Laura Waterman Wittstock (1937-2021)

While others trusted her as a confidant, innovator, mentor, and friend, to her family, Laura Waterman-married to Lloyd Wittstock for a time-was called "a great mother" by her five children (from a second marriage to Florencio Olivera Simas, deceased). Her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren remember her as "the world's greatest." But as for tributes, there are many more than shared here.

Born to Isaac "Jack" Waterman and Clarinda (Cleo Jackson) Waterman on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation in New York, Laura was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and a member of the Heron clan. Each of her four older brothers-William, Kenneth, Arthur and Arnold-served in various branches in the U.S. military in World War II. In 1945, Laura accompanied William to Honolulu, attended school there and absorbed much of the culture of native Hawaii.

Laura returned to the U.S. in 1954 and joined her mother, Cleo, who was chairperson of the San Francisco Indian Center. Cleo later became a central figure during the Alcatraz Prison takeover (1969). Perhaps it was her mother's fearless nature that inspired Laura to co-found and become first president of MIGIGI (Bald Eagle, Ojibwe language) Communications to counter media inaccuracies and misrepresentations of Native people.

She was president and CEO of Wittstock & Associates, a media and education consulting firm providing creative consultation, assessment, evaluation and governance for new projects.

Wittstock was editor for The Legislative Review, a Native American political journal. She was professional copywriter for major department stores. Laura Wittstock also headed the American Indian Press Association (Minneapolis-St. Paul areas). As a personal project, in St. Paul, she supported the Red School House Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Wittstock even transported children to and from the school and was also a fundraiser.

While in the Twin Cities for the National Indian Education Association, Laura managed a media review program that highlighted Native perspectives. Service to other non-profit organizations included the Independent Television Service; the Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home; Native American Public Telecommunications; American Indian Cancer Foundation (Minneapolis); and the American Indian Business Development Corporation.

Wittstock was an elected member and former president of the Minneapolis Library Board where she worked on developing and realizing the new Central Library. In recognition of her care for the welfare of others, she received the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs fourth Louis W. Hill, Jr., Fellow in Philanthropy Award.

Laura Wittstock also served on the board for Baby's Space, a childcare center whose mission is to help babies thrive in their development. She was a board member of the Metro Area Agency on Aging which provides supports, services, and information for older adults and their families. She served the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC) as a board member as well.

In 1983, President Jimmy Carter appointed Wittstock to the National Commission on Alcoholism and Alcohol Problems (a scourge in many native communities). In 2006, she received the Distinguished Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Award.

Wittstock also wrote plays and was author of the children's book, ININATIG'S Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugar Making. Her most recent work was the narrative photo book, We Are Still Here, with Dick Bancroft of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Her other published works include Community Foundations and Diversity; Changing Communities; and Diverse Populations/Diverse Needs. Upon her retirement, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybeck declared March 12, 2005, as "Laura Waterman Wittstock Day."

Sadly, Laura Wittstock's health declined due to a number of issues, and on the morning of January 16, 2021, she passed away. Elaine Salinas, a close friend, sums Wittstock's passing as: "A light has gone out."

Sources:

About Laura, JacketFlap webpage, 11.26.2007

Laura Waterman Wittstock, EverybodyWiki

MIGIGI.org web page

Laura Waterman Wittstock, Obituary, Star Tribune, January 19, 2021

SNI Official Newsletter, Community News, Obituary, Laura Waterman Wittstock. January 28, 2022

American Indians and Alcohol webpage

KB Schaller is the International Book Award-winning author of 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World, Women's Issues Category, Gray Rainbow Journey, winner, National Best Books Award, and Whatsoever the Sacrifice, her latest work. Schaller's books are available through amazon.com and other booksellers.