Irish & Native American Friendship - Youth (Unisex)

Each Feather Bear t-shirt tells a cultural story, and this one is no different. We added a Native twist to the letters in the word “Irish” to highlight the little-known relationship between Native Americans and Irish people.

This story starts in the 1830s when the U.S. government forced more than 12,500 Choctaw people to leave their homes in Mississippi. Many traveled on foot thousands of miles to Oklahoma. It was a sad and difficult journey. This dark event in human history is often referred to as the “Trail of Tears”.

Years later, in 1847 during the Irish Potato Famine, the Choctaw Nation heard about the struggles that the Irish people were having and could empathize with their plight. Though they did not have much money, the Choctaw people pooled together $170 (about $5,000 today) and sent it to Ireland for families in need.

This selfless act of kindness sparked an on-going relationship between Native American and Irish people that continues to this day. In 2020, Irish people donated over half a million dollars to the Navajo and Hopi reservations to help families who were struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, the Irish lacrosse team gave up their spot in the 2022 World Games so that a Native American team could compete.

Even though an ocean and over 4,000 miles separate them, Native Americans and Irish have had each other’s backs for nearly 200 years. These people gave selflessly to others who were different from them without expecting anything in return. We hope that this shirt inspires young people to do the same.

• 100% soft jersey cotton
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic Heather is 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed
• Relaxed unisex fit

*Heather forest is 52% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% poly / Athletic Heather is 90% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% poly