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O'Peqtaw-Metamoh (Flying Eagle Woman)
Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa
July 31, 1957 - March 4, 1999
Dedication
 White
Bison is honored and proud to dedicate The Journey of the
Sacred Hoop, 2002: Healing Native American Women and Children,
to Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa, Flying Eagle Woman.
Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa and her two companions, Lahe'ena'e
Gay, and Terence Freitas were murdered in Colombia in the
winter of 1999 by members of Colombian terrorist guerrillas
known as the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).
All three were visiting the U'wa, an indigenous nation in
Colombia, when they were abducted by the FARC. Attempts by
family, friends and the U.S. government to obtain their release
were futile.
Ingrid
Washinawatok El-Issa's life and work is an inspiration for
Native American women, and all Native people. She worked to
spread healing through her positive energy, charismatic personality,
and her radiant enthusiasm for making the world a better place.
She worked to revitalize indigenous language and cultures.
She was an advocate for intergenerational collaboration—bringing
all parts of the life cycle together. She worked hard helping
to protect the rights of urban Indians and was the recipient
of numerous awards and honors.
Ingrid
was a devoted mother and wife. Her son Maeh-kiw-Kasic ("Maeh-ki"),17,
and her husband Ali El-Issa remain at their residence in Brooklyn,
New York. Husband Ali now serves as the President of the Flying
Eagle Woman Fund, which was established in 2001. The Flying
Eagle Woman Fund's primary mission is to strengthen the sovereignty
of indigenous peoples by building communities that are self-reliant,
while at the same time maintaining and reinforcing their traditional
cultures and ways of life. The Flying Eagle Woman Fund carries
on the spirit of Ingrid Washinawatok's life and work.
We
honor Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa as the beautiful, intelligent,
empowered Menominee woman that she was. We honor her family.
We honor her for her work in philanthropy, Native sovereignty,
and as a role model for healing, education, and peace. We
will remember Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa throughout Hoop
Journey 2002.
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