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We Are All Connected As Women
On learning about Ingrid Washinawatok
The
wafting thread that Ingrid speaks of connects me directly
to the message of Wellbriety—Healing, Hope, Unity and
Forgiveness. These are what give a wholeness to my life as
a woman and to my recovery. In coming to know Ingrid through
her life story I could see that when spirit and intent are
aligned there is a living force that goes out in the work
and has its own energy for goodness. This energy lives even
when the bearer of it is no longer of this world. Creating
this energy is the work of all women, and I thank Ingrid for
her gifts, which have brought more healing to my life. I believe
that what she did for her people will directly affect each
of us in ways that we cannot even imagine. Like ripples in
the pond—circles of connection.
Maybe
it was the smiles on the pictures or her clear, strong voice
on one of the websites talking about the Fourth Mind Concept.
I only know that before the month of May I knew not a thing
about Ingrid—her work, her life, not even her name. Now
I feel like her spirit is a part of me. As I opened my heart
to her work, life story, and message, I began to see that
her work for indigenous people carries a universal message
for women of all the colors and found the healing nature of
her spirit to be very much alive.
I
found myself moved to tears at the account of her violent
death on a mission of peace and prayer to bring unity to the
U'wa people and for the education of children. This simply
saddened my heart so deeply I had to leave the computer articles
and go look at the sky outside my kitchen window, thinking—How
could this happen?? And then attempted to lay it to rest.
But the nature of her spiritual work kept coming back through
my mind and I found myself thinking of her on and off in the
following days. At times tears would come, taking me by surprise
because I didn't even know her.
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"The
traditional Dine People of the Southwest United
States have a very important concept that has
allowed them to make very wise decisions for their
peoples' benefit that is called the Fourth Voice,
or the Fourth Mind.
"This
concept has only recently been explained to me
and how I understand it is that when a member
of a decision making body had to make a decision
that involves an interest close to them they must
go into this concept called the Fourth Mind, or
the Fourth Voice.
"This
Fourth Mind allows you to rise above self-interest
and pose the questions that need to be asked so
that self-interest disappears and an unbiased
decision can be reached. In this way and in only
this way do you know you are making the best decision
for the PEOPLE."
Ingrid Washinatok El-Issa, 1999
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My
heart was touched by the accounts of how she tenderly mothered
her son and took him with her to many of the far away places
where her passionate life work was happening, and was intrigued
and inspired by her work with the Fund for the Four Directions
and the Fourth Mind concept.
I
learned that Ingrid never met a stranger. It is said that
she made everyone feel welcome and I was feeling welcomed
and honored to know her spirit, even in death. The living
spirit of her work invited me to continue to investigate and
I found not sadness in this, but strength, inspiration, tenderness,
hope. Reading of all the awards and accomplishments, I was
awed at what she had accomplished in such a short time of
living. Her passion for her son, her people, for concepts,
for connecting and weaving together on behalf of peace, unity
and love are full of inspiration. Her courage to do what she
felt she was called to do on behalf of her people serves as
a wonderful role model for our daughters and for all women—young,
middle or elder. Her contagious positive spirit came right
through to me. Coming to know of Ingrid simply strengthened
my conviction that we are all connected as women in this work
of Healing, Hope, Unity and Forgiveness.
It
is said that we all have a song to sing and I am grateful
to have heard Ingrid's.
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We
want to hear from you!
Are
you inspired by the life and work of Ingrid Washinawatok
El-Issa? Have you been to one of the Hoop Journey
Visits or does the Journey simply inspire you?
Please send your letters, comments, and photographs
you might have taken on the Journey, to info@whitebison.org.
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