Tá dáimh agus nasc ag Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí leis an phobal Choctaw as Hartshorne, Oklahoma, Meiriceá a théann siar go thart ar 2008/2009, nuair a bhí an Máistir Seosamh Mac Suibhne mar Phríomhoide ar an scoil.
Le linn do bheith ag múineadh na Staire, mhothaigh an Máistir Seosamh go raibh stair na hÉireann, i dtaca aimsir an drochshaoil go háirithe, lán de bhrón agus drochscéalta. Le linn dó scéal dearfach a chuardach, d’aimsigh sé scéal faoin phobal bundúchasach ‘Choctaw’ a bhí díthalmhaithe i Meiriceá ach a thug síntiús $170 do mhuintir na hÉireann a bhí ag fáil bháis den ocras le linn an Ocrais Mhóir.
Mar gheall air sin, chuardaigh an Máistir Seosamh eolas faoin phobal Choctaw agus d’aimsigh sé an scoil, Jones Academy, in Hartshorne, Oklahoma a fhreastlaíonn ar an phobal Choctaw. Scríobh an máistir litir chuig príomhoide na scoile sin ag an am, Brad Spears agus chuir seo tús le nasc agus gaol fada idir an dá scoil agus an dá phobal, ag cómóradh agus ag céiliúradh an gaol stairiúil idir an dá náisiúin.
D'eagraigh Máistir Seosamh imeachtaí agus ócáidí móra, stairiúla thar na mblianta, áit a mbíodh staraithe nó polaiteoirí mór le rá i láthair, ar nós Don Mullen agus John Hume. Ceann de na himeachtaí a eagraíodh na siúlóid chuimhneacháin ar an ghaol leis an phobal Choctaw, siúlóid a tharla gach bliain agus a raibh réimse scoileanna áitiúla páirteacha ann. Lean muid leis an traidisiúin sin i mbliana lenár siúlóid i mí an Mheithimh.
Tá sé mar sprioc againn agus muid san fhoirgneamh nua, an nasc sin a athláidriú idir ár scoil agus an pobal 'Choctaw' in Oklahoma.
Our school has an affinity and a connection to the Choctaw people of Hartshorne, Oklahoma, USA, that stretches back to 2008/2009, when the Máistir Seosamh Mac Suibhne was principal of the school.
Whilst teaching History, Máistir Seosamh felt that Ireland's history, particulary around the time of the Great Hunger, was full of sorrow and sad stories. As he searched for positive stories, he came across a story regarding the native 'Choctaw' nation in America, who were displaced from their native lands and yet despite this, gave a donation of $170 to the Irish people who were dying of starvation during the Great Hunger.
As a result of that, Máistir Seosamh sought information on the Choctaw nation and found that their school, Jones' Academy in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. Máistir Seosamh wrote a letter to the principal at the time, Mr. Brad Spears and that found the basis of a long-lasting link between both schools and both communities, to commemorate the historic connection of both our nations.
Máistir Seosamh organised large and prestigious events, often attended by famous historians and politicians, such as Don Mullen and John Hume. One of the best events was a commemorative walk on the connection between the Irish and Choctaw people. This happened every year and was attended by various local schools. We continued that tradition last year with our Choctaw walk in June.
It is our aim since we moved to our new building, to re-strengthen the connection and link between our school and the Choctaw people in Oklahoma.
