Waterman Wittstock, Laura Entered the spirit world on the morning of January 16, 2021. She is fondly remembered by her family as a great mother and remembered by her grandchildren as "the world's greatest grandmother." To others, she was a friend, confidant, and mentor. Elaine Salinas, one of Laura's best friends, said of her passing, "A light has gone out." Laura was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, Heron clan, and was born at the Cattaraugus Indian reservation in New York on September 11, 1937 to Isaac (Jack) Waterman and Clarinda (Cleo) Waterman (neé Jackson), both long in the spirit world. Older brothers William, Kenneth, Arthur, and Arnold (Barney) served in various branches of the armed services during World War II. In 1945, Laura accompanied her brother William to Honolulu, where she attended school and learned much of Native Hawaiian culture. Nine years later, joined her mother Cleo, in San Francisco (her favorite city) and also reconnected with her father at Cattaraugus. At the time, Cleo was chair of the San Francisco Indian Center, and was a key figure during the 1969 Alcatraz takeover. Laura later married Florencio Olivera Simas (deceased) and began a family, which grew to include Joe Olivera Simas III (deceased), Arthur Waterman Simas, James Olivera Simas, and daughters Tedi Marie Grey Owl (neé Simas), and Rosy Marie Simas. Survivors also include second husband, Lloyd Wittstock; grandchildren Candace Big Eagle, Alice McBride, Jack McBride, Catherine Simas; great- granddaughter Vivian Big Eagle, and great-grandson Jayden Weber. Honorary children include Nirmal Bhattarai, Michael J. Dalby (deceased) and Kelly Morgan. Additional survivors are Karen Simas (Joe), Rhodora Simas (Arthur), Khalil (Sr.) Ross (Vivian), Deb White (Jim), and Sam Aros Mitchell (Rosy). On Sunday evening of January 17th, 2021, the day after Laura passed, her great-great-grandson Khalil, Jr, was born. Before arriving in the Twin Cities with husband Lloyd in 1973, Laura had successful careers in professional copywriting for major department stores and was an editor for the Native American political journal, The Legislative Review. In the Twin Cities, she managed a media review program focused on Native perspectives for the National Indian Education Association, headed the American Indian Press Association, and took on the Red School House in St. Paul as a personal project (often picking up children in the school van as well as raising funds). She also helped found and direct MIGIZI Communications, which is still educating children to this day. In addition, Laura directed the Heart of the Earth Survival School in Minneapolis. For over four decades, Laura served on various non-profit boards, including: Independent Television Service; Native American Public Telecommunications; American Indian Cancer Foundation; Civic Media Minnesota; Minneapolis Foundation; Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home; Tiwahe Foundation; Greater Minneapolis Metropolitan Housing Corporation; Rainbow Research; Minnesota Council of Non-Profits; Park Nicollet Institute; Abbott Northwestern Hospital; Minnesota Planetarium Society; Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco; and American Indian Business Development Corporation. Laura was driven to help others, by offering advice, (when asked) and serving as a friend, professional advisor and representative of Native views, (as well as her own), to the Minneapolis Library Board, to various foundation staff, to non-profit boards (where she was often nominated for executive positions because of her ability to handle divisions). In 1983, she was appointed by President Carter to the National Commission on Alcoholism and Alcohol Problems. Upon her retirement, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybeck declared March 12, 2005 as the official "Laura Waterman Wittstock Day". More recently, she volunteered her time with the Inter-Tribal Elder Services and The Wicoie Nandagikendan Early Childhood Learning center. In her spare time, she wrote various plays, articles and books including ININATIG'S Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugar Making and more recently We Are Still Here, a narrative photobook (with Dick Bancroft) from the American Indian Movement. She also spent countless hours as a consultant to many non-profit programs and federal applications within education and the arts. Laura had the honor of being the  fourth Louis W. Hill, Jr. Fellow at the Humphrey Institute, where she also participated in the North-South Fellows program. As an avid student of history, Laura was widely respected for her views, hosting First Person Radio on Fresh Air Radio for ten years until her health declined after suffering from an autoimmune health crisis. Many thanks go to the Allina Complex Care Team, as well as the caring staff at Fresenius Kidney Clinic, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Hennepin County Medical Center. Laura was a cool head in a crisis (her Hawaiian family inspired her calm demeanor). Conversely, she was a hot advocate for justice and fairness. She gave freely of her sharp mind and willing heart and loved sharing a good laugh, surrounded by her many close friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for a new scholarship fund in Laura's name for aspiring Native journalists and writers. Contact: Rosy Simas at dance@rosysimas.com Services at a later date.

Published on January 19, 2021