Oklahoma Dancers in Dublin World Championship

Tahlequah-area Dancers Competing in the World Championship in Ireland

A small-town group of Oklahoma Irish dancers, ages 9-22, will travel to Ireland in April 2025 to perform an interpretation of the Choctaw tribe's story of their forced removal, and their generosity toward another nation struggling with hunger. This is no small feat. Years of preparation and hours of choreographic development, instruction, and training have reached the ultimate goal of presenting this amazing story of perseverance and humanity on a global stage, the International Irish Dance Championships.

For the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole tribes, this journey began almost 200 years ago. In the late 1830s, a forced relocation of the Eastern Woodland Indians of the Southeast region of the United States commenced and ended in what was named Indian Territory; now known as Oklahoma. Thousands died of starvation and malnutrition during the treacherous travels across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

A little over a decade later, the Irish found themselves destitute across a vast sea. The Great Irish Famine began in 1845. A major provider of food for Great Britain, the majority of Irish were poor and could not afford the food they grew for export. When they were unable to produce sufficient food for their own consumption, thousands died from starvation, and hundreds of thousands more from diseases as a result of malnutrition. It is estimated that 1 million Irish men, women, and children perished during the famine, and another 1-2 million emigrated.

The Chahta, better known as Choctaw, had a history of helping others. Only 16 years after they began their long, arduous, forced march along what is known as the Trail of Tears, the Choctaws learned of people starving to death in Ireland. In 1847, with great empathy, Choctaw individuals collected donations totaling $170 (the modern day equivalent about $6,500), to assist the Irish during the famine, an amazing gesture and was recognized as an extraordinary event. Though the Choctaw people had meager resources, they gave on behalf of others in greater need. This charitable attitude resonates still today when crises occur across the world. There are countless stories of Choctaw individuals who have looked past their own needs to help their neighbors.

Ireland continues to be grateful for the generosity of the Choctaw people where a memorial was erected in Cork, as a tribute, and aptly named Kindred Spirits, which features nine giant stainless-steel feathers shaped into an empty bowl.

Irish Dance and Dance Drama

Irish dancing is a traditional dance incorporating social, competitive, and performance opportunities. Our dancers train at McCafferty Academy of Irish Dance, under the instruction of PJ and Judy McCafferty and – locally under Elena Gladkova-Huffman TCRG.

Each entry for the Dance Drama competition must portray an Irish historical or traditional story. Dancers have up to 6 minutes to present the story to the adjudicators, and 5 minutes to set up and tear down. Teams are judged on story portrayal, dance, costumes, and overall impact.

This idea was born by studying the impact of this event on both Choctaws and the Irish, researching traditional clothing and games, like the stickball sticks and the hurley, and music. We wanted to show respect to the tribe with traditional clothing and props, and create connections. Our team was honored to participate in the Choctaw’s very first St Patrick’s Day event, share in the tribe’s social dancing, and teach the audience a bit of an Irish jig in return.

This Dance Drama has received 1st place at Southern Regional Oireachtas in 2023, 2nd at North American Irish Dance Championships in 2024, and 3rd place at Southern Regional Oireachtas in 2024. We have made numerous changes to the set choreography and musical selection to bring the best quality to the stage in Dublin.

Irish Dance Championships take place in Dublin, on April 18th. We plan on taking this trip and competing, followed by taking the team to Cork, Ireland, and performing in front of the Kindred Spirits statue – thus concluding its run - inviting local audience and sharing our story with everyone for free.

Our dance team includes Lauren, 22, Mackenzie*, 20, Julianne, 15, Ella Mae*, 15, Madilyn, 15, Nikolai 14, Katelyn, 13, Scarlett*, 10, Jemma, 9, Teagan* 9, Jentry*, 9 and WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! If you choose to help financially, your donations will be tax-deductible, as Encore! Performing Society, a 501c3 organization, dedicated to immersion in arts through education and participation, has been selected to oversee this dance drama. We invite you to be a part of our dance team. As we all know a project of this magnitude takes a village! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all these dancers. All but 3 have never been outside of the USA. Five dancers are Native American, but all dancers have learned the history and cultural component and understand the empathy and struggles both nations had faced during this time. (* denotes Native American dancer).

Estimated Costs:

Dancer Travel/Food/Lodging:

(11 Dancers @ $2,400/each) $26,400

Shipping Costs (Props and Costumes) $1,100

Costume Replacement $1,200

Team Warm-ups with the USA flag and sponsors $5,000

Transportation to Cork, Ireland to perform at the Kindred Spirits memorial $950

Estimated total for Dancers $34,650

It is our dancers hope that as the Choctaws generosity and giving to another nation will inspire you to help support these young athletes.

(Pictured are some of the team members during the St Patrick`s Day performance in Durant, OK with the Choctaw dancers)

Thank you!