The Ingrid W Flying Eagle Woman Fund

for Peace, Justice and Sovereignty

An article from the Last Words column in

The Cornell University's Akwe:kon Press...

Native Americas Akwe:kon's

Journal of Indigenous Issues; Summer, 1999

                                                            by Ali El Issa

In honor of Ingrid's memory and to continue the integrity and spirit of Ingrid's work for indigenous peoples, we have established The Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa Flying Eagle Woman Fund for Peace, Justice and Sovereignty.

The Flying Eagle Woman Fund will commemorate, document and memorialize the life and works of Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa through the publication of books, videos and other educational activities. In addition, the Fund will develop an infrastructure that promotes the betterment of indigenous peoples throughout the world through grant-making and scholarship efforts. The Fund will use the following beliefs, actions and principles from the Draft Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that Ingrid advocated for in her international work to help guide its important work:

"Mother Earth, Father Sky, and all of Creation, including human, plant and animal relatives are part of the natural order and regulated by natural laws. Each has a unique role and is a critical part of the whole that is Creation. Each is sacred, respected, and a unique living being with its own right to survive and each plays an essential role in the survival and health of the natural world.

 

As sovereign peoples and nations, we have an inherent right to self determination protected through inherent rights and upheld through treaties and other binding agreements. As indigenous peoples, our consent and approval are necessary in all negotiations and activities that have direct and indirect impact on our lands, ecosystems, waters, other natural resources and our human bodies.

Human beings are a part of the natural order. Our role and responsibility as human beings, is to live peacefully and in a harmonious balance with all life. Our cultures are based on this harmony, peace and ecological balance.

 

The Creator has given us a sacred responsibility to protect and care for the land and all of life, as well as to safeguard its well being for future generations to come.

Indigenous peoples have the right to control access to our traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, which constitute the basis for the maintenance of our lifestyles and future."

                          -The Draft Declaration of the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ingrid dedicated her life to her people, and we must ensure that her work continues. The Flying Eagle Woman Fund will expand on her work at the Fund for the Four Directions where she was formerly the director of grant making. Together, the two funds bring needed support to Indian education, community development, sovereignty and other issues. Among the initial activities of the Fund will be the establishment of a research center ... that will house the archives of some of the organizations of which Ingrid was a part, and document the struggle for Indian sovereignty in this century. Other activities include scholarship for young Indian women and education tools for Indian children.

I would like to thank everyone for making it possible for us to move forward in our lives, to build for the future, and to continue Ingrid's work-- the work on behalf of the indigenous peoples of the world. The Flying Eagle Woman Fund will continue the tradition of giving. As Ingrid once wrote...

"If for whatever reason, one had many things, more than their particular family needed, it was given away: From offerings to the black ash trees and sweetgrass so baskets can be made for family income, to scholarships to honor the memory of a loved one, to the distribution of meat and fish by the young men's first kill or catch, to  community powwows to send an athlete to national or international competition, the realization of the circle of life takes on an even stronger constitution in this day and age."

   Ingrid Washinawatok El Issa

The Flying Eagle Woman Fund

for Peace, Justice and Sovereignty

11 Broadway - 2nd Floor

New York, NY 10004

Tele:       (212) 982-5358

Fax:       (212) 982-5346