Passing of Ali El-Issa

Ali Saleh El-Issa (1952-2022), the founder of the Flying Eagle Woman Fund, passed to the spirit world early on the morning of September 27th, 2022. Ali is survived by his loving son, Maehkikaysic Adnan El-Issa, and is predeceased in life by his loving partner and wife, Ingrid Washinawatok. Learn more about Ali's Life.

Flying Eagle Woman Fund

The Flying Eagle Woman Fund for Peace, Justice and Sovereignty was created to commemorate and further the work of Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa (O’Peqtaw-Metamoh) (1957-1999). Washinawatok, a member of the Menominee Nation, was among the most promising Native leaders of her generation. Writer, spokeswoman, educator, philanthropist and activist, she devoted her life to the cause of indigenous peoples around the world. Just before her murder by Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia guerrillas in Colombia in 1999, Washinawatok was working with members of the U’wa indigenous community in that country on community building efforts.

As we transition into a world without Ingrid and Ali, the Flying Eagle Woman Fund will be going into a new evolution. An archive, memorial, and exhibit called O'peqtawmetaemoh Archive is in the process of being developed in Ingrid's homelands, the Menominee Nation. The focus will be to honor, preserve, and educate the world of the work of Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa and Ali El-Issa with the Flying Eagle Woman Fund. Stephanie Dodge (niece) will be overseeing the project as she incorporates it in her dissertation in pursuit of her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.).