. This kind of stories should be shared more and should be included in history. Each generations can learn something from this beautiful story. Hopefully, everyone who is suffering from this pandemic can fully recover soon.
It is said that people never forget kindness and generosity? I heard a different saying, which asserts that people tend to forget a good deed but never forget unfavorable feat, no matter how much one apologizes.
The tribes of Wind River Wyoming are also in great financial distress. US Govt failed to provide promised CoVid tests so they paid out off pocket to preserve/ prevent spread by asymptomatic people. Literally fighting for their lives
The Tribes face the same problem Puerto Rico and DC do; They are directly run(into the ground) by Congress
Load More Replies...Thank you to people in Ireland who are facing the same pandemic, but recognized the immense need of Native Americans who have been ignored and abandoned by President Trump and Republicans -- the Democratic relief bill from the House included Native Americans and EVERYONE in our borders, because this virus doesn't discriminate: as long as anyone is infected, we all remain at risk.
This is not about the President or the Republicans, so don't paint a false narrative! But otherwise, I agree with your statement and I find this article to show the best of humankind.
Load More Replies...The relief the Indians sent to the Irish the first recorded relief to people who were in need. The US government also sent help. Notice we who are across the ocean sent help, but the closet country did not.
As someone who is part Choctaw I am so grateful and proud to see this. Love is truly stronger. May they be blessed.
My dad left Ireland as a kid, and came to nz where I mow live. I didn't know about this kindness shown to my ancestors. I'm really touched, and have just donated. Who knows if I'd be here if not for generosity such as theirs that they showed to my ancestors. https://www.gofundme.com/f/NHFC19Relief?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet
I am so touched by this story, but I am not at all surprised. The Irish people are the kindest and most genuine people in the world. I remember seeing a statue/memorial in Ireland commemorating the generosity from the Choctaw during the famine. It is a well known piece of history there.
I'm not crying, you're crying!!! Yes I'm crying, my heart just feels so warm right now <3
You reap what you sow. What goes around comes around. Be nice to others, help someone if you can, and wash your hands!
I had no idea. Thanks for informing us. I'm Scottish, not Irish, but today Ireland is my favorite country. Erin go Bragh!
Everyone born in America is a native American.
Load More Replies...We all know European settlers killed 56 million indigenous people over about 100 years in South, Central and North America. It is true, that happened and nobody can change the past. But you can't judge someone because of what their ancestors did. Also we are talking about Irish people here who had too much from The United Kingdom. Because of the British policy of mass starvation inflicted on Ireland from 1845 to 1850 1 million died and 1 million emigrated from Ireland. (You can search "Black 47" )This was "genocide" against Irish People and it is legally defined by the United Nations. After all those years, these Earthlings are helping each other. They are saying "I'm sorry what happened in the past but I'm only responsible for what I do." and they are doing great things. Instead of starting a war between races, they are helping each other. Be like Irish, be like Native Americans, be a good person.
Not an investment, an act of pure kindness. This is the thing that is beautiful about ppl, when true philanthropy happens.
Load More Replies...You said it, Reservation! Why are the American Natives parked in a Reservation? Look it up and learn some history about what the Whites did to the Original Natives. It's a long sad story of theft, genocide, lies; treaties that were never honored, starvation, children kidnapped by the government to break their identity, I could go on and on of the wrong doings done to these people.
Load More Replies...
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