Ingrid Washinawatok (1957-1999) took on the federal government in order to reinstate recognition for Indigenous rights.
Ingrid Washinawatok (1957-1999) took on the federal government in order to reinstate recognition for Indigenous rights.
Women’s contributions to peacekeeping efforts are often overlooked, but no more. This month on Womanica we're highlighting women who have spearheaded peacekeeping initiatives all over the world — from India to South Africa to the United States. We cover women like Doria Shafik who led Egypt’s female liberation movement, as well as Coretta Scott King who was a fierce advocate for equality for Black Americans and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Tune in to hear the stories of women who were integral to creating peace in their communities.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Ale Tejeda, Sara Schleede, Abbey Delk, and Alex Jhamb Burns. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
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Hi, I’m Meltem Burak. I’m the host and producer of the podcast, Sesta. We aim to harness the power of arts and culture to foster conversation and build peace in Cyprus. I’ll be your guest host for this month of Womanica.
This month, we’re highlighting peacebuilders. In times of conflict, these women have stepped in, bringing their creativity and insight to help facilitate peace across the globe.
Today, we are talking about a woman who took on the federal government in order to reinstate recognition for Indigenous rights. Her story will show you how a peaceful relationship with earth can pave the way for peace among people.
Let’s talk about Ingrid Washinawatok.
Ingrid was born on July 31, 1957. She was the descendant of celebrated Menominee Leaders. The Menominee name her grandfather gave her translates to Flying Eagle Woman.
Ingrid grew up in Chicago, but she spent her summers visiting family on the Menominee Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin. That was where her heart was. Ingrid enjoyed biking down old logging roads, walking in the forest, and swimming in Menominee lakes and rivers.
Ingrid grew up during the time of Indian termination. During the 1950s and 60s, the federal government tried to end their obligations as trustees to Native tribes – obligations which were outlined in hundred-year-old treaties between sovereign tribes and the federal government. Termination essentially put an end to existing protections, cutting off the little government support that existed and simultaneously revoking tribal sovereignty. The result disintegrated infrastructures in tribal communities and collapsed their economies. Many people were plunged into poverty. The government targeted tribes that were economically successful, like the Menominee, who subsisted through logging with sustainable forestry practices.
In high school, Ingrid became involved in efforts to push Congress to repeal these policies and reinstate recognition of tribes. It was her first great success as an activist: in 1973, the Menominee nation was once again federally recognized as a tribe.
Ingrid continued her activism at the University of Minnesota, where she joined the American Indian Movement. While studying in Cuba, she met her future husband, young Palestinian man named Ali El-Issa. They married in Syria, and raised their son in New York City, where Ingrid worked for the International Indian Treaty Council.
In a new city, with her young family, Ingrid found strength in community and memory. She wrote about the night of October 12, 1992: the native community in New York was celebrating an hour of silence for Mother Earth. In their house, Ingrid and Ali unplugged their electrical appliances, turned off the lights, and spent the night telling stories around the dinner table. She wrote:
With our stories we carried our son in another epoch. My husband and I told stories about our childhood, I decided to narrate the funny ones. I think this will keep alive his bond with the older aunts and uncles whom he met but doesn't necessarily have a continuous relationship with… This makes them more alive and present… Now my son has a link, a thread that connects him to our pasts, which are a part of him. .”
As a peacebuilder, Ingrid looked to the past for lessons on how to build the future. She knew peace required constant work. That philosophy guided her while co-founding the Indigenous Women’s Network, which educated younger generations on the historical struggles of women. She also worked as the Executive Director of the Fund for Four Directions to revitalize indigenous languages.
In an essay on peace, she denounced the theft of indigenous land in the name of “better use”. Ingrid believed the wealth of the world comes from the earth. As we destroy the ability of the earth to sustain us, we lose the ability to address the chronic needs of the poor, the hungry, and the landless.
Until we make peace with earth, she wrote, there will be no peace in the human community.
In 1999, Ingrid was invited to Colombia with three other activists to help the indigenous U’wa community establish an education program for children. On February 25, they were kidnapped. In early March, their bodies were found on the Venezuelan border. The Colombian FARC rebel group later took responsibility for the killings.
Ingrid was 41 years old. Ten years after her death, the U’wa people sent a letter of remembrance to the families of activists. It read:
“For us, they are not dead —their life work and their memory live on. We thank them for their dedication and time offered for our culture, for our spiritual leaders, and for the balance of Planet Earth and Mother Nature. U’wa children and elders remember them at every sunset. Their shadows still walk with us, accompanying us along the path of resistance.”
All month, we’re talking about peacebuilders. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to co-creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan for having me on as a guest host.
Talk to you tomorrow!