By Jamen Shively
Kindred Spirits Ireland (KSI) unites people worldwide to restore Earth and foster planetary peace, inspired by the Choctaw Nation’s 1847 gift to Ireland during the Great Hunger. Despite their own suffering on the Trail of Tears, the Choctaw raised funds and sent emissaries to feed the starving Irish, sparking a 178-year bond of mutual respect between the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America) and Ireland’s Island First Nation.
This July, KSI 2025 brings dozens of Indigenous leaders, wisdom keepers, and peacekeepers from global First Nations from around the world, to County Cork, Ireland, for 11 sacred days (July 10–20). The journey begins with the Full Moon Eighth Fire Ceremony on July 10 at the Kindred Spirits Sculpture in Midleton, where Irish ashes will join global ashes, symbolizing unity and environmental healing. The event culminates in the World Peace Gathering (July 18–20) at Dripsey Castle, featuring talks, ceremonies, and the signing of a Planetary Peace Treaty.
Whidbey Island plays a key role, with local Irish Americans, artist Melissa Koch and partner Jamen Shively co-organizing KSI since 2022 alongside Cork’s artist James Desmond and his daughter, TV and film producer Stephanie Desmond, as well as co-founder Marco Elstermann of Michigan. Koch, known for her Wishing Wall mural at Langley’s Whale Bell Park and canoe-carving with Native American communities, sees this as “a love story between Whidbey, Turtle Island, and Ireland, now going planetary.” Shively adds, “We’re all Indigenous to Mother Earth, and this gathering shares wisdom to unite humanity.”
Many local Whidbey community members have contributed to raising awareness and fundraising, to help sponsor the events. One such dedicated volunteer is Irish American Kristi O'Donnell, a well-known local musician and horticulturalist, who says about KSI, "I am delighted to be working on a project focused on a global awakening call to peace, unity and healing. We have been having a blast doing pop-up art for Kindred Spirits, and getting the community engaged. Everyone loves it."
Hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr., from nearby White Rock, Canada, leads alongside global Indigenous voices, including Navajo Hopi’s Mary Francis, who praises Ireland’s generosity. Ireland, the world’s largest per-capita charity donor, welcomes all with warmth, never having colonized and hosting far more refugees per capita than the European average.
Join virtually via Zoom, staffed by Whidbey volunteers, to connect with kindred spirits worldwide. Learn more at kindredspirits.earth.
