Sheila WhiteEagle

Dec. 2, 1948 – June 7, 2008

Sheila passed away peacefully at home after a long and courageous battle against breast cancer. Sheila was the Director of the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches’ Department of Indian Work program for more than 20 years and worked for the program for 36 years. Under Sheila’s leadership, DIW has expanded from the Emergency Services food and clothing rooms to include parenting and youth enrichment programs and diabetes education.

Other career highlights include: Began the Elders Transportation program with the American Red Cross; Worked with the community to build an Elders Lodge, now located in Saint Paul; For ten years, worked with the Church World Services CROP Walk event to raise awareness and help with local and global hunger; Worked with community on 13 annual University of St. Thomas powwow events.

Also during her long career, in 1989, Sheila launched the American Indian Parenting Program and in 1992, She began the American Indian Youth Enrichment after-school and summer programs which last summer was recognized by First Lady Laura Bush. In 1993, Sheila was recognized with the McKnight Award and in 2001, Sheila led the Family Education Diabetes Program, which has grown to now include education for youth and a partnership with the University of Minnesota. Before she died, Sheila was in the planning process of getting a non-denominational spiritual center built for larger groups of American Indians to gather.

At rest with daughter, Leslie Kay White Eagle; brothers, Raphael Masquot and Timothy Masquot. Survived by companion, Timothy Bayer, beloved mother of Laura Kidd, Archie White Eagle, Jr., Sarah White Eagle and Rachel White Eagle; Mother, Leila Picotte; brothers, Prosper Waukon and Abel William DeCora; sisters, Kathleen Nanette Little Walker, Renee DeCora and Katherine Masquot-Roy; grand-daughters, Sandra Langevin and Andrea Kidd and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Memorial service were held on June 12 at St. John The Evangelist Episcopal Church, in St. Paul, with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery