HONOUR

biographies - stories - letters - resources INTRODUCTION

ohn Graham, a Tuchone from the Yukon, was arrested in Vancouver, Canada in 2003. J He is charged with the 1970’s murder of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash of the Mi’kmaq nation, his friend and fellow warrior in the (AIM). Thirty-two years ago, Anna Mae was found dead on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Lakota Territory. In 1976, the (BIA) police made a special request to bury Anna Mae without a death certificate before her identity was confirmed. A government coroner CONTENTS stated that she died of “exposure,” despite the bloody bullet wound in her head. Her tragic death is possibly the single most famous unsolved murder in the history of AIM. 2 introduction In December 2003, the United States government filed for 4 John Graham’s Life in Resistance John Graham’s extradition from Canada based on what seems more like a fabricated case than an investigation. After four 8 The Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash Story years of challenging this extradition, John lost his appeal in 12 anna Mae’s History of Resistance December, 2007. He is now imprisoned in Rapid City, South Dakota, awaiting trial. 13 letters from The extradition of John Graham by Canada to the USA 16 other Letters of Support continues a time-honoured partnership in the ongoing, sys- tematic war of colonization. John Graham’s extradition echos Native Youth Movement, Vancouver the extraditions of Sitting Bull, a Lakota chief who with his Wolverine, Secwepmec Elder and Land Defender people sought refuge in Canada, and of Leonard Peltier, who fought for Lakota land in the 1970’s. Like Graham, Peltier was Secwepmec Native Youth Movement an AIM member and land defender. Chief Te Kapilano, Squamish Nation Leonard Peltier was extradited from Vancouver, Canada Lee Maracle, Stohlo in 1976, to face trial for the deaths of two FBI agents who were shot while engaging in an armed assault on an AIM Monica Charles, Veteran of Wounded Knee ‘73 camp on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It has been revealed that Vancouver Anarchists the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fabricated the case against Peltier, forging documents, coercing testimony, and 22 excerpt from article by Chusia Graham falsifing evidence, yet he was convicted of these murders and 22 some Actions of Solidarity is still serving two life sentences as a Native Prisoner of War. 23 Victoria Mural Leonard Peltier’s extradition was based on false affida- vits signed by Myrtle Poor-Bear, who claimed to be Peltier’s girlfriend. Myrtle Poor-Bear admitted later that she had never met Peltier. Poor-Bear states, in an affidavit from May 11, 1977, that her previous affidavits against Peltier were false and based on FBI coercion.1 She states that FBI Agent David Price “... showed me pictures of the body (of Anna Mae Pic- 2nd edition - March 2009 - Vancouver, BC tou Aquash) and said that if I don’t cooperate this is what may happen to me.” In 1975, FBI Agent David Price also Reproduce freely. A printable PDF of this publication is available at [ourfreedom.wordpress.com]. threatened Anna Mae Aquash that she would not live out the year if she did not give them information about Peltier and the deaths of the two FBI agents, in- The refusal to participate with a gov- Significantly, John Graham did formation Anna Mae says she never ernment frame-up is the refusal to be not “resign” from resistance after had.2 She stated, “They [the FBI] bought, the refusal to view the strug- his participation in AIM. Instead, he offered me my freedom and money gles for land and life as something continued to fight for the land and if I’d testify the way they wanted. I one can pick up, then put down later. the perseverance of indigenous ways have those two choices now. I chose It has now been 30 years since of life. The attack against John re- my kind of freedom, not their kind, Anna Mae’s death. If the government sounds as a threat to all of those who 3 even if I have to die.” was really trying to find her mur- live in conflict with this system and One of the cops who took part derer, why would they wait this long? refuse to comply with repression. in the assault on the AIM camp at Key individuals who could contra- To act against this repression is to Pine Ridge in 1975 was Robert Ecof- dict the government’s story, such as breathe strength into the struggle for fey. Ecoffey testified against Leon- the coroner who performed Aquash’s land and freedom. ard Peltier at his trial in 1977. In the first autopsy (W.O. Brown), have now - Editors 1990’s, he became one of the lead passed away. Evidence fades over the so-called “investigators” of Aquash’s years, and the political context sur- murder, seeking to frame-up former rounding the murder is no longer REFERENCES & AIM members and further cover-up widely understood. Perhaps the gov- ENDNOTES the role of police and FBI agents in ernment had to wait until now to 1. http://whoisleonardpeltier.info/ her death. Ecoffey is also a self-pro- bring charges in Anna Mae’s murder extradition.htm claimed graduate of the FBI academy. because, in the 70’s, too many people 2. Johanna Brand, The Life and believed that the FBI had a hand in Death of Anna Mae Aquash, According to John Graham and (Toronto, Ontario, James Lo- his family, in the 1990’s the FBI vis- her death. rimer and Company, 1978) 133- 134. Rex Weyler, “Who killed ited him in the Yukon four times, Already one man, Arlo Looking Anna Mae?” [Vancouver Sun,] attempting to convince Graham to Cloud, has been convicted of aiding January 8, 2005. make statements implicating AIM and abetting in the murder of Anna 3. Mary Crow Dog and Richard Er- dos, Lakota Woman, (New York, leadership for the murder of Anna Mae. Since making his alleged con- NY, Harper Colins, 1991) 196. Mae Pictou-Aqaush. He says that on fession to his role in her death he has 4. As of August, 2008 Vine Richard their final visit, they told him that if recanted, stating that Robert Ecoffey Marshall, better known as Dick Marshall, has been charged he didn’t co-operate he would face and an investigating police officer co- with aiding and abetting in the the charges himself. He refused. erced his testimony. In 2004, after a murder of Anna Mae Aquash. four day trial, He is now imprisoned at Pen- In an affidavit Peltier submitted nington County Jail, Rapid City, to Grahams’ extradition defense, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. South Dakota. says he was visited in prison by Robert The Anna Mae murder case now Branscombe who said he was work- functions to cover-up the bloody ing with the police to investigate the history of the US Government’s John’s trial date death of Anna Mae Aquash and had counter-insurgency campaign at Pine has been set and cancelled twice - a proposition for him. Branscombe Ridge in the 1970’s, known as the in October 2008 and February 2009. said that he could get Peltier out of “reign of terror.” Between 1973 and For the current trial date and prison if he co-operated by implicat- 1976, more than 67 traditional La- other case updates, check online: ing former AIM leaders in the murder kotas and members or supporters of ourfreedom.wordpress.com of Anna Mae Aquash. Peltier refused, AIM were murdered. The vast major- www.grahamdefense.org stating “that (he) would never lie and ity of these murders have never been become another Myrtle Poor-Bear...” investigated. In prosecuting John A supporter recently in commu- Graham, Arlo Looking Cloud and nication with John Graham stated Richard Marshall, the government that John said he “...wants it made is able to rewrite history with them- loud and clear that he was indicted selves as agents of justice, and natives because he refused to cut a deal and who resist as culprits of terror. This lie. He wants people to know that repression is also effective in creat- Dick Marshall4 was indicted for the ing a climate of fear that threatens same reason, he wouldn’t cut a deal.” to fragment and weaken present day resistance movements. - 3 - At the end of the Carbide Mill action, Graham went down with a John Graham’s group to support the Mohawk land re-occupation at Ganienkeh, also LIFE IN RESISTANCE known as Eagle Lake, in New York State. This was the first time Graham was involved in an armed occupation. ince his youth, John Graham In 1974, when Graham was sev- While he was at Ganienkeh partici- has involved himself in strug- enteen, he took part in the Native pating as general security, the pres- S gle for indigenous ways of life Peoples’ Caravan from Vancouver to ence of government agents was inten- and relationship to the land. From Ottawa. During this time, three-hun- sifying as part of an effort to pressure challenging police persecution of dred people from the Caravan moved the Mohawks to turn some of their natives in the streets of Vancouver, into the abandoned Carbide Mill people over for state prosecution. to supporting the Lakota resistance building on Victoria Island, behind for traditional territories, to fighting the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. During the occupation, John Graham “I’m a warrior. I was a against uranium mining in Northern read out this public statement: Saskatchewan, Graham’s efforts re- warrior when I first went veal links between land exploitation “We, in the spirit of Louis Riel, and the calculated strategy for indig- whose statue was unveiled by your to South Dakota and I’ll be Prime Minister on Oct. 2, 1968, hold enous assimilation. The destruction a warrior this time when I of traditional land is an attempt to onto this embassy as a symbol of annihilate indigenous ways of life, resistance... The Native People here have to go to South Dakota” which are in total conflict with the on Victoria Island in Ottawa, as in Cornwall, Alcatraz, James Bay, Cold business of resource extraction and -John Graham Lake, Wounded Knee, Kenora, Cache “development.” Creek, and Parliament Hill, ask all In the early 1970’s, before par- of you to help us win the battle for Shortly thereafter, Graham trav- ticipating in the American Indian our culture and our independence. elled to Minnesota, inspired to learn Movement, John Graham moved to We ask this because we believe in the about the American Indian Movement Vancouver, British Columbia from right of self-determination of all peo- Survival Schools. These schools were the Yukon. In Vancouver, he involved ple ... Stand with us, Canadians, and intended to teach young Indian people himself with the Beothuck Patrol, a maybe one day we can stand togeth- about their own history and culture, native group doing street level moni- er in peace! When that day comes, to teach songs and language, identity toring of police harassment. we will turn the flag of your nation and strength. At the Red Schoolhouse right side up, as it should survival school in St. Paul, Minneso- be when people are free.” ta, John first met Anna Mae Aquash.

The occupation of the Anna Mae taught, fundraised, Carbide Mill lasted for five and wrote curriculum for classes. She months. After the power worked to expand the purpose of the was cut-off from the build- survival schools, believing that they ing during winter months, should train youth to be leaders, so people installed wood the movement would not be depen- stoves to keep warm and dent on only a few people. According ripped out walls to burn for to Johanna Brand, Anna Mae “...be- heat. The Mohawk Nation, lieved that new leaders should be con- whose traditional land tinually emerging, regenerating AIM’s includes Ottawa and tra- momentum, strengthening the move- verses the US Border, gave ment and broadening it’s appeal.” support to the occupation. John Graham, 2001 - 4 - 1981, The Caravan for Survival went from “The FBI today is Regina to La Ronge, Saskatchewan against the proposed Key Lake uranium mine. yesterday’s cavalry, is yesterday’s Custer. Agent David Price to- day is yesterday’s Custer, he is no different” - John Graham

Throughout the 1970’s John Graham organized resistance to uranium mining and explora- tion. In 1980, Graham took part During the mid 1970’s Graham ficial “National Sacrifice Area.” Now, in the Caravan for Survival from supported AIM’s activities on the much of the land in Lakota territory Regina to La Ronge, Saskatchewan in Pine Ridge Reservation in South Da- is contaminated with radioactive ura- opposition to the proposed Key Lake kota. He acted as security at times, nium waste. Uranium Mine. In 1981, Graham was but mainly as a driver who would Radioactive contamination from part of naming and creating the Anna transport people safely. Sometimes he uranium mill tailings (waste) accu- Mae Survival Camp, near Pinehouse drove for Anna Mae. Both John Gra- mulates in plants, animals, water and in Northern Saskatchewan, where he ham and Anna Mae Aquash partici- soil. In contaminated areas, people stayed with his partner and young pated in the resistance of traditional are told to not eat regularly from Lakotas to the exploitation of their children. For months, the camp the land, because accumulation of land and to the corrupt tribal council was set up alongside the road to the radiation in the body leads to cancer on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Dur- planned Key Lake Uranium Mine, in and birth defects. Radioactive con- ing this period, the Guardians of the order to knit together resistance to tamination also extends far beyond Nation (GOONs), a U.S. gov- it. Despite everything, the Key Lake the immediate areas of mining and ernment backed paramilitary group, Mine opened, becoming the world’s milling, traveling in air and water. was in operation at Pine Ridge under Some of the radioactive by-products largest uranium mine, only to be sur- the direction of tribal president Dick of uranium milling remain toxic for passed in scale recently. At Key Lake Wilson. Within three years more than tens of thousands of years. there were more than half a dozen ra- 67 traditional Lakotas and AIM mem- bers or supporters were murdered on Pine Ridge. “As a people, our philosophy is respect for all living things. In the midst of this bloody pe- riod, the Lakota’s sacred Black Hills We cannot agree that our resources are being ripped off from were sold off by Dick Wilson’s band council to the US government for us at home. We’re stuck with the waste, we’re contaminated resource exploitation, with uranium being a main interest. In the 1970’s, with the waste, and here our resources are going to kill other uranium was a very highly priced people in other countries. We cannot agree with that. Our own commodity, used for nuclear weapons and later nuclear energy. With profit people and our way of life just does not agree with that.” in mind, the US government secretly turned sacred Lakota land into an of- - John Graham

- 5 - dioactive spills within six months of the mine starting operations in 1985.

In the 1980’s John said:

“As a people, our philosophy is respect for all living things. We can- not agree that our resources are being ripped off from us at home. We’re stuck with the waste, we’re contami- nated with the waste, and here our re- sources are going to kill other people in other countries. We cannot agree with that. Our own people and our way of life just does not agree with that. ...That is in total conflict with our way of life because the Indian way of life is respect and to coexist The Red Peoples’ Long Walk In May and June 1984 John with everything that is natural” arrives in Ottawa, October 12, 1984. Graham carried out a European John Graham in front, second from left. In 1983 and 1984, John Graham speaking tour focused on native rights took part in The Red People’s Long and the problems of uranium mining. Anna Mae Aquash. He told them he Walk from Victoria, BC to Ottawa The tour laid the groundwork for did not know who killed Anna Mae. and Akwesasne Ontario. The inten- several native rights events in Europe In the FBI’s last visit to John they tion of the walk was spiritual and in the years that followed. During the told him that if he did not cooperate educational. It connected and built 57 day tour, John spoke at about 80 in the prosecution of former AIM solidarity between different native meetings. leaders, he would face the murder communities in struggle for survival charge himself. Graham, father of eight, was and against assimilation. In an open living in the Yukon and raising a After being arrested in 2003, letter from the two year long walk family when, according to John, the John was imprisoned for 40 days un- it is written: “We walk for survival FBI began to visit him. He said they til he was released under house ar- of the land together with our peo- wanted him to testify against AIM rest in Vancouver to face extradition ple’s independent way of life, val- leadership in relation the murder of hearings. During four years of court ues, principles, and purpose for life.” hearings people came to show support for John. At his final ex- tradition appeal hear- ing on June 26th, 2007, dozens of extra chairs were carried in for his supporters and still not everyone could fit inside the court room. On this day John was taken to jail near Van- couver. On December 6, 2007 the Supreme Court of Canada for- mally rejected the ex- tradition appeal. Even before the decision The 1981 Caravan for Survival - 6 - was made public, and without being allowed to call his family, John Graham was transferred to a prison in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he is now awaiting trial.

Though the duration of his persecution, John’s family and friends, native sovereigntists, the Native Youth Move- ment, journalists, authours, anarchists and activists have continued to support John.

In Vancouver, on June 26, 2008, the one year anniver- sary of John’s imprisonment, supporters picketed and gave away leaflets outside the recently vacated operations of- fice of the Cash Minerals uranium mining company. Cash Minerals is interested in uranium exploration right next to Graham’s home community in the Yukon. January 16, 2004, John embraces his daughter as he is released Soldiarity with John Graham means carrying on with on bail after 40 days incarceration. the struggle that John is part of, for the land and our lives.

RESOURCES Websites: Our Freedom (A news site for John Graham and Leonard Peltier) http://ourfreedom.wordpress.com Graham Defense http://www.grahamdefense.org Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info The Tyee: Delivering a Framed John Graham http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/05/16/John Graham The Case of John Graham http://warriorpublications.com/?q=node/25 Transcript of Arlo Looking Cloud Trial http://www.grahamdefense.org/200402cloud-transcript/ Books: The Life and Death of Anna Mae Aquash, by Johanna Brand Lakota Woman, by Mary Crow Dog and Richard Erdos Prison Writings: My Life is My Sun Dance, by Leonard Peltier The Trial of Leonard Peltier by Jim Messerschmidt

John’s current mailing address: John Graham Pennington County Jail 307 St. Joseph Street Rapid City, SD 57701 - USA Graffiti left December 6th, 2007 on the wall of the probation office in Vancouver, BC that John was required to report to.

- 7 - US Renews War on the American Indian Movement: The Anna by Billie Pierre, Nlaka’pamux/Saulteaux Nation Mae n the past few years, the memory of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash— Pictou- I an American Indian Movement (AIM) leader from the Mi’kmaq Aquash Nation in Nova Scotia, Canada—has been reduced to that of a helpless woman who was murdered by her Story own allies. In reality, her murder is part of a ruthless campaign waged That same year, AIM launched launched an attack on an AIM camp by the US government—a campaign a campaign on the Pine Ridge at Pine Ridge. The US was dealt a that, far from being ancient history, Reservation in South Dakota. Dick humiliating blow—two FBI agents is still unfolding today. Wilson, the corrupt tribal president, lost their lives. Although Joe Stuntz Thirty years after the death of had created a paramilitary force with Killsright, a Native warrior, was Pictou-Aquash, the US government stolen federal program funding. killed in the shoot-out, an estimated has renewed its war against the last With his control of the reservation 40 Native men, women and children remnants of AIM. As in the 1970s, secured by force, Wilson set about escaped. this attack is only part of a larger war ceding uranium-rich areas of the In extreme rage, the FBI violently to gain control over Native lands and sacred Black Hills to the federal harassed Lakota families. They resources. government. AIM assisted in drafted a list of people that they protecting Pine Ridge’s traditional The US made its first violent suspected were present at the shoot- families from the constant onslaught attack against AIM in 1972, spurring out, and they blamed Leonard of violence, which culminated in the what became known as the Bureau of Peltier, Bob Robideau, Dino Butler AIM occupation and government Indian Affairs (BIA) Takeover. Natives and Jimmy Eagle for killing the siege of Wounded Knee in the Spring had been conducting a peaceful agents. The four young men went of 1973. From 1973 to 1976, the protest outside the BIA headquarters on the run. Butler and Robideau people of Pine Ridge lived under the in Washington, DC, when they were were eventually arrested, tried and “Reign of Terror”—more than 300 attacked by riot police. In response, acquitted by an all-white jury, so the Natives, mainly traditional Lakota the Natives barricaded themselves FBI targeted Peltier for the “murder” and AIM members, were murdered, inside the BIA building, smashed of the agents. Of course, there has primarily by Wilson’s Guardians of up offices and took top-secret never been an investigation into the Oglala Nation (GOONs). documents. These documents proved Stuntz Killsright’s death. that the government was illegally On June 26, 1975—while Wilson handing out reservation land, water was in Washington, DC, signing away Image (top): Anna Mae using a golf club to and mineral rights to corporations. an eighth of the reservation—the FBI dig a bunker inside Wounded Knee, 1973

- 8 - At this time, Pictou-Aquash “fingerprint analysis,” and despite “I am not a citizen of the was “snitch-jacketed” by the the visible bullet hole in the back of FBI. This tactic of the FBI’s her head, they determined that the United States or a ward of Counter-intelligence Program cause of her death was exposure. (COINTELPRO) undermined They quickly arranged for her to the Federal Government, valuable members of a group be buried as a Jane Doe. After this by casting them in suspicious cover-up came to light, the FBI neither am I a ward of the situations. Wherever Pictou-Aquash released a statement announcing Canadian government. went, arrests would follow. She’d be that Pictou-Aquash was not a released, while other AIM members government informant. As intended, I have a right to continue were slapped with charges and high this statement insinuated that AIM bail. In September 1975, FBI Agent might have believed Pictou-Aquash to my cycle in this Universe David Price attempted to force her to be an informant and murdered her. undisturbed.” sign an affidavit implicating Peltier After nearly three decades of for the murder of the two FBI agents. dormancy, law enforcement attempts - Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash She refused to cooperate, and Price to “solve” the murder of Pictou- promised her that she wouldn’t live Aquash recently resumed, with a Looking Cloud is an Oglala to see the year’s end. surprising number of former AIM Lakota and a father of two. He also Pictou-Aquash went underground, members accepting and promoting has serious substance abuse problems turning to AIM for protection the FBI’s version of events. On that were exploited by Ecoffey and and putting her fears of the FBI in March 30, 2003, two Native men Alonzo during their investigation. In writing. In late February, her body were accused of her murder—John March 2003, in an alleged confession was found outside of Wanblee, Graham and Arlo Looking Cloud. video-taped by Ecoffey, Looking on Pine Ridge. Four FBI agents There is no credible evidence linking Cloud admitted to being under the joined the “investigation,” including either man to the crime, and their influence of alcohol. Alonzo then fed Price. They cut off her hands for prosecution seems like nothing more him leading questions, and Looking than an effort to destroy what Cloud slurred contradictory answers. little remains of AIM. He allegedly confessed that he had US Marshal Robert Ecoffey been the unwitting accomplice in has played a prominent role in Pictou-Aquash’s execution by AIM. resurrecting the investigation. He stated that he witnessed Graham Ecoffey got his start in law take her to the edge of a ravine and enforcement as a GOON in shoot her in the back of the head. the 1970s, and he participated Looking Cloud was denied the in the Oglala shoot-out. In the right to choose his own lawyer. 1990s, after becoming the first During his trial, every witness for Native US Marshal in history, the prosecution presented AIM in Ecoffey resurrected the Pictou- the most negative light possible, and Aquash murder investigation they contradicted each other in their and followed FBI claims that testimonies. Many people could have AIM was responsible. Ecoffey been called as defense witnesses, to and Denver, Colorado, testify that Pictou-Aquash had been Detective Abe Alonzo spent afraid of the FBI, not AIM. But the years visiting and questioning defense called only one witness—FBI Looking Cloud about the Agent Price! He was questioned for The body Anna Mae Aquash wrapped in an murder. American Indian Movement flag. 10 minutes on Pictou-Aquash and

- 9 - whether she was an FBI informant. But in February 2004, he claimed: people in the community, including Looking Cloud’s lawyer made few “I for one applaud the verdict of those who have supported Graham’s motions and did not challenge guilty in the Arlo Looking Cloud struggle against extradition. case.” A month later, Robideau Ecoffey and Alonzo’s manipulation This behavior is unacceptable; resigned from the Leonard Peltier of his client. Looking Cloud was not a basic principle of any resistance Defense Committee (LPDC) “after allowed to take the stand to defend movement is non-collaboration with several discussions with this group himself; all that was shown was the the enemy. As Peltier has written regarding the ongoing support and videotaped interview that he had regarding the arrest of Graham: comfort that the LPDC… continues given. In February 2004, after a “When we talk of sovereignty, we to give to John Graham and the John four-day trial, Looking Cloud was must be willing to solve our own Graham Defense Committee…. I convicted of aiding and abetting in problems and not go running to the personally will be overjoyed when the murder of Pictou-Aquash, and oppressor for relief…. We have been the Canadian courts rule to return he was sentenced to life in prison. and still are at odds with the most John Graham… to the US to answer Looking Cloud’s subsequent appeal dangerous, well-funded, strongest for this brutal murder. I will pray was denied. In October, Looking military and political organization in that his extradition contributes to an Cloud fired his most recent lawyer. the history of the world.” Unfortunately, without much more escalation of this case.” widespread support in the US and , a onetime AIM Another turncoat is , Canada, he is unlikely to challenge spokesperson turned actor and the charismatic national director of the dirty tactics used to convict him. musician, is also helping the FBI pin AIM during the 1970s. Since then, Pictou-Aquash’s murder on former he has moved on to Hollywood, Sadly, many former members AIM members. Trudell’s testimony starring in The Last of the Mohicans of AIM are now cooperating with at Looking Cloud’s trial can be and Disney’s Pocahontas. Means also the FBI’s renewed war on the summed up as: “Though I have no has assisted the Republican Party in movement. recollection of ever meeting Looking campaigning on Pine Ridge. Robideau now lives in Spain, Cloud, he tracked me down and where he operates a “Native museum” In 1998, Means publicly accused confessed his role in Anna Mae’s and does workshops on “Native art” Graham and Looking Cloud of murder—but until this time, I chose to for Europeans. Robideau has also murdering Pictou-Aquash and stay silent.” Graham’s extradition was profited from Robert Redford’s demanded that the courts hand down made possible by Trudell’s positive Incident at Oglala, a documentary indictments. Following Looking identification of him to the FBI. Cloud’s conviction, however, about the 1975 shoot-out. In this Former AIM member Kamook Means called it a travesty of justice. movie, Robideau perpetuates rumors Nichols also gave testimony at Obviously, he is on whatever side of a “Mr. X”—the man who really Looking Cloud’s trial. She stated that brings him the most attention. murdered the FBI agents. Rather , her former husband than exonerating Peltier, this creates Kelly White, a former AIM and cofounder of AIM, and Peltier an opportunity for the FBI to possibly member, runs a Native issues radio believed that Pictou-Aquash was prosecute more AIM members show in Vancouver. A few years working for the FBI. Nichols stated for the shootings. Robideau also before Graham was arrested, she that they had planned to bomb perpetuates the rumor that Peltier began to target him for defamation. strategic locations on Pine Ridge and once interrogated Pictou-Aquash At a Peltier support event in wanted Pictou-Aquash’s fingerprints with a gun, suspecting that she was Vancouver, she got up on stage on the explosives. working for the FBI. and accused Graham of murdering Not only did the FBI give Nichols Pictou-Aquash, although she didn’t In the wake of Pictou-Aquash’s immunity, it also gave her $42,000 have any evidence to back this up. death, Robideau stated that the FBI for her cooperation. She also Her personality is vindictive, and killed her “because they knew she admitted to wearing a wire for the was one of us and wouldn’t talk.” over the years she’s targeted various

- 10 - FBI over the years. It is suspected Graham says that the FBI started that Nichols may have implicated to visit him in the Yukon during the “They want to destroy our spirit. her ex-husband for personal reasons; mid-1990s. On four separate visits, They want us to not understand it has been documented that Pictou- they offered him immunity and our natural relationship to the Aquash and Banks were having an a new identity if he testified that earth and our relationship to our affair—something Nichols has known any of the former AIM leaders had spirit. They want us to continue of since August 1975. Nichols’ ordered Pictou-Aquash’s execution. to give respect and validity to testimony is suspect for another He refused. On their last visit, they their forms of power… reason: In September 2004, she stated that this would be his final married Robert Ecoffey, following a chance to cooperate; if he would not five-year-long relationship. testify, they would charge him with her murder. On December 1, 2003, John Graham, a Southern Tuchone from During Graham’s extradition the Yukon and a father of eight, was hearing, Peltier submitted an arrested in Vancouver, Canada, for affidavit stating that he had been the murder of Pictou-Aquash. To offered his freedom within ten days raise his $50,000 bail, his family had if he signed an affidavit to implicate to sell their trapline, their traditional John Graham in Anna Mae’s murder; way of living off the land. In early Peltier refused. There is no physical 2005, the government of British evidence against Graham, only more Columbia approved his extradition unreliable, FBI-tainted testimony. to the US. Furthermore, US and Canadian court systems have no jurisdiction Graham is a warrior. As a young or authority over indigenous people. man, he went to South Dakota to join We have the right to practice our own the AIM campaign on Pine Ridge. justice system—something recognized Over the years, he has continued in Canadian law. to make great contributions to indigenous resistance to uranium Graham’s current legal struggle mining. I’ve met many people who’ve reflects the political repression worked with him and have heard only faced by Native activists who have good things about him. Unlike many defended their land and their former AIM members, he refuses to traditional way of life. Most of British True power is cooperate with the FBI and refuses Columbia has never been ceded to natural. A blizzard is true to implicate anyone for any reason. any colonial government, and the natural power, a tornado indigenous nations living there have and a hurricane and an Graham has stated that Pictou- full jurisdiction over their lands and earthquake. These things Aquash was his sister and that they resources. of natural power that come stuck together because Natives from from earth are powers that Canada tended to be given a hard British Columbia is very rich in man cannot control. The time by their US brothers and sisters. natural resources—it has the eighth- federal government does not His job was to transport Pictou- highest mineral potential in the want us to recognize that as Aquash, who was hiding from Agent world. The province also has plans people we carry this natural Price and a violent infiltrator named to carve up the mountains with wall- power within us.” Douglas Durham. Graham has stated to-wall ski resorts by 2010. Currently, there is much indigenous resistance to that he drove her from Denver to a - Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash safe house on Pine Ridge. mining and resort development. The Statement to the Court of South Dakota most extreme case was the Gustafsen

- 11 - Lake standoff in 1995, when land defenders. This is a the government deployed 400 threat being made against Royal Canadian Mounted anyone who dares to stand Police tactical-assault-team up to the corporations that members to kill about 20 are stealing our lands. Now Natives who had defied a is the time to come together trespass notice and were and make a strong stand. We living within their traditional will be tested more in the tribal territories. Since then, coming years. dozens of Native people who have defended their lands have been criminalized. Billie Pierre is Nlaka’Pamux/ Saulteaux woman based in John Graham and Arlo Vancouver. She’s a NYM OG Looking Cloud’s current and joined in 1995. struggle for their own This article was first published freedom is a clear message in the January/February 2006 being sent out to all Native issue of the Earth First! Journal. Anna Mae Aquash’s History of Resistance

1969 Kenora, Ontario, by the Ojibway - Arrested in Boston after Warriors Society. jumping onto a group of police - Research, teaching and when they arrested a friend of creating programs for the Red hers who was assaulted at a Schoolhouse an AIM Survival bar. School in St. Paul, Minnesota. - Anna Mae wanted to find 1970 funding from places other - Acted as part of the Boston than the Christian church. She Indian Council and took part in took part in re-organizing the an AIM demonstration against Los Angeles AIM chapter into Mayflower II, Thanksgiving Day. a highly effective fundraising 1972 body. At this time, Anna Mae - Took part in the Trail of demanded the explulsion of then Broken Treaties leading to suspected (and later confirmed) a native occupation of the FBI informant Douglas Durham Bureau of Indian Affairs from Los Angeles AIM. headquarters in Washington DC. 1975 1973 - Participated in the armed - Participated in the armed occupation of a religious building liberation of Wounded Knee, in Gresham, Wisconsin, by the Pine Ridge, Lakota territory. Menominee Warrior Society. Acted as armed security and 1974 media relations. - Trained in karate at AIM gym. - Attended the AIM convention She could outmanouvre some in Farmington, New Mexico, of the men and her skill was related to racist murders of said to be equal to a brown belt. Navajos. - Swam across a bay to - Security and health for participate in the armed re- traditionalists at Pine Ridge, occupation of Anicinabe Park in South Dakota, Lakota territory.

- 12 - LETTERS from LEONARD PELTIER

Leonard Peltier concerning the Anna Mae Aquash murder investigation

May 1, 2003

Sisters, Brothers, Friends, and Supporters: After so many years, it is a relief to see movement in the in- vestigation of the murder of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. It has always been my desire to have her murder solved. However, Leonard Peltier’s Response to the I caution everyone not to rush to judgment and instead to turn a critical eye to the government’s activities in this case. Anna Mae Investigation The government has yet to prove that those indicted for the murder of Annie Mae are guilty of any crime. I very much September 29, 1999 fear that innocent people may be railroaded, as I have been, Excerpted from an “open letter”: into prison. I am so concerned about another miscarriage of justice be- I have just received and read a report written by Chris Nicho- cause of the visit I received from Bob Branscombe in the fall las about the recent press conference held in Canada in regard of 1998. He offered me a deal saying that if I helped to get to Anna Mae. I am very shocked and saddened by what is a conviction against John Boy Patton [AKA John Graham being said and the misinformation and outright lies that are -ed], he could assure me that I would be granted parole. I being spread about what happened to her and what has hap- couldn’t help because I didn’t know anything. I told him so. pened to me. I have not said anything up until now because Branscombe told me this didn’t matter as long as I was will- I do not want to be involved in an investigation carried out ing to help. He said, “You’ll be released within ten days if you in part, by Robert Ecoffey and the RCMP. Ecoffey was re- sign an affidavit against John Boy Patton.” I won’t ever ac- sponsible for much of the terror and corruption that existed cept being released in return for imprisoning someone who on Pine Ridge in the early 70’s. The RCMP, working with the is unfairly convicted. But maybe there are others who find FBI, submitted a fabricated statement against me over a year this kind of a deal acceptable? You can understand my doubts after I was arrested by them in Canada. about how the government, aided by some of the media, will Yes, we want justice for Anna Mae. We want justice for all of proceed in this case. Yes, we want justice for Annie Mae. But the people who died at the hands of Dick Wilson, the BIA it’s not justice if people are coerced into falsely pointing fin- gers of blame. and the FBI. It is not justice when people need to be co- erced into pointing fingers as was attempted with me. It is not It also is not justice if a full investigation into the FBI’s role justice if a full investigation into the FBI’s role in all of the in Annie Mae’s death is not included in the inquiry. Because deaths is not carried out. the FBI told Anna Mae that they would see her dead within a year if she did not cooperate with them, and because of the In the Spirit Of Crazy Horse, way the FBI handled the incident of her death, I continue to Leonard Peltier believe that they were at fault for her murder. Any investiga-

- 13 - tion that does not consider the fact that the FBI’s pathologist Leonard Responds to the Recent listed the cause of her death as exposure, despite the obvious bullet hole in her head, and then quickly had her buried be- Arrest of John Boy Graham in fore a positive identification could be made must be a bogus Vancouver, BC one. Special Agent David Price was very familiar with Annie Mae’s appearance and saw her body after it was first recov- December 5, 2003 ered. I believe he recognized her and attempted to cover up her murder. It is obvious to anyone who looks at the past few years with There are others who cry out for justice, too. What about an open mind and a remembrance of COINTELPRO, that Frank Clearwater, Buddy Lamont, Pedro Bissonette, and Joe the FBI’s program of misinformation and discrediting of ac- Killsright Stuntz - to name only a few? tivists is alive and well. I encourage all who come into contact with this finger-pointing behavior to also look at the person In the three years following Wounded Knee, Tribal Chairman pointing. Dick Wilson had the GOONs enforce his rules and anyone associated with AIM was targeted for violence. Their homes Your commitment to a cause, for the most part has to in- were burned. They were struck by cars, shot in drive-by shoot- clude a dedication to non-combat with your own people. If ings, and beaten. Between 1973 and 1976, over 60 traditional- you get caught up in a combative cycle you will spend most ists were murdered - Pine Ridge had the highest murder rate of your time fighting rumors and accusations and each other. in the United States - and When we talk of sovereignty, we must be willing many more were assaulted. In to solve our own problems and not go running almost every case, witness ac- “No. I never believed nor to the oppressor for relief. counts indicated GOON re- took seriously rumors that Since the Patriot Act was passed, the govern- sponsibility, but nothing was ment has gone back through records and is try- done to stop the violence. On Anna Mae Aquash was an ing to re-file on anyone it can, in any way. If you the contrary, the FBI supplied look at the history of colonization world-wide, the GOONs with weaponry FBI informant. I believe, the oppressor always identifies the individuals and intelligence on AIM, and within the resistance movement that they can looked the other way as the instead, that Anna Mae buy off and starts funding them. They likewise GOONs committed crimes. start neutralizing their opposition by discredit- As I have done many times was murdered because she ing individual leaders by whatever means neces- in the past, I call on all of sary; it is the old “Divide and Conquer” routine. my supporters to urge the was a skilled organizer & There are a lot of people in Indian Country U.S. Congress to investigate claiming to know this or that about someone the Reign of Terror. I believe leader for our people.” else. Ask for proof, if you’re going to consider Anna Mae’s murder was the their words. All the rumor mongers have sce- direct result of the FBI’s ac- narios they’ve come up with to, in essence, set a tivities on Pine Ridge. I say this not because I believe Annie trap for anyone willing to listen. Mae was an informant. No. I never believed nor took seri- My father once said that our greatest weaknesses have al- ously rumors that Anna Mae Aquash was an FBI informant. ways been booze, flattery and jealousy. If you look closely, you I believe, instead, that Anna Mae was murdered because she will find one or more of these at the foundation of the finger was a skilled organizer and leader for our people. There is no pointing. Growing up, I always heard my people say, “Ignore clearer example of FBI misconduct than the Reign of Terror. people’s misstatements about you and live your life so that all The events that happened there should not be allowed to be can see your true character”. forgotten nor covered up by time. With today’s technology of media, it has been found through Mitakuye Oyasin. surveys that a statement, whether true or not, is taken for In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, truth if not countered within a 24-hour period. As the old Leonard Peltier saying goes, “A lie will travel around the world, while the truth is just putting its boots on”. I have been in prison for over 27 years because of lies about myself, my people and my culture

- 14 - so I am sensitive to those who would make quick judgments Leonard’s Reaction to Kamook Banks without knowing the facts of a case. Notice that I say “know- ing”, not “believing”. and the Arlo Looking Cloud Trial I fear that John Boy will not receive a fair trial in the US any- February 10, 2004 more than I did. I must remind you, it is court record that the FBI lied to extradite me back to the US. I know that their Hau Kola, behavior hasn’t changed just as I know that Anna Mae was not an informant. As much as I want justice for Anna Mae, I First of all, I want to thank all those who have been standing likewise do not want an injustice to be enacted against one of up for the American Indian Movement and myself. The Arlo our own in the name of crime-solving - so that some finger- Looking Cloud trial was nothing more than an indirect pre- pointing government lackey can get a feather in his cap. sentation of another Myrtle Poorbear to discredit AIM and The death of Anna Mae should be considered Indian Busi- myself, and to extradite John Graham. I am an innocent man. ness - Indigenous Nation to Indigenous Nation. We still have The government knows that, and Kamook knows I am in- within the framework of our culture the capacity to deal with nocent as well. our own problems and mete out the appropriate punishment, On a personal note, Kamook’s testimony was like being according to the offense. Anna Mae was a victim of the op- stabbed in the heart while simultaneously being told your sis- pressor - any person who had part in her death likewise, in ter just died. I cannot convey enough, the shock and hurt that some form is and always will be a victim; for what person can I felt. Of all the fabrications that the government has used to ever feel good about the death of a beautiful young Indian keep me imprisoned, this one hurt so deeply. I would have woman, mother and activist for her people? Those responsible laid down my life to defend Kamook and her people and I for her death, whether they pulled the trigger or not, must did risk it several times. If there has ever been a time dur- surely suffer strongly from their own fears as to want someone ing my 28 years in this hole that I have felt disheartened, it as her no longer among the living. is now. I loved Kamook as my own family. I can’t believe the Some of my brothers and I once had a conversation about such $43,000 the FBI gave her was a determining factor for her possibilities and it was unanimous: we are not here to fight our to perjure herself on the witness stand. There must have been own people and to take the life of even one of our own would some extreme threat the FBI or their cronies put upon her. discredit our cause. Likewise, it will not serve us to take the life of anyone. Our battles have always been in defense and If you want to know who is responsible for Anna Mae’s death, to keep the enemy back while using the media to let average just look around and see who else has been irresponsibly Americans know what was being done to our people in their pointing fingers at proven warriors. This kind of behavior is name with their tax dollars. doing the dirty work of the F.B.I. and the corporate entities Someone once said that you can measure the stature of a man that seek to control or own Native lands and resources. All of by the size of his enemy. With that in mind, I say to our people, those who took part in this abortion of justice in Rapid City “We have been and still are at odds with the most dangerous, should be ashamed. I would say more, but my emotions are well-funded, strongest military and political organization in overwhelming at the moment. the history of the world.” We as a people and a nation need to honor those who sacri- If you sometimes feel overwhelmed, as I sometimes am, then ficed for the people and not forget them as they become el- remember Geronimo, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Osceola, Te- ders. In every generation we must stand strong. The enemy cumseh and a host of others - you are in good company. has many masks and the ideologies that drive it are centu- I am proud to be a Native American because my people before ries old now, the gluttonous appetite for money and power me stood up against overwhelming odds so that I might have of those addicted. I will not give up and it’s not over until a chance to exist. They were successful, as I am living proof. I it’s over. Speak, organize, demonstrate, pray, help the poor pray to the Creator that the future generations will feel the and oppressed, be a good example, and most of all “don’t same about us because we will stand up and will be successful ever give up!” and they will be living proof. In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse, Stay Strong My Relatives. Leonard Peltier In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Mitakuye Oyasin Leonard Peltier - 15 - LETTERS in support of John Graham

Vancouver NYM - Statement on hands cut off for fingerprint analysis. During the first autopsy, the Arrest of John Graham the government coroner determined the cause of death to be exposure, somehow missing the bullet hole in the back of her head. February 7, 2004 Leonard Peltier, we recall, was extradited from Vancouver On Monday, December 1, 2003, John Graham was arrested in in [1976] under false evidence provided to Canadian courts Vancouver, Canada. He is charged by the FBI with the 1975 by the FBI. He was subsequently tried and convicted for the murder of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, a Mi’kmaq from Nova 1975 shoot-out at Oglala, South Dakota, in which two FBI Scotia whose frozen body was found on the Pine Ridge Res- agents were killed. During this same incident, the FBI shot ervation, South Dakota. and killed AIM member Joseph Stuntz Killsright. Presently free on bail, John Graham faces extradition to the A basic principle of any resistance movement is non-collabo- US. ration with our enemy. As Peltier recently stated in regards to the arrest of John Graham: At this time, the Native Youth Movement (NYM) Vancouver feels it necessary to state its position in regards to this case. “When we talk of sovereignty, we must be willing to solve our own problems and not go running to the oppressor for relief . Anna Mae has been an inspiration and example to our move- . . We have been and still are at odds with the most dangerous, ment for many years. She symbolized the warrior spirit and well-funded, strongest military and political organization in our people’s determination to resist. This is also the legacy of the history of the world [the US government].” the American Indian Movement, to which she belonged. We must therefore oppose the attempt to extradite John Gra- It was because of this spirit that AIM was targeted by the ham to South Dakota by US authorities, and denounce the FBI’s Counter-Intelligence Program (COINTEL-PRO) in efforts by certain individuals in our own community to facili- the early 1970’s, and why so many AIM members in South tate this process. Dakota were killed during this period, including Anna Mae Aquash. In particular, we must clarify that Kelly White, a local (Van- couver) Native radio show host who has conducted an ongo- If, as alleged, her killing was ordered by AIM’s leadership (un- ing campaign against John Graham, has never been a leader, der the pretext she was an informant), those ultimately re- member, or advisor to the NYM. Furthermore, NYM Van- sponsible for her death are US government officials, including couver does not consider information provided by Ms. White the FBI - for it was under their orders that a deadly counter- to be credible. insurgency campaign was waged against AIM, which includ- ed portraying genuine movement members as informants. In conclusion, no member of NYM was involved in the con- flicts of the 1970s. We weren’t there. We cannot say with cer- This strategy was used to create paranoia and division, to tainty that John Graham did - or did not - kill Anna Mae. We turn members against one another (just as the FBI had done have neither the information nor witnesses at our disposal to against the Black Panther Party). Anna Mae was herself the make such a decision. target of an FBI “bad jacket”. FBI agents had threatened to kill her in the year prior to her death. When her body was What can be said is that Anna Mae Aquash, along with found, despite being on an FBI wanted list, agents had her many others, died as a direct result of her commitment to - 16 - the struggle for her people. She is an example of all we aspire This struggle continues today. John Graham was active in to be as a resistance movement. She was a warrior, a veteran fighting uranium mining in South Dakota, Saskatchewan, of the 71-day siege at Wounded Knee in 1973, a community and B.C. for ten years. worker who helped set up schools and camps. She promoted Our people in the trenches should not be handed over to our traditional culture and spirituality. She gave her life for us, enemies. knowing all along the consequences. That is why she is called a Brave-Hearted Woman. Wolverine Whatever the result of any trials conducted in the court rooms [Wolverine was also a prisoner of war because of his role as one of of our oppressor - the same ones’ ultimately responsible for the Ts’peten, Gustafsen Lake, defenders during the 1995 armed Anna Mae’s death - we will continue to advance in our move- defense of a Sun Dance camp that was put under siege by the ment towards victory, inspired by her memory and her spirit. Royal Canadian Mounted Police] Native Youth Movement, Secwepemc NYM Announces Vancouver Chapter Official Support for John Graham We Are Wolves Not Sheep February 20, 2005 Letter from Wolverine, Secwepemc Elder, Secwepemc Nation, South- Secwepemc Native Youth Movement stands with our Brother central British Columbia, Canada John Graham. Secwepemc NYM believes that no Indian should be forced February 6th, 2005 into the white man’s courts or prisons. The white man has come here to our Land and invaded every aspect of our lives. On February 21, 2005, Judge Elizabeth Bennet will make her They have waged war on us and that has forced us to fight decision on the extradition of John Graham who is charged by back and resist their invasion and forced assimilation. When the U.S. government for the murder of Anne Mae Aquash. we fight for the freedom of our People we have always been criminalized and thrown in their prisons. This is not new and I endorse the John Graham Defence campaign and encourage this will keep on happening until we are Free. everyone to help out in any way they can. To our brother John Graham, keep on fighting, stay strong. The United States is responsible for the murder of 67 of our people in Pine Ridge, including Anne Mae Aquash. Warriors Unite. Free Leonard Peltier. These people might still be alive today if not for the U.S. gov- In the Spirit of Resistance, ernment’s programme of harassment and assassination against Secwepemc Native Youth Movement our people who were fighting for their lives and land. On February 6, 1976, Leonard Peltier was ar- rested for extradition to the U.S. on charges for the deaths of two FBI agents at Jumping Bull Ranch on June 26, 1975. The day of Jumping Bull shoot-out, 1/8th of the Pine Ridge Reservation was signed over for ura- nium exploration and ex- traction on 133,000 acres Secwepmec NYM - A march against the Sun Peaks Ski Resort Wolverine at Sundance grounds, during of land. the 1995 armed standoff at Gustafen Lake. development in their territory. This struggle continues.

- 17 - Lee Maracle’s Support Letter for John Graham

[Forwarded by Vancouver NYM in March of 2005]

I first met John Graham in the living room of the home I shared with my first husband in the semi industrial neigh- borhood of East 8th Avenue near Main Street in Vancouver some 28 years ago. I had been a social activist, struggling for First Nation’s rights for nearly 10 years by this time. I had seen the inside of a number of First Nation’s organizations, Chief Te Kapilano (right) and Harriet Nahanee (center), outside the Vancouver courthouse in February, 2005 both ‘mainstream oriented’ and radical. I had been and still am an avid Leonard Peltier supporter. I did not believe then and believe less now, that American courts could hand out Letter from Chief Te Kapilano of justice to Peltier. But, by the time I met John I had become the Squamish Nation jaded: the American Indian Movement leaders were showing themselves to be little better than those they accused of miss treatment of First Nation’s people. One of the leaders had March 1, 2005 shot another in a alcohol driven brawl; another had physically attacked someone he thought was a communist; still others I, Chief Te Kapilano of the Squamish Nation: excersise my were rumored to be violent toward their women partners, and inherent right from the Creator still others, were rumored to have raped women supporters. I, issue a Royal Decree for John Graham (Shadleeta) More significantly, in the aftermath of the siege at Wounded I, Chief Te Kapilano state that Knee paranoia gripped the activists as it came to light that John Graham (Shadleeta) is under my territorial protection both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canadian and trust Royal Canadian Mounted Police had used informants and illegal surveillance to disrupt and monitor First Nation’s, That all bail sureties, properties and monies be returned Black and Student organizations. During my activist years That his house arrest be lifted, so he can work from 1972 through 1988 accusations of ‘being a cop, a snitch, an informant’ etc. abounded. I too, was accused. Like a good That the daily report to the police station, be once a week Sto:loh woman I faced my accusers and they backed down. John Graham (Shadleeta) has assured me, he is not a flight I began to realize that some of the American Indian Move- risk and wants to see justice prevail for Annie Mae Pictou ment members were bullies and like all bullies when con- Maloney Aquash fronted they turned tail and run. To assure this Not only that, but our communities are plagued with vio- I, Chief Te Kapilano, excersise my inherent right from the lence, the leftover hangover of colonial besiegement. 90% of Creator First Nation’s women are victims of violence and rape; the majority has been sexually and physically abused as children To call a tribunal to look at all aspects of the case and adults. First Nation’s children are 40% more likely to be Order in Council (UK) 9 March 1704 victims of violence in school then any other race of people in Sublimus Deus 1537* (papal bull) both Canada and the United States. I too, have been a victim of violence in public school on a daily basis. I endured 37 at- Chief Te Kapilano tempted rapes beginning as a five year old when a white man (*Note by the John Graham Defense Committee: In 1537, Pope whose name I still remember attempted to rape me. My elder Paul III published the encyclical Sublimis Deus, which declared the natives of the New World to be rational beings with souls who brother rescued me. Only one of my perpetrators was a First must not be enslaved or robbed.) Nation’s man and 36 white men, one of which was successful by the time I was eighteen.

- 18 - I had worked on a “Street Patrol” fashioned after the Black have selected John Graham as the patsy for this murder. It Panther Party just as the Minnesota American Indian Move- makes no sense whatsoever that of all the American Indian ment members did during the late 1960’s. We monitored and Movement members who have a proclivity toward violence, reported police abuses of First Nation’s downtown eastside that they should choose the one who had the biggest and citizens. By 1970, the violence we were struggling to prevent kindest heart. Perhaps it is because he is easy pickings, a Ca- was less and less versus White violence. More nadian will have little support in America and so the trial and more it was violence between First Nation’s people. We will be swift and a guilty verdict assured, particularly since began the first Native Counseling and Referral Center in the homeless alcoholic who is serving a life sentence already Canada as a result. I was barely 20 years old at the time. That is committed to naming John as the shooter. But that isn’t Center still operates in Vancouver. But by the mid-1970’s what scares me most. America is governed by a right wing family and a terrible sadness over the state of affairs of First president who is alleged to have cheated the electoral process Nation’s people made me withdraw from politics for a brief both times in the past two elections. As we await John Gra- period. Not only do we have to fight for our very survival, but ham’s fate, there exist laws in the United States which gives also we had to fight to end the violence from within. It was the government and the police the right to remove human disheartening for me as youth. rights if “terrorism” is suspected and they have been referring to the accused in this case as a terrorist. In fact, the whole So, when John entered my living room I was cool and polite. history of the American [Indian] Movement activism is be- “Show me you are different from the rest” was the foremost ing referred to as “domestic terrorism”. America was found thought on my mind. Over the course of 28 years John has guilty of human rights violations as recently as 1998 by the shown me he was very different from many of the First Na- United Nations. All kinds of evidence of torture, abuse and tions men I have known. He showed me not only his own humiliation of prisoners arrested under the new terrorist laws kindness, but he also showed me how to find kindness inside abound. Leonard Peltier still has not received a new trial de- myself, kindness for my children and for other human be- spite overwhelming evidence that he was wrongfully accused. ings. He taught me that “fighting against the government” is not what justice is all about. Justice is a fight for our very Why would Canada turn any Canadian over to the United humanity. It is a struggle not so much against someone, but States for a highly charged and political trial in this circum- a struggle with the self, a struggle to bring up the best in you stance? and then it is a struggle to share that goodness with every- - Lee Maracle one, not just First Nation’s people, but people of all races. He taught me to respect myself as a woman, as a mother and as a First Nation’s person. [Note: Arlo Looking Cloud plead not guilty at his trial, He was one of the few men in my children’s life who has unsuccessfully appealed his conviction, and has stated that he proven himself to be worthy of their trust. He is respectful, will not testify against John Graham] kind, generous and committed to Justice. I can’t believe they

Vancouver graffiti - 19 - Support letter for John Graham Anarchist solidarity with from Monica Charles indigenous warrior John Graham

May 23, 2007 By some Vancouver anarchists January 19, 2008 To the John Graham Defense Committee: Anarchists in Vancouver, Canada, have been standing in soli- I believe in the innocence of Arlo Looking Cloud and John darity with indigenous warrior John Graham since his extra- Graham. Moreover I believe in their right to be considered in- dition hearings began here in 2004. nocent until proven guilty. Arlo was not accorded that oppor- tunity in his trial. No concrete evidence was The FBI charges that Graham killed his comrade Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, his friend and fellow warrior presented against him. The United States Gov- “We will not give up ernment has no concrete evidence against John in the American Indian Movement (AIM). to warrant his extradition to South Dakota. Aquash’s body was found on the Pine Ridge any more of our People Indian Reservation, South Dakota, in Febru- We know from the railroading of Arlo Look- ary of 1976. ing Cloud that John Graham will not receive to cover up crimes Although Aquash was a well-known AIM a fair trial in South Dakota. We also have the leader and fugitive, Federal Bureau of Investi- precedent of Leonard Peltier’s extradition committed against us.” gation (FBI) agents and Bureau of Indian Af- and trial. I believe the cases of Arlo Looking fairs (BIA) police claimed they couldn’t iden- Cloud and John Graham to be a mop up of tify her. Their pathologist claimed she died of the FBI’s war against Indian People. They are assigning blame exposure and removed her hands. The BIA prevented people for their crimes back into our own Indian communities. from viewing her body and had her body buried without a I believe that Anna Mae was killed primarily for her research death certificate or burial permit before her hands were sent into uranium mining on Indian Reservations in the United to the FBI for identification. A second autopsy requested by States. Is it coincidental that John Graham is a leader in the her family and friends revealed that she had been shot. anti-nuclear movement in Canada? In the 1970s, the FBI’s Counter-Intelligence Program (COIN- Anna Mae Aquash was no vapid victim of the American In- TELPRO) was targeting AIM and traditional dian Movement. Her words and actions state otherwise. She for destruction, in part because of high-profile actions such was a strong, intelligent Indian woman that lived her life in as the armed re-occupation of Wounded Knee at Pine Ridge. service to Indian People. In the course of three years, an FBI-backed death squad, the Guardians Of the Oglala Nation (GOONS), which included The American Indian Movement and all activist groups were many BIA cops, killed more than 60 AIM members and tra- under heavy surveillance during the 1970’s. If John and Arlo ditional Lakota people on the reservation. BIA Tribal Chief kidnapped and murdered Anna Mae there would have been Dick Wilson, founder of the GOONS, signed over Lakota surveillance photos and tapes to substantiate that. It would territory for exploitation by various energy corporations, in- have been presented at Arlo’s trial. There was none. cluding uranium-mining companies. If the United States Government has concrete evidence of In the 1990s, law enforcement agent Robert Ecoffey began John’s guilt in the murder of Anna Mae Aquash then they to fabricate a case that AIM leaders ordered Aquash killed must be required to present such proof to extradite him. We because they believed that she was an FBI informant. This was will not give up any more of our People to cover up crimes based on the FBI’s attempt in the 1970s to spread rumours committed against us. within AIM that Aquash was an informant and to shift suspi- Monica J Charles cion for her murder from themselves to AIM after their failed attempt to cover-up her identity and true cause of death. Elwha Klallam Tribal Elder Veteran of the occupation of the BIA 1972 In the 1970s, Ecoffey was a member of the BIA police force Veteran of the occupation of Wounded Knee 1973 at Pine Ridge and took part in the FBI-led assault on an AIM Member of Lummi Smokehouse 1977 camp set up to protect a Lakota family from the GOONS. Member of 1910 Indian Shaker Church 1996 This event became known as the “Incident at Oglala” and led

- 20 - to the deaths of AIM warrior Joe Stuntz Killsright and two Peltier to have him extradited from Vancouver. Peltier said FBI agents. Ecoffey later testified as a government witness he was offered his freedom in 1998 if he falsely pointed against AIM warrior Leonard Peltier at the 1977 frame-up the finger at John Graham and AIM leaders for Aquash’s trial over the killing of the two FBI agents. death. He refused. Graham has said US law enforcement We believe that the case against John Graham is an attempt agents visited him in the Yukon in the 1990s and threat- to cover-up the deadly counter-insurgency campaign waged ened that he’d face a murder charge if he didn’t falsely point by government agencies at Pine Ridge in the 1970s. We also the finger at AIM leaders for Aquash’s murder. He refused. believe it is an attempt to cover-up Aquash and Graham’s his- John Graham is currently imprisoned at the Pennington tory of resistance to the corporate theft and destruction of in- County Jail in Rapid City, South Dakota, and his trial date digenous land, cutting-off today’s generation and future gen- has been set for [October 6th], 2008. He was arrested in erations from an important point-of-reference. Both Aquash Vancouver in December of 2003 and spent 40 days in prison and Graham opposed uranium mining as being in total con- until he was released under house arrest to face his extradi- flict with the traditional indigenous way of life. In the 1980s, tion hearings. He was taken back to prison on June 26, 2007, Graham continued to fight against uranium mining in Native just before the Supreme Court of British Columbia rejected territories in Canada. his appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada rejected his final At different times, Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, Leonard Pel- appeal on December 6, 2007, and he was extradited to South tier and John Graham all said they were offered their free- Dakota that same day. That night, the locks of the probation dom if they collaborated with the FBI against AIM lead- office he was forced to regularly check-in with were glued shut ers. They all refused. Myrtle Poor Bear said that FBI agents and “Free John Graham” was spray-painted on one of its walls. threatened her with photos of Aquash’s body, saying it would There is also an on-going graffiti campaign in Vancouver in be worse with her if she didn’t sign false affidavits against solidarity with him.

1976 - Supporters drum and sing with fists in the air during Leonard Pel- tier’s extradition hearing at the Vancouver, BC courthouse. According to an eye- witness account from inside the courtroom, as the judge began to read his decision to extradite, “everyone in the gallery, with arms raised in the AIM salute, rose in solidarity with Peltier...” The judge adjourned the court, but because it was so crowded people had to exit slowly. “The Sher- iff’s officers started to push... pushing turned to punches... I saw one woman being strangled by a police officer while another held her by the feet. Another woman was dragged along by the hair. In another cor- ner a pregnant woman was being pushed into the wall and kicked... Blood was spilling onto the floor.” Source: The Indian Voice, Vancouver, June 1976

- 21 - Vancouver anarchists first learned about the “By standing in case from the local Native Youth Movement, mutual friends and John Graham’s family. We solidarity with Some Actions of further educated ourselves, got to know John John Graham we himself and talked with him about his his- Solidarity: tory. Anarchists in Vancouver (and at times are strengthening anarchists from other parts of British Co- June 26, 2008, Coast Salish Territories lumbia) have attended his court dates, vis- our own struggle (Vancouver, Canada) ited him in prison, put on informational June 26th was the one year anniversary events on the case, put up posters, produced of John’s imprisonment. A group of 20 for freedom.” native and non-native supporters picket- leaflets and supported events held for John ed the office of Cash Minerals, a compa- Graham by the Native Youth Movement or ny interested in uranium exploration near his daughters. We’ve also supported indigenous warriors who’ve pub- John’s home community in the Yukon. licly challenged speakers spreading disinformation around the case. June 18, 2008, Vancouver, Canada Indigenous resistance to colonization is one of our primary sources of in- Two surveillance cameras were decom- spiration in our own anarchist struggle against industrialism, capitalism misioned on Commercial Drive, and the and the State. By standing in solidarity with John Graham we are strength- probation office (see Dec. 6 below) was ening our own struggle for freedom. graffitied with “Freedom is Our Crime!” The action’s communique mentions that For us, solidarity with John Graham also means continuing on with the John Graham is imprisoned awaiting trial struggle against development, against uranium mining, against the police, and states: “Solidarity is our Weapon!” against all prisons everywhere. As Anna Mae Pictou Aquash herself said June 13, 2008, Santa Cruz, California after she was arrested and threatened by the FBI in September of 1975, Rocks are thrown through two Santa “Jails are not a solution to problems.” Cruz County Courthouse windows. The action is dedicated to John Graham, John Graham: among others. A True Warrior of Mother Earth April 11, 2008, Ottawa, Canada A community policing station was at- tacked with rocks and paint, and a news- by Chusia Graham warrior of mother Earth. This is a paper distribution box in front set on fire. huge First Nations issue and it’s We need to be stronger than The action’s communique speaks against not getting the attention it needs. the corporations and governments, government repression and the fabrica- This attack on our people needs tion of the case against John Graham. stronger than their lies and to change. A new history has to manipulations. We need to stand happen. December 6, 2007 Vancouver, Canada together and get this straightened But are we going to let this In the night, after John was extradited, out. Justice and peace will never happen? the locks of the probation office on Com- happen till we are able to live ...We need all the help, mercial Drive where he had been forced together, be strong together, and support and interest that we can to report to week after week were glued fight together. We need to create get. shut. “Free John Graham!” was spray- a resistance so strong that when John Graham is a political painted on the roof. the United States corporations prisoner. His whole life has been come for our people, we can tell a fight for freedom. It should them that they no longer have be everybody’s given right. The jurisdiction and force them to Canadian and United States stop. governments will never break my Let’s take back Mother Earth dad’s spirit, though we all get tired to set her free, to be beautiful. and my dad needs a break. He Put the people who are behind needs to make his own decisions the corporations in murdering our like everyone else, and he needs people and Mother Earth in the to be a grandpa. I will fight till John jails that they created. Graham, my dad, is free to live his We all as a nation need life in peace and to excercise his to stand up and protect a true rights to protect Mother Earth.

- 22 - Mural painted on the side of a building in 2007 - Coast Salish Territory, Victoria, BC. We Are Indians Our roots shall continue to push up your cement Our blades of grass shall continue to sprout up between your sidewalks Our rivers shall continue to run over their banks When the last drop of my blood enters mother earth (Which will be my children’s children) Then we will be nourished into trees, grass, mountains, rocks For we are mother earth We are Indians - Annie Mae Pictou-Aquash Naguset Eask (Micmac) November 19, 1975

Entrance to the Anna Mae Aquash Survival Camp