Home in Ireland

Raised by a single mom who is a teacher, Ciara knows formal education will help her achieve her dreams of becoming a director. While earning her bachelor’s degree at California State University Northridge, Ciara worked in various positions on film crews — production assistant, art director, director, producer, and sound mixer. Ciara was awarded the 2020 Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship Programme to pursue her MA in Film and Screen Media at the University College Cork (UCC).

She is drawing from her Choctaw and Irish roots to formulate a story. She will bring it to life by the end of the school year — a film on the Choctaw gift to the Irish in the 1840s during the Great Famine.

“I believe that my ancestors, my grandmas and grandpas, are blessing me with this opportunity,” Ciara says. “It’s something I wanted but couldn’t have achieved without the program. My mother raised me with knowledge about my tribe and doing Irish dancing. Our people are truly kindred spirits. They’ve gone through so many similar things that they’re able to understand one another. It’s something I’m proud to share, how my ancestors helped each other, and because of that, I’m here.”

Before Ciara left for Ireland in September 2020, she used Google Maps to virtually walk up and down the roads of her new stomping grounds, sizing up where to get groceries and take walks. But virtual didn’t fully prepare her for the lush countryside and the height of the buildings when she finally stepped foot in Ireland. 

“It’s very green, and there’s so much land,” Ciara says. “Part of the River Lee is next to my housing. Being from a beach, it is so nice to have moving water by me.” 

When not studying or attending virtual classes, Ciara finds herself taking walks along the river. Though the campus buildings are currently closed due to COVID-19, Ciara enjoys exploring the grounds. 

Credit: Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer