Ingrid Washinawatok , a proud member of the American Indian Movement, was a wife, a mother, a friend and a warrior of the Menominee Nation. She was Executive Director of the Fund for Four Directions. She co-chaired the Indigenous Women's Network, was a member of the Indigenous Initiative for Peace, a 'delegate for the Commission on Human Rights, chaired the Native Americans in Philanthropy, and was an award winning lecturer. She was well known for her work and accomplishments as a humanitarian and as an advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, environmental justice, human rights and cultural preservation.
American Indian Movement
Grand Council
ON THE DEATH OF INGRID WASHINAWATOK
MENOMINEE NATION, SUNDANCER, PIPE CARRIER
AND THE THREE FIRE SOCIETY OF THE MIDEWIN LODGE
MARCH 5, 1999
Native America lost a great warrior today.
Ingrid Washinawatok, 41, of the Menominee Nation was gunned down this past week along with Terrance Freitas & Lah'e'ena'e Gay in the remote jungles of Columbia's eastern border. She was executed in an unbelievable assassination, targeted only because of her willingness to answer the call from oppressed people. In a hail of bullets, her life was snuffed out, leaving a husband, son, a mother, and a movement of friends.
The Grand Council of the American Indian Movement declares a state of mourning to exist for one year.
We send condolences to the Menominee Nation
for the loss of its nation's daughter.
We send condolences to her mother
for the loss of her family member.
We send condolences to her son Maeh-kiw-kasic
for the loss of his mother.
We send condolences to Ali for the loss of his wife.
We send condolences to all the friends of Ingrid
for the loss of their loved one.
And we send condolences to the Great Spirit because Ingrid could not finish her duties & responsibilities.
We ask the Great Spirit to accept our offerings for Ingrid. We ask to complete her duties and her life's work. We condemn those who were responsible for the taking of Ingrid's life, and we shall seek justice for those involved.
We lost a warrior today gone unexpectedly to the Spirit World
We lost a warrior today but we gained a great spirit.
As we prepare her for her last journey, the American Indian Movement, Sundance, and Three Fires Mide Society, of which she was a part, will now complete her spiritual journey and will conduct the final services for Ingrid and her family.
As Ingrid rides with the Great Spirit, we ask her guidance in our journey.
American Indian Movement Grand Council
