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Host: Shawn O’Spruce
This St. Patrick’s Day we explore the historic links between Ireland and Native Americans – from mutual aid during times of crisis to their shared battle against colonization and the extended trauma that comes with it. We also preview the new show “Aaron Power! The Musical” premiering today that tells the story of a Navajo man seeking out his Irish heritage.
GUESTS
Conor Donnan, adjunct professor at Hood College
Dan Haughey, writer of “Aaron Power! The Musical”
Ira Francisco, actor in “Aaron Power! The Musical”
Break 1 Music: Oldest Rabbit Dance Song (song) William Horncloud (artist) Rabbit Dance Songs of The Lakota (album)
Break 2 music: Song #7 (song) Red Lake Singers (artist) Old Times (album)
Native America Calling is such a great show!
I find myself a little nervous about this show coming up tomorrow because so often people try to look straight across to Ireland from these continents and find the same history at the same time. But, I think it’s well said that the colonization of Ireland, and the previous colonization of Europe itself which was inhabited by Celtic people, was the pilot study for colonization elsewhere in the world by Europeans. That is, all elements are there and were developed on us — they just happen earlier
Most forced removals, for instance, in Ireland happened in the mid 1600s under Henry Cromwell, and the attempt to destroy the language and every element of the culture went on for 100s of years
Anyway, Beannachtaí — Blessings — for doing this show and all that I learn from it!
Go míle raibh maith agat (Thank you/literally: that there be good a thousand times on you)
There is a children’s book titled “The long Walk” by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick about the Choctaw people’s gift to the Irish people during the “Great Hunger”,An Gorta Mor. I was teaching at a Pueblo school ( Laguna Elementary )and was traveling home from Ireland and happened to sit next to the author. I bought the book and it became a staple in our classroom library to go with our Native books and our Irish stories. ( I’m Irish American). There also is a monument in Ireland celebrating the Choctaw people’s gift, which was recently ( before covid) created and unveiled with Choctaw tribal members in attendance.
I love this show and listen often.