Ireland recognizes First Nations on St. Patrick’s Day

To the Editor:

Ireland is now a wealthy and affluentĀ country. However in 1847, it was in the throes of a devastating famine. Of course this is all well known and thoroughly documented.

But what is not well known is that in Canada severalĀ First Nations bands of indigenous peopleĀ came together to donate money for the relief of suffering in Ireland in 1847. One such band was theĀ Ā Saugeen, Ojibwa of Lake Huron. I’m sure these folks were only marginally better off than the starving Irish.

The contribution of the Canadian First Nations bands is being recognized in Ireland on this St Patrick’s Day.

Today, I am truly humbled to be living in the midst of the descendants of these wonderful people.

Gerard Walsh