The Kindred Spirits Monument celebrates the connection between Ireland and the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island / North America, in particular with the Choctaw Nation.

To begin Landspeak 2022, we organised a special event at this monument, which was kindly hosted by David Stanton TD. After David’s words of welcome, Louise Halfe shared some thoughts and read a poem, Joseph Naytowhow sang a song, and gave a blessing. Canadian Ambassador Nancy Smyth spoke warmly of the importance of this occasion. Following the event, the Landspeak group were welcomed for a poetry event in St. Colman’s Community College, where students shared their poetry and song with the visitors. Louise and Joseph shared their poetry and song, and Brian Solomon surprised us all by engaging everyone in the room in an impromptu dance. It was a wonderful start to Landspeak 2022.