We Are One

Inspired by this NY Times article, I have expanded with additional context.

In the early 1800's, several Native American tribes in the Deep South had been living as autonomous nations. During this time American settlers had been pressuring the federal government to remove Native Americans from the Southeast. 

America's population was expanding, more settlers were coming, therefore, more of the native land was wanted. 

In 1830, the Indian Removal Act, signed in by President Andrew Jackson, authorized the government to extinguish Native American title to their land. The Choctaw became the first Nation to be removed in 1831. A few years later came the Trail of Tears, a 1000 mile, 3 month walk, to the west. 15,000 Native American's died during the journey from malnutrition, exhaustion and disease.

In 1845, over 4000 miles away in Ireland, began the Irish Potato Famine. The potato famine was the result of a fungus and infestation that destroyed crops over a 7 year period. About 1 million people died due to related causes and starvation. 

In 1847, the Choctaw people heard of the devastation and sent $170 (equivalent to around 5k today) to help the Irish during The Potato Famine. 

A bond and love between people was formed, and not forgotten. 

Today, Native American tribes have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus, with the Navajo Nation having one of the worst outbreaks in the United States. 

Hundreds of Irish people are repaying in kind, many giving to two separate charities, which have raised more than $1.8 million to supply water, food and health supplies to people in the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. Over half a million of the money raised came from Irish donors.

We are one.