Living in Indian Country

new book, essays from this blog...

2011-12-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Ghost Rider Roads
collected/by antoinette nora claypoole
coming Jan 2012

a new book about Anna Mae, and the old American Indian Movement includes

essays from this blog
previously unpublished work by Robert Robideau (rip)
and information on Leonard Peltier's current campaign for Executive Clemency....

connect here if you would like a FREE review copy

from...GHOST RIDER ROADS

2011-09-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

photo at top of this blog: Nogeeshik and Annie Mae Aquash at the Siege of Wounded Knee, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. 1973. photographer unknown.

The pieces in this blog were written during the eight years when John Graham---accused murderer of Anna Mae Aquash --fought extradition from Canada, to the United States. The writings here present Graham's insistence upon his innocence in the murder of his friend...and other realities. If you don't know who Anna Mae was, or why her brutal murder impacts all humans, reading these blog posts will help you feel more than you imagined could ever happened. And. Please know. Over the years, I intended to offer as many "sides" of the story as I could bring myself to tell.

Dedicated to Anne Mae Aquash (1945-1975/) and her husband Nogeeshik Aquash (RIP), members of the American Indian Movement during the 1970's, this blog is now complete: there will be no more pieces added to these pages. John Graham is serving a life sentence. Railroaded Justice.

To read these pieces for historical purposes, you can use the search button (above this post) or peruse the "archives" feature. Some of the work here is also included in the upcoming book (January 2012) Ghost Rider Roads. and in both places will find anything from a statement by Annie Mae's daughter, to a letter by Annie Mae from jail before she was murdered, to a rant about John Trudell's role in this entire nightmare. As well, you can read John Graham's entire interview with me, about how the FBI offered him a "deal" to name "old AIM" leaders as killers and how his allegiance to the Movement and the People lead him to "not co-operate". He serves a life sentence because of his beliefs.

Soon, the life sentence of John Graham will be known as another great injustice placed upon People of First Nations by the U.S. Gov't. While those truly responsible for the brutal killing of Annie Mae Aquash, may never be known.

---all my relations, antoinette nora claypoole. sept 8, 2011

photo above: by Anne Pearse Hocker (used with permission):
"Annie Mae at the Siege of Wounded Knee" soon after her wedding to Nogeeshik.
and originally published in Who would unbraid her hair: the legend of Annie Mae by antoinette nora claypoole. (1999, dist. Clear Light Books, Sante Fe, N.M.)

Decades of Deceit: Graham's Life Sentence

2011-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Jan. 24, 2011. An old hotel where "movie stars" have stayed, an Indian Reservation where women are still found frozen to death. A fancy bronze sculpture of an "Indian warrior". Bars and Courtrooms. That's Rapid City, South Dakota. In a line: a colonizer's town where the Indian Wars were never quite ended.

Today, after years of fighting Extradition from Canada for the murder of his friend Anna Mae Aquash, John Graham, for whom this blog was begun, faces sentencing in South Dakota State Court. He was found guilty in Dec. of "kidnapping leading to murder", found not guilty of pre-meditated murder. And sentenced, today, to "life in prison". His daughter, his friends and family have always believed his innocence. And today he spoke, after not having taken the witness stand during his trial.

According to witnesses, John Graham faced Anna Mae's daughters, in the courtroom today during sentencing. And explained. What had said to me in my interview with him. What his family and friends know. He never murdered Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. When I attended his 2005 extradition hearings in Vancouver, B.C., stayed at a "support house" in the city, I learned alot about John Graham, the love his people have for him, and about the man himself. A gentle demeanor, his was not accusation nor anger, vindictiveness nor hate. It was sorrow at having been targetted by people he considered his "friends".

"Once in the 80's", he told me in a funky coffee shoppe not far from where he checked into parole each day, " Once John Trudell and Dino Butler were facing some heat in the States. THey needed to hide out. I gave them a safe shelter here in B.C. until things cooled off. Why would Trudell turn on me?? And tell lies." Graham said this over coffee, in a near whisper. Perplexed. "I cared about him. He was my brother". Shaking his head, looking for the creamer as a distraction to the pain.

Trudell, in fact, had "identified" Graham for the FBI, and his statement was KEY in the extradition of John Graham. In Court, before I left back for the States, the Judge confirmed reliance on Trudell as key in the decision to uphold extradition. (search this blog and you'll find the details)

It is not only the loss of a father, activist and friend which has struck Vancouver, B.C. and White Horse Junction up in the Yukon, but also the deep scars of betrayal which were ripped open as not one old AIM person defended John Graham. WDith either a statement or a testimony, a letter or a song. In fact, when Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman was still alive, he HAD planned a great benefit/event in San Francisco for John Graham. That was during the Looking Cloud trial, back in 2004. Trudell was initially going to be there, with Floyd. But the day after i broke the news on KPFK Pacifica Radio, Westerman "cancelled" the event. When asked why he/Trudell claimed "it was just too controversial" to support John Graham.

Today, Graham's daughter Naneek, a strong and devoted woman, was quoted in the Rapid City Journal as standing by her father. Naturally. "Believing his innocence."

Anyone who has met John Graham, talked with him and considered the circumstances of his arrest stood with Naneek in that courtroom, awaiting another mandate by "justice". Graham's lawyer plans an appeal, Anna Mae daughters--their vendetta persisting-- continue to call for more indictments of old AIM they claim "ordered her murder". And I. Wonder at all the people I have met in the American Indian Movement over the past three decades. Feel all those I have known. Some dead. Many whom I have loved. I feel the heartbeat of lying as a way to save one's life. I read and re read the FBI affadavits about "Annie Mae Aquash" alive in Jan. 1976, a month after people claim Graham Killed her. I recall the first person who told me about Paula Giese, a friend to Annie Mae, how Paula saw Annie Mae after the date people say Graham killed her. And how Giese died, how Annie Mae's husband Nogeeshik died after "finding out who killed her".

In my mind. Many AIM lives have been destroyed. Because the United States has yet to cease the Indian Wars. And all these murdered. And all those alive, but dead, nonetheless. Are now joined. As a song around the "old days" drum. Variant shrills of war woven with love of the Earth. Pounding into our hearts. To become One was the dream. To connect with all things truth. These ways are all but gone. Otherwise, John Graham would not have been sitting in a white man's courtroom. With Indian "children" looking to big daddy "justice" to dish up mercy. Something in the entire fates of Nations. Of Human Beings. Has gone terribly wrong. John Graham's "sentence" and conviction are the mirror within which we all must face "the truth of the lie".

John Trudell -Out of the Blues

2010-12-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

NEW WORK, from upcoming book Ghost Rider Roads (Wild Embers Press, Dec. 2011)....collected/by antoinette nora claypoole

Prologue

by antoinette nora claypoole

Last night I slept on the sofa of a friend I met in graduate school many years ago, While dreaming. I became a breathe a comma between life's sentences. And here, then, there off the I-10 heading east from Los Angeles, somewhere between Whitewater Canyon and West LA two old friends I haven't seen in a very long time. Arrived. In classic American Indian wild west style. They came to me. In my dreams. Both used to live in Indian Country. That's where we met sometime before freeways were this crowded. An empty hotel bramble bush. Outside of a Safeway crushed soda can parking lot. Dave Chief. John Trudell. Both Lakota, both people I called family. Once. Before we inherited this peril called a 21st century.

The last time I saw Dave Chief was right after Mother's day 2005. He died suddenly soon after that. It wasn't the buffalo stew I cooked for him. Or anything. He had been having dreams of his own. About large camps of people and fields burning and messages from old timers. And suddenly it seems he joined them without much as a whisper about the leaving. So Indian. But here he was. Last night. Back from the slippery slopes of death. Here. In California in my dream. Like an old Mamas and Papas song. "all the leaves are brown". They were both dying. Or dead. Or someplace in that twilight space where only meteors and promises reside. A collision of time was inside of me. Dave Chief. With his beyond shoulder length graying hair, awoke. From his death. He got up slowly in his blue jeans and cowboy button shirt, no hat on, his hair down. Rugged. Just like he was born. On the side of a dirt road, the wagon pulling over while his mother brought him to us. Last night. No sage stick. No abalone shell. No shoobla doobla new age Indian stuff. No pipe bundle or altar and buffalo skull. Just him. Casually rising from his place of death. It's almost Easter for the Christians and I wondered for a minute, this morning, if I was actually having Jesus, Catholic girl flashbacks. Or something.

Resurrected icons on my mind.

Nonetheless I stayed with the dream. I hung out with Dave and didn't pull my eyes open into night. Like the shades covering neighborhood rappers. In this bedroom community. The full moon was swallowed by smog. I knew if I left Dave Chief even just to blink or paint his desert, his existence there would only be night, hollow emptied like the hollywood hills. I stayed there. Like a broken neon light where cigarettes are still the rage. There. In the room with Dave. He had been laying down and got up fully dressed, no crinkles in his jeans slowly, walked around toward me. I said something trite, like you need an ashtray, stumbling over myself like I often did in Indian Country. Something like "Dave, but you died. SO suddenly. You can't be here walking around, kid". I did call him kid occasionally. While we hung outside of some event or another. In Northampton, Mass. or at a Peltier rally in Oregon. Smoking Pall Malls if lucky. Me rolling organic American Spirit on other days.

"Dave. You are dead".

He didn't say much to that little proclamation. Just came around to me and started singing a Lakota song. He said "antoinette, Just wanted to teach you this song". Yep. I am serious. Nope. This is not an essay on how Indians are. This is an introduction for you, from me, about how my life with Indians has been. My trek inside the moccasin telegraph. And Dave was that, last night. Like he always was. Teaching young people the old songs. Back in the day.

But I am not young and about as far from Indian Country as I am from the old Ashland, Oregon mobile home. Oregon is a lifetime away from this gangland helicopter infested "inland empire" off the I-10 the Redlands side of San Grogorino. Still. Dave persisted like he always did. Cancer Sun, heart of rowdy denim and gruff warrior stance of an ancient Homerian legend. Dave sang a song. In Lakota. No drum. Sang and sang and I was home then. Yes well I can feel Sherman Alexie breathing down my literary neck. Right about now. If he is loathe to Barbara Kingsolve, r let's just hope he never reads me, right?

There is nothing I can do about it. This was my life for 25 years. In Indian Country. Dave came back and wanted to be sure I was singing with him. I did. I was the song he wanted me to learn and In those minutes he had me convinced he was back. We were back. In Ashland, We were back. Together. We were timeless and in a moment. Gone again. He laid back down to death. And sent in his old brother friend to see me next. I felt like I was in line at a movie show waiting for the autographs I already had collected. I accepted the continuance of crying for a dream. I moved up the hill of night like a lone wolf on an outmoded quest. Exit. Dave Chief, enter John Trudell. In my dreams. He is, alive in "real" life but in the dream he's dead, clearly silent, cold, laying flat on his back in an old sharkskin suit coat and jeans. No glasses on. I stared at him. Leaned over his cold body. My old. Lover. Whose words I had fallen asleep reading. An interview done with Trudell, an interview no one has ever read. I don't think it will be in this book, either. Words people may never see in print. Lucky or stupid enough to have copies of his muddled version of reality about Annie Mae Pictou Aquash, M'ik M'aq (1945-1975/6) a member of the American Indian Movement who was found murdered in 1976. A woman for whom my first book was written and published. Long after her death. I was reading Trudell's version of murder, his reality as repeated to one of Leonard Peltier's lawyers. Once. And then I fell asleep.

Observe Orient Decide Act. Echoing, memorizing my night.

Not believing John was dead. Because Dave Chief had just defied death and I thought I was becoming a fast learner. I was right. My once dream lover suddenly opened his eyes. I did nearly jump out my dream jamies, nearly rolled off the sofa in fright. He glared at me. He had no song to teach. Not a word. Only a glare, a stare and I was happy he was here, in this world of dreams, He looked. Like he always did. Skiddishly. Into my soul. I knew I had to be. Truth. There is nothing left untold. And then I sang him a lullaby. There is nothing you need to do, sleep sweet baby, sleep. It seems he listened to me, like he once did, we the homeless strays who together. Imagined blue corn cakes, one fine day. I was telling him there was nothing he could say. It was up to me, now.

This morning I did the make black tea, babysit my friend's daughter while mama attended a writer's group, chatted with my daughter about her seeing Barack Obama in person, up in Oregon and just did all the early spring things. A Saturday in S. California brings. Then. Late in the day I phoned a lady in Las Vegas. About a writer's conference. She immediately told me a story about selling her as yet unwritten book to a publisher. It is a murder mystery. She said "even the most unlikely things can happen. If you are open to telling people how important your story is. And why it is so unique." I had only phoned to find out the schedule of events. I wasn't looking for happy ending tales of writer's can make a living, too, stories. But there it was. Her story forced me to visit my story. I opened the Indian Essays folder on my mac laptop. The book I started 5 years ago. I had been sifting through the files all week, truth be told. Wondering whether to try one last time, to find a publisher for these words, these people, these ways of life that I have had the misfortune to watch die, in one way or another, as each essay, interview and poem went to print.

Indian Country is no longer the dusty road to lodge I met nearly 30 years ago. When I trekked from Pittsburgh, Pa to the west. To Oregon. To Coos Bay and Seven Devil's Road. Oh no. This is not the same world for any of us. But ride that bus, I did. I must. I must not bury the stories away. That is what the dream explained. I must have the courage I had when, with my 7 year old daughter, I packed an old army navy, heavy green canvas bag and boarded the greyhound to start a new life in the west. In 1981. I must have the courage to simply tell the stories. Of how Indian Country has died for me and how it brought me life.

For so long a time.

I am not afraid to say as a hippie, finding the Indians was the next best thing to living on a commune in Vermont, free school, vegetarian kitchen and all. Back in 1973. Yes. Indians were living connected when I met them. And our lives intersected. A sweat lodge I went into, not long after Freedom of Religion, signed by Jimmy Carter in 1978, gave me this story today. Up near Pilot Rock in Southern Oregon, before the horribly controversial SunDances of that land, up there Wallace Black Elk told my pregnant with second baby self, when he could see I was ready to drive away in my 1960 volvo rather than ask him for healing sweat for my baby's arrival. Wallace saw my trepidation, my white shy silly girl look, or something. Because before I drove away he came to my car and said "we are glad you are all here. there are prophecies about all this. A time would come when the ancestors of those who killed our people would arrive. Their children would help roll back the carpet of blood which covered this land. It rolled out from east to west. The prophecy said you would come. And help. Roll back the bleeding Earth, back from the west, back to the east. That you would come here, to the west."

Not we shall be released. More like listen and become. Wallace Black Elk continued: "And we are all four nations. All four colors of skin. Come to live together here. Your coming here today makes us feel the prophecies are ready. We are all here. Red, yellow, white, black". Wallace said that, and a few years later Corbin Harney gave me the same story. Like that. I know. Perhaps passé these days, but true. Wallace Black Elk had me, like Rene Zellwiger in Jerry Maguire. He had me at hello.

All that was a long time ago.

And today Indian Country is more like there are triplet strip malls where nasturtiums used to grown. Wild. It is not. Paved is not. A place I stop, I visit, I take to. It is not the barefoot place of my youth. Nor the feast of giveaways inside my middle years. Indian Country is an old growth clear cut for government roads. And I shall do my best to, no, not plant trees. But to stretch into multi dimensional realities, hand you a kaleidoscope and cut the frayed tethered rope which harnesses a past which is neither glorious nor gone. Neither lost nor fruitless. Neither hapless nor pranna for nirvana. It is a dream. I share with you. One which has many endings. And is not defined by beginnings. It is a dream which sings a song from other worlds. Welcome. As I tell it I travel the place of bronzed flower revivals. Whether or not my feet are scorched by the asphalt of a parking lot where once a ceremony fell, like shooting stars, from a sky into a lake. Inside a desert wired for sound by birds who warble night.

Here find interviews, essays and stories which re-present Indian Country as I found it. When I arrived. Indian Country as it comes to me still, In dreams. Renegades. Founding members of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Men and women who ran weapons to defend the right to sing and drum. Women and men who died in that fight. They once became my friends. And now. Some children have grown to burn books written by hippies who once tasted the same desert rain. As they. Now. Dreams. Are where we really live.

antoinette nora claypoole

Redlands, Ca. April 2008

Nottingham, New Hampshire

Nov. 2011

EXCERPT FROM PART THREE of Ghost Rider Roads

"Decades of Deceit" by antoinette nora claypoole

Jan. 24, 2011. An old hotel where "movie stars" have stayed, an Indian Reservation where women are still found frozen to death. A fancy bronze sculpture of an "Indian warrior". Bars and Courtrooms. That's Rapid City, South Dakota. In a line: a colonizer's town where the Indian Wars were never quite ended.

Today, after years of fighting Extradition from Canada for the murder of his friend Anna Mae Aquash, John Graham, for whom this blog was begun, faces sentencing in South Dakota State Court. He was found guilty in Dec. of "kidnapping leading to murder", found not guilty of pre-meditated murder. And sentenced, today, to "life in prison". His daughter, his friends and family have always believed his innocence. And today he spoke, after not having taken the witness stand during his trial.

According to witnesses, John Graham faced Anna Mae's daughters, in the courtroom today during sentencing. And explained. What had said to me in my interview with him. What his family and friends know. He never murdered Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. When I attended his 2005 extradition hearings in Vancouver, B.C., stayed at a "support house" in the city, I learned alot about John Graham, the love his people have for him, and about the man himself. A gentle demeanor, his was not accusation nor anger, vindictiveness nor hate. It was sorrow at having been targetted by people he considered his "friends".

"Once in the 80's", he told me in a funky coffee shoppe not far from where he checked into parole each day, " Once John Trudell and Dino Butler were facing some heat in the States. THey needed to hide out. I gave them a safe shelter here in B.C. until things cooled off. Why would Trudell turn on me?? And tell lies." Graham said this over coffee, in a near whisper. Perplexed. "I cared about him. He was my brother". Shaking his head, looking for the creamer as a distraction to the pain.

Trudell, in fact, had "identified" Graham for the FBI, and his statement was KEY in the extradition of John Graham. In Court, before I left back for the States, the Judge confirmed reliance on Trudell as key in the decision to uphold extradition. (search this blog and you'll find the details). And. What else COULD he do? The Federal Government has pathways to their version of truth. And taking their route is often, the only option out of the woods. Alive.

It is not only the loss of a father, activist and friend which has struck Vancouver, B.C. and White Horse Junction up in the Yukon, but also the deep scars of betrayal which were ripped open as not one old AIM person defended John Graham. With neither a statement nor a testimony, a letter or a song. In fact, when Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman was still alive, he HAD planned a great benefit/event in San Francisco for John Graham. That was during the Looking Cloud trial, back in 2004. Trudell was initially going to be there, with Floyd. But the day after i broke the news on KPFK Pacifica Radio, Westerman "cancelled" the event. When asked why he/Trudell claimed "it was just too controversial" to support John Graham.

Today, Graham's daughter Naneek, a strong and devoted woman, was quoted in the Rapid City Journal as standing by her father. Naturally. "Believing his innocence."

Anyone who has met John Graham, talked with him and considered the circumstances of his arrest stood with Naneek in that courtroom, awaiting another mandate by "justice". Graham's lawyer plans an appeal, Anna Mae daughters--their vendetta persisting-- continue to call for more indictments of old AIM they claim "ordered her murder". And I. Wonder at all the people I have met in the American Indian Movement over the past three decades. Feel all those I have known. Some dead. Many whom I have loved. I feel the heartbeat of lying as a way to save one's life. I read and re read the FBI affadavits about "Annie Mae Aquash" alive in Jan. 1976, a month after people claim Graham Killed her. I recall the first person who told me about Paula Giese, a friend to Annie Mae, how Paula saw Annie Mae after the date people say Graham killed her. And how Giese died, how Annie Mae's husband Nogeeshik died after "finding out who killed her".

John Graham Trial: Nov. 29-Dec. 10 2010

2010-11-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Justice Hangs A Vacancy Sign: : Graham's Guilty Verdict in Aquash Murder Trial
by antoinette nora claypoole

"....in the dream of the living predator arrives. out of the blues...a man calls to justice, justice lies.” --John Trudell, from "Out of the Blues"

Dec. 12, 2010. An old song found on youtube. Over and over. Playing on the Macbook while I wait for a jury in South Dakota to return to the courtroom with a verdict. On the murder of Anne Mae Pictou Aquash (1945-1975/6). John Trudell, former “chairperson” of the American Indian Movement (AIM), was Annie Mae’s friend: he and her lover Dennis Banks, were all an unrelenting, dynamic force to reckon with back then. Their legacy defies time.   The lyrics of “out of the blues” infinity, haunting. The words suit events in Indian Country today. As much as they did 30 years ago. When they were written. “A man calls to justice, justice lies”.

On Dec. 10, 2010, after nearly a decade of fighting a murder indictment scripted by the FBI, John Graham, a Canadian First Nations Man and young footsoldier for the (AIM) in 1975 , was found guilty of murdering his friend Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. He faces mandatory life in prison. The State of South Dakota claimed Graham killed her 35 years ago, to date, on/around Dec. 12, 1975. And the jury agreed. But there was no real evidence, just a myriad of change like the weather stories. And the atmosphere in Indian Country is deeply divided. By the verdict, the murder and the claims to truth everyone seems to own. Someone said to me just yesterday. Discompassionately. “Well it’s a cold case. What do you expect.” I replied. Defiantly. “There is nothing but heat in this case. Always has been.”

The efforts by the FBI to blame AIM via John Graham have been going on for over 20 years. Maybe longer. Nothing cold about that. Nearly since the time in Feb. 1976 when Annie Mae’s body was found, buried as “Jane Doe”. The first autopsy NOT disclosing cause of death as bullet to the head, rather “exposure” and closing the case. Only after family/friends insisted on exhuming her body was it found to be Annie Mae, and that she was shot, brutally. At that point. The FBI and Federal/State Prosecutors moved in on AIM, claiming they killed their own. Moving around the country like an old Buffalo Bill side show, from one old AIM member to another, the Feds have flaunted a “drawer of seal indictments ready to hand out” (Robert Mandell, Feb. 2004) to any lookey loo who challenges their rant. For years. The brutal truth is Annie Mae had discovered who had infiltrated AIM. And she was killed because of it. Some in the Movement thought it meant she was herself a "fed". But the real informants were threatened by her knowledge. From the onset the Feds “had” to protect their own. Just like they did and still do. In the high profile Leonard Peltier case.

Like Peltier, Graham was extradited from Canada on faulty “facts”. And though not as International in stature as Peltier, John Graham has a huge support network up North, in Canada. His close friend and long time supporter, Maureen Bourke, was understandably angry at the jury’s verdict. She pours out her heart: “I had a glimmer yesterday when the jury asked for clarification. Very briefly, did I believe, that John could come home.” Her belief in Justice, magical, painful, quashed.

The jury had deliberated 12 hours on the case, much longer than happened in the trial of another man, Arlo Looking Cloud, found guilty of Annie Mae’s murder back in 2004. But the Graham Defense rested suddenly without calling one witness—a surprise to many and a sign to some that the Jury, in the end, had no chance to counter the hours of stories they heard against Graham. From one to another, like a cast of folks auditioning for an old Redford flick, Graham was depicted as kidnapping and killing his friend. No physical evidence was provided in the trial. Only vague, variant stories told by “witnesses” who for the most part saw nothing. Marshall, who earlier this year was acquitted for his role in the Aquash murder. Did not want to take the stand. But was offered immunity. And thus had to. He said “no I never gave them a gun”. And then said “yes. They came to my house”. The stories are threads of a ragged map. With destination marked in a red X.   Provided by the Prosecutors. The script predictable. Then. There are “witnesses” who may have taken the road trip just to claim their 15 minutes of “fame”. That includes a woman named Candy Hamilton who chimed in again, just like she did at the Looking Cloud dog and pony show. This time she tried to win favor. According to Rapid City Journal reporter Heidi Bell Gease, at the prompting of the Prosecution, Hamilton said " yes the FBI was capable of setting an execution in motion". Okay? And so what does that have to do with Graham's guilt? It is Hamilton's way of trying to not look like a Fed, herself. Tired and old story, all of it.

The "fact" that Hamilton was “Annie Mae’s good friend” and she claims Graham intended to kill Annie Mae is just creepy. Because Hamilton conveniently never explained why she didn’t save Annie Mae’s life. If she knew what was going to happen “ at the hands of John Graham”. Hamilton’s testimony, like others, never mentions the stark, brutal fact: if they knew Annie Mae was going to be killed by Graham, why didn’t someone stop him? Why wasn’t Annie Mae protected?   But that is assuming Graham was guilty. His innocence would explain a lot.

Graham claims he did not kill Annie Mae. Quite clearly Graham admitted via a 2004 interview which found me in FBI stew. He admitted that he DID pick up Annie Mae in Denver, just as the Prosecution claims. BUT Graham says he went to “Troy Lyn’s” house to get Annie Mae because she asked him for protection. She wanted to get out of a place she believed was swarming with Fed informants. Graham says he took her to a safe house in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. A house of her choosing. And never saw her again. Prosecutor Oswald said in the Graham trial, the alibi is “just plain stupid”. But apparently he himself never had to find a place to run, a place to hide.

Graham’s innocence would explain a lot about the shreds of shrapnel which live inside those of us. Who have been inside this quest for resolve. For so long.

Graham’s version of what happened in Dec. 1975 runs deep inside of me. It becomes a haunting. Perpetual freaky. Apparitions based on an interview I can’t forget. I did. With an Aquash family member, back in the early 90’s. I found a relative of Nogeeshik Aquash, Annie’s Mae’s husband. This was long before Graham, public indictments, Indian newspaper timelines and Fed trials had emerged. The “ Aquash Man” I’ll call him, was one of the few who would talk with me about Annie Mae back then.

I asked my simple, standard interview questions: “can you tell me a good Annie Mae Story? Something about her you remember. And when was the last time you saw her” Aquash man was happy to oblige. “Last time I saw my auntie was “Christmas, 1975. It was great to see her...she was always good to be around.” When the timeline and indictments came down. I was haunted by the remembering of this Christmas Story. He claimed to have been with Annie Mae two weeks AFTER Graham is said to have shot her.

Graham’s claim to innocence also explains something else.

The FBI reports from Jan. 1976 which explain seeing Annie Mae in Oklahoma. They even describe what she was wearing. Those documents were explained to me by Robert Robideau, before he passed: “ It was an FBI error antoinette. The Feds got the reports mixed up with ‘another Annie Mae’ who was running around Indian Country then”.

With the verdict of Guilty some are still asking: Was Graham the killer??? And I am still asking. What about people who saw her alive after the supposed shooting? All we have. Is Looking Cloud. So. Did he really stand by and watch, as he testified in his changes like the weather story of it all? The story that in the end, convicted his friend John Graham.

Barry Bachrach, Looking Cloud’s current lawyer came to the case in 2008. Long after Looking Cloud's trial and sentencing. But. As a former lawyer for Leonard Peltier Bachrach is familiar with old AIM days. Bachrach believes that in the Graham trial “Yes. Justice was served." He naturally believes his client's story was true. Despite the contradictions that can be found by reading various statements Looking Cloud has made over the years. Including one statement during his appeal in which Looking Cloud, via his attorney at the time, Terry Gilbert, apparently claimed he would not testify at Graham's trial. Because the events did not happen. But that was before Bachrach arrived on the scene. Bachrach explains: “Mr. Graham knows what he did and he knows the truth. Others know what they did. In one sense, you are correct that justice has not been fully served because there were so many people involved...”.

Who are these people?
Are they the AIM informants who Annie Mae had discovered while she was in jail in the Northwest, right before she “went missing”???

This guilty verdict creates more quakes in Indian Country than it does resolve. As people know how much power Big Brother has. To control “reality”. Indians have always known what the “Great White Father” does. Monica Charles old AIM activist who knew Annie Mae, continues, like so much of Indian Country, to try to make sense of the events surrounding her death. Charles, in her statement regarding the Arlo Looking Cloud testimony that sealed Graham’s fate says it straight: “ Did his lawyer ever ask Arlo about the torture he suffered at the hands of the Amerikan Just Us system? I still believe in Arlo's innocence as I believe in John's innocence. Arlo is in my prayers every day. I saw the FBI in their paramilitary uniforms packing rifles, bullying, bullying, bullying.

They dragged People out of their cars and interrogated them without a lawyer present.”

This. Then. From my book about Annie Mae. After 20 years of covering this story. It still plays: “I try to explain. Blame game’s not my thing. The mystery of Annie Mae’s death, who pulled the trigger matters as much as who set the execution in motion. Addicted to power, people want eyes for eyes, like that’s some kind of anecdote to fear. But like freaked out kids once stuck on a short circuit tilt-a-whirl you are frantic to forget and I say you got no choice. Remembering helps you decide. Which ride you’ll go on next...”

annie mae and her daughters, circa 1974

The old Trudell song is still playing. “In the dream of the living, predator arrives, out of the blues”. And Graham supporter Maureen Bourke insists: “I am so angry, we are angry, and we are not going away. There will be an appeal”. Like the old music, the old legends and memories of Wild West sideshows. None of this is going away. Anytime soon. Annie Mae’s family may have imagined resolve with this conviction. Yet. It seems an unlikely promise. As Graham has family too. And the people who set this brutal mess in motion. Are still walking free.

OPENING DAY RANT:

Nov. 28. Ashland, Or. In Rapid City, S.D. the jury selection in John Graham trial. Graham is one of the accused murderers of Anna Mae Aquash, an American Indian Movement warrior who "disappeared" 35 years ago this week. Her body was found at Pine Ridge, S.D. in Feb. 1976: dead via execution. Graham and others were said to have killed her on/around Dec. 12, 1975. But look closely at the quote below, from an FBI report. As the trial begins, it is important to review the history of this case. And decide for yourselves. The truth of the lies. Please scroll to the end of this piece for many links to history/primary sources: letters, statements etc. Including. A letter by Annie Mae. She knew who the informants were in AIM. It is clear that her knowledge of their identity was, in the end, her demise.

excerpt from "Canaries in a Room of Crows"

by antoinette nora claypoole

“Pictou was wearing blue jeans, a red scarf, a long brown coat and moccasins” --FBI report, Feb. 12, 1976

History of Anna Mae

With this COINTELPRO road show. Let’s retrace the steps that lead us here.

It was over 20 years ago when I first heard her name, Anna Mae Aquash, here in the Pacific Northwest. Almost ten years after she had been executed. And only a couple years after stumbling into Indian Country. I remember the night vividly.

Her name didn’t come easily. It wasn’t spoken because people talked about Aquash as a heroine, a warrior who helped Indian kids at the Red School house in Minneapolis. It wasn’t because of her courage in taking her young daughters to a political rally in Washington, D.C., the BIA takeover back in the early 70’s. It wasn’t even “hey Anna Mae” because someone was bragging about her work with the elders on Pine Ridge and her trying to help protect water rights and prevent uranium mining there inside the remote world of Indian Country, barren, poverty infested, warped history lessons of massacre, Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Bear Butte. Nope. It wasn’t for Anna Mae’s courage and bravado, like she was someone Marlon Brando woulda starred against if he’d had the chance.

Nope. I heard about Anna Mae Aquash because people said, quietly, “Yes she was with AIM. But we think she was a snitch, that’s why she was killed”. I spend 10 years researching her life, death and friends to prove them wrong. She was not a fed, but was set-up by the FBI to appear as a threat. To AIM.

In many ways the hands of time have been pushed back by the grown daughters, the dead activists, the young children and dying elders. All speaking in harmonic wails of fright. Who killed Annie Mae? Many journalists, Michael Donnelly, Rex Wyler, many writers Steve Hendricks and Serle Chapman, famous UK writer who recently (summer 08) is alleged to have been working as a “federal informant.” This according to court documents filed on behalf of John Graham in August. Located on Pacer.

All these people have done their time. Asking questions. Serving justice. Working for the Feds. Writing stories. About “who killed annie mae”. But me? My mind, my fingers are on my own pulse, still alive, I say.

My eyes drift like a death walk. Back into the heartbeat of a Pacific Northwest audience. An event myself and local activists organized: “Apartheid in America”. One night that late winter weekend International Treaty Council person Tom LaBlanc brought an 8mm flick up from San Francisco. It was called “Brave Hearted Woman” and there I heard Annie Mae’s name. Saw her death in the eyes of all of us, like headlights on an Oregon highway which Robert Robideau still claims “did her in. That November (1975) bust here in Oregon was her death sentence, antoinette”.

Anna Mae’s execution went unnoticed, undiscussed by federal authorities AND AIM activists. For nearly 20 years. And then something happened.

Branscombe Searching for Killers

Her second cousin, Robert Pictou Branscombe was approached by “an agent of some kind” according to Branscombe, in an interview I did with him back in the mid 90’s. The “agent” came up to him at a pow wow in Arizona and said “look at this”.

It was a file, according to Branscombe, which had photos and details about Anna Mae. Branscombe had never heard of her and didn’t grasp the depth of what he had just fancy danced into. Death, murder, lies, secrets, brutal betrayal, lovers and friends colluding with paranoia that Anna Mae was an agent.

Branscombe talked to his mum. “Was she our relative?”

Yes was the answer he got. His mother and Annie Mae were cousins. And everyone back in Nova Scotia, at that time, was still afraid to talk about Annie Mae. Just like it was in MY part of the world. Silence the mantra. Branscombe broke the spell.

He searched, travelled and found people who talked about what happened to his cousin. When he came out with who he felt killed Anna Mae it began what is culminating in Rapid City this Fall, November 29th. John Graham, from the Yukon Territory, accused of murdering his friend.

But when Branscombe named Graham there were other names mentioned. Arlo Looking Cloud. Indicted, found guilty after a 3 1/2 day trial in 2004. Then came DIckie Marshall. He was acquitted this past Spring, 2010. Lastly, Thelma RIos, who just three weeks ago (October 2010) "confessed" and then was set free. Her "confession" will certainly be part of the upcoming trial and perhaps become the reason other "Old AIM" may, STILL, be indicted. In 2004 the Prosecutors told me that " other indictments are in a drawer" waiting to be delivered.

There were “5 or 6 of you” Branscombe said in a public statement published on the web pages of Jordan S. Dill. Back in the late 90’s. And Branscombe claimed some of them were agents who his cousin had discovered as feds. Back then there was even talk of “another Anna Mae”, an imposter, who may have been stirring paranoia about Aquash by posing as a friendly to the FBI.

Serle Chapman, UK writer turns “State”

Fast Forward, back to now.

Dennis Bank's wife at the time of Aquash's murder, Kamook Banks, turned state, a shock revealled back during the Looking Cloud trial, 2004. People were stunned as this "warrior" from the old days turns out to be wiring herself to record conversastions with her former husband, Dennis Banks. A marriage of activists as snitches was made public. With another player making his debut the summer of 2009. Serle Chapman, best known for writing "Indian Books" with interviews, introductions to his books written by John Trudell and Dennis Banks. Chapman is revealled, in the summer of 2009, to be working for the FBI as an undercover agent. For the past six years, or more he fooled alot of Indians and old AIM. It is unclear who actually knew his true identity. John Trudell did testify in the Looking Cloud trial to knowing about "Neil" Serle Champman. In what capacity, it is hard to know. The upcoming Graham trial will make this clear, that is a certainty. As Chapman is said to have "recorded" Graham admitting his role in Aquash's death. The recording was never authenticated but was given to an AP writer who wrote a piece picked up by the New York Times. Back in 2004. He claims Graham confessed. But, as I say, the tape was not authenticated. Expect that "fact" to be discussed as part of key evidence against Graham in the next three weeks.

Under the guise of finding Aquash’s murderer, paid informants in this case make a New York parade on Thanksgiving Day look lean. A Revolution against the Brits “aint seen nothing yet”. For as UK author Serle Chapman, who now lives in S. Dakota, is added to the informant “co-operating witness” list, one has to wonder “who is next”. Certainly Thelma Rios will be likely to name names. Who elses rise as informant. Soon to be revealled. But let's look at the Chapman factor.

Chapman was paid by the U.S. Government after “cooperating” with their investigation, receiving over $70,000, according to online, Pacer docket files. From August 08 in the U.S. vs John Graham. Posing as a writer and friend to Indians. Taping interviews which Chapman would later turn over to federal prosecutors.Items which may possibly include a “secret”, mystery tape originally circulated about the Graham case a few years back. A recording of Graham which some speculate may have been conducted by Chapman in Canada before Graham was extradited in 2007. This all according to a quiet, piercing buzz in Indian Country.

Chapman had many people believing he was “just a writer”. Including controversial prosecution witness, one time friend to Anna Mae and former Chairman of AIM, John Trudell. Trudell wrote a book introduction for one of Chapman’s projects which places the old AIM figure into a less than poetic chapter of “colluding with the enemy”. Or did he innocently, as so many other of Chapman’s fans, “get taken in” by feeling important enough to have a white guy from Europe want to “tell your story”?? Hard to tell. Still.

Hitherto a poster child for Indian Country, Chapman, best known for a myriad of popular “Indian books” has a rather huge role in all this. Aug. 08 court documents filed by the Defense, and response by the courts (Sept. 08) confirm receipt of funds by Chapman from the U.S. Government, for at best “being a paid informant”, at least “co-operating with the Prosecution”. A decision regarding details of his role was handed down by the court on Sept. 4, 08 and another, sealed from public viewing, on Sept. 8th. And the quest for more witness continues.

Freelance writers not immune, an offer made to me by the Prosecution in July 08 was far less exotic. “Tell your lawyer to talk to me if she needs money”. I politely refused but was told “Don’t worry, all the other journalists we contacted are co-operating”. Finding an attorney is less spendy than life as a betrayer of civil liberties. As journalists we are still able--in theory-- to secure our sources, sanity and neutrality. In fact, this doesn't come without a series of random events, akin to small pox blankets. A story best left for another news clip.

But maybe there’s a reason for all this. Perhaps the quest for “new witnesses” comes because there are still others unnamed in the investigations, events which lead to Aquash’s execution which are begging to be known. And. Like Professor Plum in the library being nuked inside a mushroom cloud. Holding a lit candlestick to time illuminates little of the brutal mystery.

Faulty FBI Files: Anna Mae alive in 1976?

From all corners of this brutal murder, the indictments--including the recent Thelma Rios "confession" -and claims of innocence fail to convince. Why? Because missing in all the attempts to resolve and wrap murder in a post-colonial blanket of truth is a failure to address inconsistencies in FBI files. And the chilling fact that Federal investigations have employed “snitches” and continue to offer revenue to informants who “cooperate” . With that, claims to justice appear less than operant.

Specifically because varied realities about Aquash, where she was seen (or not), who killed her and why, continue to defy the ravages of time.

There are defense and prosecution teams who pursue justice and desire resolve in this case, yet what is emerging in 2008 Rapid City, S. Dakota are a series of events and court documents which sometimes contradict, oftentimes blur the clear path to truth.

That is, a weave around the murder theory which might be fraying.

And. Yes. There is more to the story. As a Leonard Peltier support organizer, Els from a popular Indian e-newlist says “If we wrote this and gave the script to Hollywood they’d never buy it. They’d say the whole thing’s too far fetched”.

In Aug.2008 the defense for John Graham, John Murphy of Rapid City, S. Dakota, made surprising court requests. It appears Murphy has filed request pertaining to it’s knowledge that an FBI file written in Feb. 1976 claims that Annie Mae Aquash was seen alive two months after Graham is alleged to have killer her. “Wearing blue jeans.....and moccasins” somewhere on Pine Ridge. In Feb. 1976.

Why is this important?

The obvious. Because John Graham is accused of killing Annie Mae before Christmas, 1975 and various, unauthenticated FBI reports claim what appears to be multiple Annie Mae sightings weeks AFTER Aquash was supposedly shot and killed, on Dec. 12, 1975 by Graham.

It’s not the first time the “Annie Mae alive” theory has been spun, but the first time a legal team has taken the words and dressed them in defense of the accused.

“Pictou was wearing blue jeans, a red scarf, a long brown coat and moccasins”, from an FBI memorandum sent on Feb. 19, 1976. Two months to the day. After the alleged Aquash murder. I have to keep saying that. Over and over. Wrapping myself, us, around the new spin. Reading these scanned pages I finally stop. A pause, a prayer for all the times Aquash and others were, have been, watched and detailed. The tattoo on a shoulder, the nuance of slinging burgers, all become sentences which document our lives. Through the eyes of spies.

The agent listed at the top of scanned, aging and faded page in a PDF bleeds through. Special Agent. David Price. Appears. To have written about the blue jean Annie Mae sighting. From a source who remains anonymous, per FBI policy to redact (withhold) names. Despite efforts by the Graham Defense to have the name released per prior legal cases where are sources are not “unequivocally” protected, a ruling by Judge Duffy on Sept. 4, 2008 dismissed the FBI file as “a mistake” that is proven by Aquash’s “decomposed body”. Yet, 1976 coroner reports she was “partially decomposed” and suggested Aquash was exposed for 7-10 days. Before being found. That would put her ALIVE on Feb. 12, 1976. If we believe the faulty coroner.

The Sept. 08 ruling to keep “secret” the one witness who might help Graham in his defense is a blow. To the matrix of all who want justice. If it was a mistake, let the informer explain to us. To a jury. Why not? The ruling perplexes. The judge’s disregard for the government’s own reporting and file keeping is less suspicious than it is revealing. Nothing is what it seems and reports are only true if the court favors their content. Perhaps. Still. The questions linger.

Who was the informant?

And why didn’t anyone, including Price, mention this in Looking Cloud’s trial? I wonder out loud. No worries about secrets. Price, an FBI agent who allegedly threatened Annie Mae before she was killed was also the infamous sole ominous “witness for the defense” in that Feb. 04 murder trial.

Price. A man described by Robideau as “Little Custer”.....who wrote the three Poor Bear affidavits used to extradite LP {Leonard Peltier} back to the U.S.... that the Government later admits were fabricated..... should we believe his reports now?”

Robideau’s rant is adamant and he answers his own question. Yet. There are more.

Fragments of files attempting to confirm this bizarre turn. Arrive. Via Robideau. Teletyped reports claiming Aquash alive was a mistake. But for other reasons Another sighting her in a mustang. Filed by unnamed informants in and around AIM. 1976. Sent out to Portland, Denver, Rapid City. Unauthenticated, they nonetheless create dust devils in a prairie of cisterns. The vague oasis blurred.

When seen in teletype, though, something still takes hold; “Anna Mae Aquash....January 28, 1976 driving en route Tulsa. Oklahoma, in white over red 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix....vehicle reportedly owned by Aquash...she is former wife of (name deleted) who is reportedly in Oklahoma City Territory at present time and she may be planning to meet him”.

Can the intersection of past and present get more complex? You bet.

Branscombe and his “5 or 6 of you” proclamation. Comes to mind. And. The early ’76, “other Annie Mae” theory. Running around Indian Country. An imposter? A coincidence that another AIM activist had the same first name, Anna Mae?

An email from someone who doesn’t want his name in print, asking to remain anonymous gets into the frayed fabric of deception: “There is Anna Mae Tanaquodle in Oklahoma who was originally thought to be Aquash until the FBI interviewed her. It was this “other Annie Mae” who was around confusing people”. This is sent my way to “prove” it would seem, that any Annie Mae sighting can be explained by the Oklahoma, potential informant/imposter “Anna Mae” working at Fitzgerald’s Place.

The Other Annie Mae

A blown tire in this road trip lets no one get to be who they say they are. The questions persist.

Was this “other Annie Mae” a federal agent? Was it really HER that the FBI says was driving mustang, a grand prix, going to see her husband? Was the “other Annie Mae” intentionally targetting Aquash as fed, impersonating, with an FBI alliance which would cost Aquash her life? Or was Aquash still alive and the tag you’re it game was in play?

Though most in Indian Country confirm a packet of extensive, authenticated FBI records exist. Others believe that the whole thing is a sideshow.

The documents by the Defense which mention Annie Mae alive are “razzle, dazzle. Nothing but bullshit” Robideau explains as though he we offering a closing statement back in the day. “This is nothing but creative writing on the part of the defense” Robideau reads the riot act about it all. And believes that the Marshall arrest is less historic than canarylike—“All we needed was someone else to name Graham.....even if Looking Cloud doesn’t talk, again, we have Marshall now”. And they wouldn’t have Marshall, without Looking Cloud, according to a source close to the case who explains that Looking Cloud left jail to talk at a recent grand jury in Sioux Falls. Perhaps.

Ragged FBI teletype once again arrests the spin. “....Individual thought to be subject Aquash in reality Tulsa AIM activist”, reported on Feb. 19, 1976 in those raggedy ass scanned papers.

Trying to authenticate the files sent to me, random pages of "Anna Mae sightings" , I contact Michael Kuzma, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) attorney for Leonard Peltier. After a visit to Peltier in Pa. prison, late Aug. 08, Kuzma reviews the copies: "some of these files are tampered with, unauthentic. Look at the typeface on one of these pages, for instance. And what are those page numbers. Those don’t exist on FBI files”. With eyes like a redtail hawk hovering over an interstate of hungry commuters, Kuzma can neither locate "originals" in his personal files of "resmurs" which includes Aquash documents, nor does he believe the copies I have are necessarily authentic.

Maybe someone wants me to believe things that aren't true. There's a novel idea. People trying to force feed me a story.

“Wowsie, haven’t been here before, right?” I lie.

We both laugh nervously. We talk of the difficulty, the brutal fact that truth is elusive in his profession. A mere reflection of pandemic imperfection in the human condition. I sort through the stacks of questions on my laptop PDF’s. And wish I had a way to rewrite time.

Perhaps the FBI files were sent because many in Indian Country have a very clear agenda. We’ll just leave it at that.

It’s true. Many in Indian Country are staunch believers that Graham murdered Annie Mae, that Graham pulled the trigger in Dec. 1975. It’s true. That Robideau is not alone. In his belief that “Graham is finished”. Quite definitively. Most everyone I have spoken with in the 5 years--since early indictments were handed down--most everyone I talk with believes Graham raped and killed his friend. Anna Mae Aquash.

Yet. Graham’s defense, in soliciting for DNA testing (per the rape accusation) and in unearthing an FBI Annie Mae sighting long after she was supposed to be dead. Graham defense defied, for a moment, the ghost of imagination.

For even as Graham supporter Matthew Lien, back in 2006 called for “anyone who saw Annie Mae at Christmas time, 1975, please contact us” I suddenly remembered an eerie sighting myself. Something about a “Paula Giese” website. That was sent to me when I first started writing my book for Annie Mae, to break the warped silence about her life. The early 1990’s website was supposed stories about “Annie Mae’s last Christmas” 1975.

Many times I have been told, sometimes I have been threatened and most times I had ear muffs on. “Don’t talk about the timeline, antoinette”. More than one hardy seasoned character talked to me like this.

As the trial is only 6 weeks away, I wonder what kind of sound proof rooms the defense has.

And am even more curious about “the other Annie Mae” documents and how they may, or may not, surface to deafen more muted ears.

That is, as I write this inside my own quest for neutrality and civil liberties of writers, there is an imagining that the frayed weave of “truth” be challenged. To reinvent itself as a warm blanket, wrapping murder tightly into the psyches of everyone who knows what happened. And can never tell.

John Graham circa 2006

Heroes and Snitches

This game of informants in a Movement is being played not only within Indian Country but as a green show. For an entire new generation of activists who may watch in awe as the Federal Government continues to drag up people from the past. Who are expected to be like singing canaries in a room full of crows. No one is shocked. Indians always seems to get the small pox blankets before the rest. “It always happens first Indian Country” the old guys used to say.

Finding, indicting, arresting and convicting. Still. The resolve to actually grasp the events which surrounded the murder of Anna Mae Aquash continue to remain elusive. The successful quest for “new witnesses” promises even more work for the Defense, and potentially more paid “informant” testimonies for the Prosecution. Quite a plethora of needs. The case, nonetheless, continues to serve various camps who either want to see AIM take the rap for Aquash’s death or have a need to hide facts about paid informants who may have silenced her. Because she “knew too much” as both her cousin Branscombe and friend Trudell used to tout.

Maybe Ben Carnes, an AIM activist from Colorado says it best, in a recent piece he wrote for Leonard Peltier:

“In the Aquash case, it seems strange that all of a sudden the Justice Department and FBI are being cast as heroes in solving the case.....if Graham is convicted, then will the case be over for Indians? Will "justice" be served on a plate of BS and greedily devoured by anti-AIMers and the media?”

The verdict is not in on either front. Though it doesn’t take a political historian or a collection of fries in a happy meal. To guess. That none of this will be over anytime soon.

The Graham trial, now scheduled for October 6, 2008 in Rapid City, S. Dakota, may do what so many quests accomplish. Frame the questions in ways that answers are inconceivable to fathom. To renounce or embrace. The summer of love is long gone. Or, maybe it’s like an old Indian guy once told me “sometimes you White people ask too many questions. Just watch. The things around you. You’ll learn alot that way”.

And then there’s that ominous anonymous email I received the day before the Marshall arrest “it ain’t over after Graham”.

The beat goes on is all I could reply.

Sources:

2008 antoinette claypoole Interview with Robert Robideau (RIP)
Ben Carnes quotes used w/permission by author.

1. Court Documents and Rulings in the U.S. vs John Graham: Aug., Sept. 08
www.grahamdocuments.blogspot.com

2. PACER: Federal Court Docket
http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/

3. antoinette nora claypoole: contacted by the FBI, statement re Journalism Civil Liberties: Aug. 08
www.johngrahaminterview.blogspot.com

4. History of this Case 2003-present: blog index
http://antoinetteclaypoole.blogspot.com/2007/12/thursday-dec_07.html

5. "The Border Crossing of John Graham" hEyOka magazine
Extradition of JOHN GRAHAM: Dec. 07
http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.10.JohnGraham.1.htm

6.New indictments/acquital: old AIM and Annie Mae Murder 2010

7. Looking CLoud Trial/John Trudell testimony: AUDIO: PACIFICA RADIO BROADCAST ARCHIVE from Looking Cloud Trial: antoinette, 2. 03
http://heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.9.Antoinetteclaypoole.ArloTrial.htm

8. Looking Cloud Trial/Kamook Banks informant testimony:
www.lookingcloudpieces.blogspot.com

9. Graham Defense Committee: Annie Mae alive at Christmas: spring 06
http://antoinetteclaypoole.blogspot.com/2006/08/annie-mae-alive-at-christmas-1975.html

10. Statements from Annie Mae’s family: 05, 07
http://anniemaefamily.blogspot.com/

11. Serle Chapman/"Dickie Marshall" updates: 2010
http://antoinetteclaypoole.blogspot.com/2010/04/marshall-acquitted-in-anna-mae-murder.html

find some history click here..

more history (blog index)

and

FBI documents

notes about Graham case

about Annie Mae's Murder
antoinette's Interview with John Graham (2004)
antoinette's Interview with Vernon Bellecourt (2000)

article about INFORMANTS:
Serle Chapman and Kamook Banks

notes about "the other Annie Mae"
(scroll down about 1/2 into the article)

AUTHOR BIO
antoinette nora claypoole bio/WORK: current/past
http://www.antoinettewritings.blogspot.com

John Graham Trial ....sometime soon??

2010-10-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

Thirty Five Year Lies by antoinette nora claypoole

Oct. 17 2010. Ashfield, Mass. Inside the hands of time fate holds lives captive. Especially when a world out of balance turns away from the heartbeat of Earth, when a world stricken with greed perceives love as something to dominate.

"Oregon Bust, 1975

Thirty five years ago this month, in fall 1975, Anna Mae Aquash was part of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a key brave woman. Proudly part of a wild time in history. When people were in the midst of reclaiming being "Indian". A dangerous road to travel. She was part of the "Banks" gang at the time, hiding out in Oregon/Washington State, preparing an action with AIM to protest at all the bicentennial celebrations that were being planned around America for July 1976. The idea was to remind the cities and towns around this country that First Nations people had some treaties that needed to be honored. But I wasn't there. It would be best to hear from Dennis Banks or LoudHawk or even Leonard Peltier...what were those plans and how far out as we used to say were they going to be...

We can't ask Annie Mae, even though she was part of the organizing group, because three weeks after being busted in Oregon---along with Dennis Bank's wife, Kamook, who later was found to be an informant for the U.S. Government --Annie Mae "went missing".

Most everyone in Indian Country by now, knows this story. She was released without bail after showing up for a court hearing in Pierre, S. Dakota in Nov. 1975 and many people who loved her never saw her again. She went to Denver and stayed in a "safe house" with AIM friends. And then something went dark. Broken windows back of a van over the edge. Sometime in the next three months she was murdered. And John Graham, held in a prison in Rapid City, S.Dakota, extradited from Canada nearly three years ago, is facing charges that he murdered his friend, Annie Mae.

According to John Graham in an interview I did with him after the Arlo Looking Cloud trial---another man indicted and sentenced to life for Annie Mae's murder---Graham explains he got a call from Annie Mae "she needed help" when she was in Denver. She didn't feel safe in that sketchy house and wanted to get out. Annie Mae knew federal agents had threatened her life. She felt like they were there. In Denver. Maybe even at the house. She was probably right.

Graham agreed.
He picked her up and drove her North.

This much is true.

What happened after that is an awful, brutal mystery to some, while others feel they "know the facts".

Graham has said repeatedly that he dropped Annie Mae off at another 'safe house' in S. Dakota, on the rez. That he never saw her again. Many other people, including the FBI and Federal Agents who threatened her life, say that Graham took her to cold dark butte and shot her. On the orders of "old AIM". He has always said that's just not true. Despite the "mystery" tape recording. It emerged after the Looking Cloud trial and claims hold to a "confession" by Graham.

The courts recently released some, but not all, information about that tape.

It was part of the undercover work being done by yes. Another informant, friend of Kamook Banks aka Darlene Ecoffey. This time the informant was Serle Chapman. He had quite a following of the old AIM guys in the 90's. Posing as a "writer" of Indian books, which he did with quite a flair, Chapman was at one point considered (and may still be) the prosecution's "star" player against Graham. Based on a tape Chapman is said to have recorded when "talking with" John Graham. A tape no one authenticated. Chapman may still be their stellar poster child. A man posing as a friendly to indians, working for the feds. That's an old billboard sign.

And yet. There has never been a weapon found. There are no witnesses other than Looking Cloud, whose story changes like the weather in the badlands on a "good day". There is nothing the Feds have to go on with their claim against Graham except a threadbare yarn, a story told over and over in different ways to different people, by Arlo Looking Cloud.

WHen Graham's trial begins people will hear statements from "witnesses". Some of them have been offered and given immunity from the Federal Government. That is, they testify against Graham and the Feds promised not to indict THEM for Annie Mae's murder. Everyone in AIM back then was suspect. At one time or another. That is, the Feds have claimed all along that they can indict any number of people, Robert Mandall U. S. Attorney shared that with me in a small interview I did with him a few years back. So. At Graham's trial there will be people who claim they know this and that about Annie Mae's murder. Their stories emerge from Looking CLoud and the "investigation" done by Paul Demain and News From Indian Country. But the stories don't involve anything but hearsay. She said they said she did say he killed her.

As the trial looms, the 35 years since Annie Mae went "missing" pushes into our psyches. THose of close us to this case, this history, over the years, know there will never be "resolve" in Annie Mae's murder. And that John Graham defied the Feds when they threatened him "you tell us names of old AIM who killed her or we will claim YOU did it". He took the chance at telling his truth. And now goes to trial. Despite the fact that there are FBI communiques which emerged stating "Anna Mae Aquash" seen in Oklahoma, Jan. 1976, weeks after she was said to have been murdered by Graham.

If this trial is anything like Looking Cloud's there will be a cast of characters which would make a Redford movie jealous.

They will all testify "for the prosecution" because the feds have their ways of threatening people and sending out subpoena's. As this whole dog and pony show--as Russell Means described the Looking Cloud mess--goes forward, remembering Annie Mae is the best thing some of us can do.

She was murdered. Someone claiming to be AIM was posing as an informant in AIM.

Annie Mae had discovered who they were. While she was in Oregon, in that "mobile home" bust 35 Autumns ago. Is it any surprise that a few weeks after she writes a letter to John Trudell that she has discovered who the informants are, she goes "missing". Is hiding out, worried for her life. Whoever those agents were, I would imagine that at least one of them is still walking around out there in the world.

S/he will probably never be held accountable for Annie Mae's murder.

While John Graham-- who was a young man from Canada when he met Annie Mae and claims she taught him "so much about the old ways"--has fought. And taken all the heat for this murder.

Yes. Protection for he, his family. And Anna Mae's People.

Remembering Annie Mae, her courage and strength, her "attitude" as Trudell once called it to me. Remembering what she knew. Remembering the people who hated AIM, who planned killings on Pine Ridge, who threatened Annie Mae with her life. These same people just might not be trusted to conduct a "fair trial" and actually tell the truth about her murder. That is something her husband Nogeeshik Aquash believed he had figured out. The day before HE died msyteriously. The story, the murders, the brutal loathing the U.S. Government has had for First Nations is ugly, twisted and persists.

photo of Anne Mae

by Anne Pearse Hocking

at Seige of Wounded Knee, 1973, on her wedding day ...

find some history click here..

more history (blog index)

and

FBI documents

notes about Graham case

Marshall acquitted in Anna Mae murder Trial

2010-04-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

April 22, 2010. Richard "Dickie" Marshall found NOT GUILTY in murder charges in the killing of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. The murder trials have become, over the years, more an indictment of the American Indian Movement, than any one "murderer".

After only 2 hours of deliberation the jury found Marshall not guilty. Despite the efforts of Arlo Looking Cloud (convicted of Aquash murder), paid informant UK Author Serle Chapman and many others, to finger Marshall as the "gun" man, Marshall was freed.

Looking Cloud's story about what happened to Anna Mae has changed MANY times over the years. He never took the stand in his own trial, and was/is expected to testify as a "key" prosecution witness for the upcoming John Graham trial in July 2010. Graham is accused of pulling the trigger in the execution of Aquash.

Today's verdict could be a reflection of Looking Cloud's "word" about the murder as unreliable. The murder weapon was never found and Marshall's acquittal today tosses the truth as to what happened to Aquash into a continual, muddied reality.

FEDERAL CHARGES against John Graham dismissed (Feb. 2010): new state trial scheduled for July 2010

2010-04-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

posted by antoinette nora claypoole

Mini April 2010 Updates:

 CURRENT Anna Mae Murder Trial in Rapid City, S.D.  
CONNECT  watersongs@gmail.com

CURRENT TRIAL....April 17, 2010

in Rapid City, S.D. "Dickie" Richard Marshall, is on trial
in Federal Court, being charged with "giving the gun" that killed
Annie Mae, to the "killers". There was already one move to claim
mistrial because of the ways the prosecution is attempting to get
their "key" witness--convicted Arlo Looking Cloud--to explain why
his story keeps changing.

In testimony April 19th Looking Cloud claimed that he NEVER
told John Trudell details about what happened to Annie Mae Aquash.
That is a direct contradiction of testimony in 2004 when Trudell
was a KEY witness in the Looking Cloud trial: Trudell's testimony played a
crucial role in both convicting Looking Cloud AND extraditing John Graham
to the U.S. Trudell claimed Looking Cloud told him about Annie Mae's murder,
the details of her last hours alive. And now six years later Looking Cloud is
claiming "it's not true".

URGENT....

Serle Chapman, UK author, "paid informant" for FBI, testifes April 20th, 2010.

Please note: a man posing as friend to "Indian Country", a UK author named Serle Chapman, is now known to be a federal paid informant/undercover operant. He was affiliated with a group called the "IWJ", interviewed many key "players" in Indian Country and wrote MANY books "about Indians".

And. On Tuesday, April 20, 2010, Serle Chapman testified at the trial of Richard Marshall (accused of handing off the gun that killed Anna Mae Aquash) in Rapid City, S.D. Chapman was witness for the Prosecution and confirmed that he did in fact "secretly" record various members/friends of AIM and gave that information to FBI/federal investigators. (click here for Rapid City Journal, news article re: April 20th testimony).

For more info about Chapman as paid operant see court documents (click here) from summer 2008. Serle Chapman has written many books, conducted many interviews with key AIM folks, including Dennis Banks and John Trudell. Chapman's FBI status was NOT known at the time he befriended old AIM.

MORE DETAILS: In notes by a Rapid City Journal reporter Chapman's testimony is discussed. The reporter says Chapman's interviews, conducted as a "FED" were "not published." This is not entirely fact. Although Chapman did not publish his "final" Indian Country project, he DID publish SEVERAL books while infiltrating old AIM. He has an extensive book list as an agent. They include:
1. Promise: Bozeman's Trail To Destiny. by Serle L. Chapman (Hardcover - Nov. 30, 2004)PUBLISHED AFTER HE "interviewed" JOHN GRAHAM IN CANADA.
2. We, the People: Of Earth and Elders, Vol. II by Serle Chapman and President Bill Clinton (Paperback - Sept. 2001)
3. Of Earth and Elders: Visions and Voices from Native America by Serle L. Chapman (Paperback - Aug. 2002)
4. Of Earth and Elders, Visions and Voices from Native America by Serle Chapman; introduction by Dennis J. Banks; postscript by Bruce Ellison Chapman and illustrated; photos by author. (2000).

references:
history/Anna Mae letters

Rapid City Journal, April 2010

KPFK Radio broadcast from 2004 Looking Cloud Trial: antoinette claypoole 

written by antoinette nora claypoole

2009-09-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

history/Anna Mae letters

“Like Gold in those Black Hills”

Another Indictment in old AIM/Aquash murder: Graham trial date still uncertain

Sept. 11, 2009. A First Nations man is fasting in Washington D.C. to bring to light the continued persistence of “Native Americans” to gain “justice”—personified in the decades long case of Anishanabe political prisoner, Leonard Peltier. Ben Carnes. The man hoping to bring a dialogue of oppression into discussion with the Obama administration spends most of his time in the fight. One way or the other. This week has been more intense, and no different for him. Seeking truth in the choked mist. Health care smokescreens. That’s another story.

Ben Carnes explains, in response to recent denial of Peltier parole. And the reason he takes his life passages to the White House lawn: “We’ve been saying that we wanted to start a prairie fire of outrage to the Oval Office of the White House for Peltier, and now we have cause. Leonard Peltier should not have to spend one more birthday in prison for something the government admits they cannot prove.”

And Carnes isn’t alone. People around the world, from the Polish to WTO veterans of Seattle. Came together. This past week to ask for Peltier clemency. And begin a campaign to Obama and his "czars".

from "Open Fire" by Judy Gumbo Albert

the FBI agents shot at Oglala 1975

People who have followed the events of the American Indian Movement (AIM) with whom Peltier was a member and key security figure back in the early 1970’s, know how all this goes. Nothing is an accident. The fact that while Carnes was fasting, praying in Washington D.C. another old AIM member—Thelma Rios -- was indicted and sent to prison in Rapid City, S.D. is just no coincidence. Rios was a member of AIM and the "pie patrol" who attacked and threatended Anna Mae Aquash in the summer/fall of 1975 (from an interview with Vernon Bellecourt).

Back in the day. Rios was also married to David Hill, former Nat'l Spokesperson for Leonard Peltier Defense Committee for many years. Hill has been, over the years, named as Annie Mae's killer and called a "fed" by Rios and others in old AIM. But now passed away old friend of Hill's --Robert Robideau--always trusted Hill. "He's a good guy. He's my friend and the name calling isn't true" Robideau explained to me. A couple summers back. When the air was smacking of who's next on the list. I can still feel Bob's adamance.

So. Here we are now. Three members of old AIM being held in Pennington County Jail, South Dakota for the murder of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash (1945-1975/6). A murder which was never much mentioned--some in Indian Country feel--until certain people started getting information. About FBI complicity in her killing. But the FBI implications just never come up. Except in the Hill finger pointing. Which only ever serves to trivialize the brutal killing of Anna Mae.

On Sept. 10th, 2009 John Graham, a Canadian citizen and member of the S. Tutchone tribe of the Yukon Territory was indicted, with Rios, for the Aquash murder. This time by the State of South Dakota. Graham says he never did it. His is a complex case of fighting and losing extradition hearings, release from sentencing, reindictments, 8th Circuit Court rulings, overall. The U.S. Attorney is committed to being certain he never leaves jail. Aquash’s family, and others are grateful for this persistence. And. The death sentence. Which isn’t an option, would be welcome. The only hope is push for a life sentence. Many not interested in a mere old AIM penance.

No death for Graham, were he found guilty, was one of the only stipulations which Canada placed on their extradition of Graham back in 2007, after a long fought battle by he and his supporters. Would the Canadian government have extradited him if they had realized that U.S. Federal Courts, the folks soliciting Graham’s extradition, would have their jurisdiction challenged by laws. Created when the black hills were first considered "pay dirt".

A crime committed on an Indian "Reservation" is under federal law IF the people committing the crime are American Indian. This old law has created a complexing set of rulings for Graham, because both Aquash and Graham were/are not Americans. Tribal or not. Canadian citizenry makes U.S. Federal rule less than solid. A muddy slide over boundaries off the map. Have slapped attornies and judges alike. In this case. Strung together with the old mainfest destiny the laws just weren't clear. This, the short version of the complexities can be augmented by viewing the mountains of papers filed in court docket. Found at the Graham defense website. In the end U.S. Attorney Jackley was forced by rulings laid out by a Judge Piersol in South Dakota and upheld by the 8th Circuit Court in July, 2009.

Would Canada have handed Graham over, had they known all this? Hard to say.

But. When prosecution Jackley became aware that his case against Graham in Federal Court would be challenged and dominated by Jackley “proving”—per 8th Circuit ruling-- that Graham IS an Indian per American standards, the prosecution was relentless. They did what many, including Graham’s own attorney John Murphy expected. They pursued an indictment of John Graham in State Court.

Those indictments were handed down. And another member of AIM is in the stew. In a easy segue, U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley, Graham’s original Federal Prosecutor will try the case against Graham.

But how does that work?

Jackley was, “coincidentally”, sworn in just last week as the State of South Dakota’s “new” Attorney General. So he now has jurisdiction over all the Aquash cases on record. There are, apparently, laws which allow for prosecutors to work for both state and federal agencies and the prosecution has heralded these new indictments against Graham –which include the long speculated “rape” of Annie Mae Aquash--- as “...a cooperative effort that involves federal, state and local prosecutors to ultimately do what's right.”

The entire series of events in the pursuit of “who killed Annie Mae” is not a surprise. To most in Indian Country. Co-operation is not an operative word in the world of Indians in court.

Graham explained in an interview I did with him back in 2004 that he was visited by Federal Agents who demanded he “name names of old AIM leaders, including John Trudell” who killed Annie Mae. Or, according to Graham, he himself would be indicted. That part came true as Graham refused to do something he said he knew nothing about.

However. In 2004 Arlo Looking Cloud was convicted of her murder (hear audio clip from trial coverage). No surprise. This is the Looking Cloud, who this writer reported--per close source--as being expected “to turn witness AGAINST Graham” in the upcoming trials --a fact refuted by some in Indian County but nonetheless recently verified by the prosecution. Further, in 2004 the U.S. Attorney’s office in Rapid City confirmed to this writer that in fact “we have other indictments in a drawer, ready to hand out”. Based on statements made in the series of Grand Juries that continued up through this summer.

Now. That another old AIM member is indicted while Ben Carnes is asking for Peltier’s clemency. Is no surprise. It attempts to solidify and rationalize the recent denial of parole for Peltier.

Peltier and Aquash were part of the old AIM movement which succeeded in establishing the Indian Child Welfare Reform Act of 1978 (which made it illegal for Christian organizations to take Indian babies from their parents), and forced the hand of Pres. Jimmy Carter to sign the Freedom of Religion Act, establishing legal protection for First Nations people to pray in their own ways without threat of arrest. Only about 200 years overdue. Old AIM accomplished these kinds of human rights for First Nations.

And they were targeted by the FBI as “terrorists”, were infiltrated by informants (see Annie Mae's discovery on this--her letter from jail, 1975) and became members of the FBI’s most wanted list. The FBI files released in recent FOIA law suits prove this as fact. AIM continues to be on trial.

For John Graham it is a matter of when. Not if any more. His options were narrowed by the recent events.

As Washington D.C. is busy planning a mandate for health insurance “like car insurance” a mandate for all “working citizens” to pay big daddies for corporate drug company western medicine. The lives of the First Nations of this country continue to illuminate. What a government does to it’s people. From the words of that old Jackson Browne song we used to rant on the way to fight genocide of the Dine at Big Mountain, Az. 1986. Yes. A government lies to it’s people. The First Nations know this well. The rest of the country is just discovering that fact. Like gold in the Black Hills. The reason for the Wounded Knee massacre. Lies and greed . Killing. Wrecklessly. Movements and their members defy the truth of the lies time defies.

The date for Graham and Rios trial is still uncertain.

"assimilation" photo by a. nora claypoole

And the man behind the curtain always gets what he requests.

written by antoinette nora claypoole

2009-08-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

various writings about Anna Mae Aquash murder
by antoinette nora claypoole

books
Who would Unbraid Her Hair: the legend of annie mae (1999)

Ghost Rider Roads: People and Stories from the American Indian Movement (upcoming)

2010/2011
"Justice Hangs a Vacancy Sign" Dec. 2010
"Sassing Back" Wilderness House Literary Review Jan. 2011

2007/8
The Border Crossing of John Graham, part one
The Border Crossing of John Graham, part two
Murder, Wrapped in a Blanket
Rock Garden Hearts: John Trudell and Anna Mae

earlier
Arlo Looking Cloud Trial: chronicles for Pacifica Radio
America's Addiction to Lynching Indians

books
Who would Unbraid Her Hair: the legend of annie mae (1999)
Ghost Rider Roads: People and Stories from the American Indian Movement (upcoming)

graphic from Ghost Rider Roads used w/permission from Judy Gumbo Albert

BIO things...

Peltier denied parole, John Graham Oct. 6 trial delay expected

2009-08-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

history/index click here

Bloody Mr. X

by antoinette nora claypoole

photo of John Trudell at Peltier Rally, circa 1980; donated by Robert Robideau

“Mr. Peltier emphasized that the shootout occurred in circumstances where there literally was a war going on between corrupt tribal leaders, supported by the government, on the one hand, and Native American traditionalists and young activists on the other. He again denied -- as he as always denied -- that he intended the deaths of anyone or that he fired the fatal shots that killed the two agents, and he reminded the hearing officer that one of his former co-defendants recently admitted to having fired the fatal shots, himself.“

Eric Seitz ~ Leonard Peltier Attorney ~ Response on Parole Denial
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:42:10 -0700 (PDT)

Aug. 21, 2009. Today the fallout from the brown smog of an over populated desire for more took hold, once again, in Indian Country. Where it is apparent that new presidents and claims of progressive perspectives are mere opiates for the masses, much as Emma Goldman explained a century ago when she was deported for claiming birth control for women was civil right. At the time women were denied a right to decide what happened to our own bodies. Once I explained to a Taos Pueblo guy that I understood Indians a whole lot because the United States did to me, as a woman--did to my mother and grandmother as women-- the same things they have always done to Indians. Challenge our capacity for legitimacy and lock us up, in one way or another, if we can’t become part of the white man’s game.

And skin color has nothing to do with it. For as we see, a President of color can act like a white man very easily and a white chick can in fact develope compassionate logic for revolution.

But what does this all have to do with Leonard Peltier, a member of AIM who was yet again denied paroled today, Aug. 21, 2009, his next parole hearing scheduled for 2024, when he will be 79. His cousin Bob Robideau didn’t live that long—we lost him this past Feb.—so there is little chance parole hearings make any sense in the twisted fates of Indians. Peltier is a symbol of all that is wrong with America. And all that America loathes. A reminder that no amends have been made for massacres. That the destiny of this nation is doomed with or without a congressional medal of honor going to a survivor of Indian wars in the “old West”. There's always a Custer to eulogize. (recent Obama gesture to Joe Medicine Crow-High Bird: The last living Plains Indian war chief CNN Aug. 12, 09 ).

That is, Peltier represents the need for America to suffocate it’s history, to strangle it’s memory, to cut out the heart of a dream and feed it to machinery designed to banish life. "

There is no one for me to interview on this. Whole mess. But come with me anyway. My old friends are either dead or think I am a fed while others promise to google my name a bazillion times to prove that I’m alive. For the history of old AIM is not yet slain.

And. Peltier’s denial of parole falls on the skirt tails of the upcoming John Graham trial. I purposely don’t mention Graham’s “co-defendent” because in my mind smoke and mirrors are so outmoded and “Dick” Marshall has his own haunted house to clean. So. Back to Graham. Graham is intrinsically entwined with Peltier, whether Graham imagines this or is told by his attornies Kamook Banks, in her creepy testimony-- which I witnessed from the front row of the Looking Cloud dog and pony show -- blamed in her all her glory. Blamed Leonard Peltier for the murder of Annie Mae. Whilst being coached, according to courtroom rumours at the time, by John Trudell. Who then proceeded to name John Graham as the person who executed a woman some say was his lover. Strange how no one ever says that part out loud.

Who killed Annie Mae?

Consider. Peltier was on the lamb, Robideau in jail and ashes ashes we all fall down. But wait. Now Peltier goes in front of the parole board in July 09 and reminds them that his dead cousin (how did he really die?) co-defendent Robideau might had confessed to killing the agents Peltier is accused of slaying. I believe Peltier. Most of us do. I knew Vernon Bellecourt, Dave Chief (original member of Elder Council for Leonard), Robideau and all of them might have something to say about this parole denial. THis upcoming trial. But they are all dead. So where do we go from here.

"The government has gone to great lengths to keep the truth from coming out." About all these things. Peltier. Annie Mae. John Trudell words from a 2003 interview (click here).

There IS John Trudell, there is Dennis Banks, there is Russell Means. None of these guys are anyone who I have interviewed lately (Banks not ever), though Trudell came close to sharing alot with me at one point. Indeed. Back when I wrote my tribute for Annie Mae, back in the 90’s. When what he gained. Was my help in staging his “Bad Dog” shows. And then some. He was cryptic with me, as us poets are. He was alarmed at so much talk about Annie Mae. He was curious about her cousin and mostly what I remember. Are his eyes shifting from corner to corner of a dimly lit backstage hall. Those dark glasses...still. The darting eye thing was more about whether to wear a bullet proof vest or go on stage bare chested. So when Graham was arrested it made sense. Didn’t it. Someone had to be nabbed. Why not the guy who drove Annie Mae up north. Instead of the leaders of AIM.

Trudell never talked about Graham to me.

But Graham spoke of Trudell when I went up to Canada and covered Graham’s extradition hearings for Pacifica Radio. Back in 2005. Graham wanted to know why Trudell betrayed him. Pacing around over coffee at an old Vancouver B.C diner. Angry, searching. I had no answers for him. His people wanted more from me. And I didn’t have it to give. That’s when they started the whole “she’s a mole thing” up there. Lordie. Couldn’t escape their fears. The place where spirits are eaten.

Annie Mae wanted to know why most everyone she loved betrayed her. Graham said he helped Trudell and Dino Butler, took care of them up in Canada. When the heat was intense somewhere back in the early 80’s. But like Angelina Jolie in her Mrs. Smith flick. Like Ms. Jolie, producer of Trudell’s Blue Indians, the only question left for Graham is “who’s your daddy now?”

Trudell will most likely testify against Graham on October 6 in Rapid City. Unless the prosecution appeals and delays the trial, yet again, as is expected (see update here). Injust as it is. Peltier may grow old in Pennsylvania. Like my people have. Banks will continue to do the mum is the word thang. And Annie Mae, she loved them all. Only to die brutally with a hole inside her heart. Where a dream was supposed to be. If John Graham is nervous and pleading the fifth this October, and wishes his old friends from AIM would stand by him, imagine how us women feel. When the love they take is never equal to the hearts they slay.

I remember, Robideau kept telling me Over and over before he died suddenly last winter:

“she was cutting the labels off her clothes as they drove her that night. We all had a plan that if we thought the feds were going to take any of us down that we would remove the labels from our clothes. Cause the feds had listed us down to the clothes we wore. And Annie Mae she was loyal to the end. Thinking that cutting off the labels proved she was not going to be identified. Or something. Cutting, cutting, cutting on the way to her execution”.

It was an awful story Robideau told me.

To prove that he could be trusted? And to try and make me trust something other than my intuition. In the end, if my dad wasn’t buried at Arlington. I’ll bet. I would be deported. Just like Emma Goldman. For never doing what I’m supposed to do. I didn’t write about all things Robideau told me. But in the end we did part friends.

(artwork: "An unforgiving daughter" by Robert Robideau for Anna Mae)

I can’t write a story, do a piece, interview an attorney and pretend that truth is in. The mix. Never. Again. Peltier’s parole denial says it all.....someone has to pay when a murder happens. The only brutal truth. Is that innocence is not an option. When you aren't part of the white man's game. And yes. I believe Peltier. And his plea to the parole board. I feel the truth of the lies. Inside all the prisoners of this ongoing war. Eric Seiltz, Peltier’s lawyer, says it well. In his statement about the FBI and courts, Peltier (and Indians):

“ This is the extreme action of the same law enforcement community that brought us the indefinite imprisonment of suspected teenage terrorists, tortures, and killings in CIA prisons around the world and promoted widespread disrespect for the democratic concepts of justice upon which this country supposedly was founded”.

Oh my. All some of us do these days is hope—that awful opiate—hope. That the death march misses our house. Maybe a bloody red X on the doorstep. While Quiltman does that Incident at Oglala soundtrack in the background.

And then consider the words of Ben Carnes: "We’ve been saying that we wanted to start a prairie fire of outrage to the Oval Office of the White House for Peltier... As most everyone has heard, the White House phone lines were shut down today immediately after the news came out. The fact they shut down the lines is proof of how they were overwhelmed. You know that was brought to the presidents’ attention. I hope he leaned back in his chair and looked out the window of the Oval Office, and really thought that day about Leonard Peltier. And how much he obviously means to the people to shut down his hi-tech phone system."

CALL TO ACTION from Peltier support Groups:
sign a petition demanding clemency for Leonard Peltier

dark glasses Trudell photo courtesy of heYoKa magazine
photographer unknown

Robert Robideau passes......

2009-03-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

by antoinette claypoole
a Robert Robideau tribute click here

Graham trial date pushed to October 6, 2009
scroll down for more info about Anna Mae Aquash murder....

In Sound Proof Rooms: new piece about upcoming Trial

2008-09-12T14:14:00.001-07:00

covers events leading up to the Rapid City, S. Dakota, John Graham Murder Trial, Oct. 6, 2008 including....

recent 3rd arrest per murder of Anna Mae Aquash,
notes on UK author Serle Chapman “paid informant/co-operating witness”, Annie Mae “alive in ’76

"In Sound Proof Rooms"
dedicated to Anna Mae Aquash (1945-1975/6)
by antoinette nora claypoole

photo: "NW AIM, circa 1972" photographer unknown

"My eyes drift like a death walk.

Back into the heartbeat of a Pacific Northwest audience. An event myself and local activists organized: “Apartheid in America”.

One night that late winter weekend International Treaty Council person Tom LaBlanc brought an 8mm flick up from San Francisco. It was called “Brave Hearted Woman” and there I heard Annie Mae’s name.

Saw her death in the eyes of all of us, like headlights on an Oregon highway which Robert Robideau still claims 'did her in. That November (1975) bust here in Oregon was her death sentence, antoinette' ". read complete piece

home

Writings Index

2008-09-08T00:16:00.000-07:00

various writings about Anna Mae Aquash murder
by antoinette nora claypoole

2007/8
The Border Crossing of John Graham, part one
The Border Crossing of John Graham, part two
Murder, Wrapped in a Blanket
Rock Garden Hearts: John Trudell and Anna Mae

earlier
Arlo Looking Cloud Trial: chronicles for Pacifica Radio
America's Addiction to Lynching Indians

books
Who would Unbraid Her Hair: the legend of annie mae (1999)
Ghost Rider Roads: People and Stories from the American Indian Movement (upcoming)

graphic from Ghost Rider Roads used w/permission from Judy Gumbo Albert

Civil Liberties in Upcoming Trial

2008-08-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Trial UPDATES

John Graham readies for trial -- Oct. 6, 2008
NEW...Aug. 08 court documents
Sept.Rulings re: "Anna Mae Alive in 1976"

About the upcoming trial...

"Civil Liberties Statement"

from antoinette nora claypoole

"civil liberties of writers are very important in these times of Patriot Act realities. Currently I am stepping into a simple, important process of protecting our rights while adhering to/learning about the new "laws of the land". All this in regards to events in Indian Country, ie the upcoming trial of John Graham, extradited from Canada to the U.S. in Dec. 2007 for the murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash. I believe media rights will be part of our new landscape...a textured fight or a raging river, undammed. EIther way, we'll witness and create like emdangered osprey in the reeds of summer's heat..." (more, click here)

peace
antoinette

top photo: "self-portrait, desert spring" 3.08

AIM graphic donated by Robert Robideau from Peltier files: "John Trudell in protest"

INDEX (use search, the top left of this page...)

History of this Case: click or scroll down
Pictou Family re: Murder of Anna Mae
(antoinette book excerpts here)

HOME

updates and history

2007-12-07T11:22:00.001-08:00

"a sense of it all"

some history of this murder case
(scroll down for more)

blog written by
antoinette nora claypoole

about Anna Mae Aquash

in Heyoka Magazine

her letters
excerpts/history of her life in AIM
scroll down for more
INTERVIEW with John Graham, 3.04
notes from Arlo Looking Cloud Trial, 2.04

PHOTO:Anna Mae and her husband Nogeeshik, at Wounded Knee, 1973

Read in Heyoka Magazine

The Border Crossing of John Graham, Part One
Border Crossing of John Graham, Part Two

by antoinette nora claypoole

HISTORICAL THINGS

U.S. vs John Graham: legal documents posted by Robert Robideau
Murder Wrapped in a Blanket a 2007 piece re: Robideau in British Columbia

letter (Nov. 1975) by Anna Mae Pictou Aquash from Jail
current Statement (12.10.07) from John Graham's family
about Naneek Graham , John Graham's daughter
past Statement from Annie Mae's daughter
letter (summer 1975) from Annie Mae to Dennis Banks
about John Trudell
click here for menu of this blog

Ikons of the Past

by antoinette nora claypoole

Ashland, Or. Dec. 12. According to most sources, 32 years ago tonight--Dec. 12th 1975-- is the date Anna Mae Pictou Aquash was murdered. And now we await a trial date for John Graham. Her accused murderer. Some wonder, some know, how the landscape looks from his cell.

Only a brief public “statement” by Graham supporters. Words of nothing new. Posted on a website. While Indian Country waits for word of when the lost ikons of AIM activism will emerge. To testify against a man they barely knew.

Like deer in headlights of an old Ford it seems tonight has an eerie frozen in time theme. Where are the unsilenced people? How did Annie Mae fight for her life?

There are many who have investigated this brutal piece of Indian history for over a decade. And most put missionary style faith into key investigators, Who claim the Dec. death doctrine. Like papal mandates during the witch hunting Inquisition. There are ‘facts’ which are considered sacred to this case. Information which emerged from the hard conquests of secrecy which Annie Mae’s death eluded for nearly 20 years. A time before anyone took “interest” in the case.

Paul Demain (ed. News from Indian Country) and Robert Branscombe (second cousin to Annie Mae) were the first to emerge. They spent years of their lives trying to follow the trail of corruption which lead to Annie Mae’s murder.

Yet. The ghost of her second husband, Nogeeshik Aquash (1944-1990?) cannot be forgotten. His research notes may have burned down with the house, but the pursuit of a timeline for Annie Mae’s death persisted. Only to continue to defy the sensibilities of the rare few who can’t make two and two be five. For time is still a mystery to those of us certain life is a circle of worlds unnamed but to the best of dreamers.

What do I mean?
What in the world Carmen San Diego am I talking about, you ask?

I mean some people believe Annie Mae did not die in December 1975. Despite the efforts of writers and others.

Nonetheless, John Graham awaits trail based on ....the One timeline which dominates. Like a patriarch in a village resisting the inevitability of electricity. A light in the late 90’s was shined into the corner of Annie Mae’s death. Emerging and prevailing research placed today, Dec. 12th,, as the day 32 years ago that John Graham shot a mother. And activist. The rare kind of woman who believed in what she knew others had forgotten. “Being Indian” was something to claim. Or die trying to defy.

But let’s go back.

Consider Annie Mae’s estranged husband, Nogeeshik. Not the father of her daughters but a man she married at the Siege of Wounded Knee (1973). He spent the rest of his own life—after her murder-- trying to find the killers. Family rumour had it (interview of Mickey Aquash, 1995) that Nogeeshik had discovered who killed his wife the night before HE died in a “mysterious” house fire. In the early 90’s.

Nogeeshik had already been paralyzed in an odd car accident while he searched for clues to Annie Mae’s execution. Silkwood style. The night he died he apparently phoned a family member from his wheelchair and announced the frayed truth of his search. Because Nogeeshik couldn’t walk, he didn’t survive the house fire. And died with this info he had found. He said he knew who killed Annie Mae. And died with that “truth” bleeding inside of him. Most likely died because names and photos were folded too neatly into his vest pocket.

Like family albums there are other stories I found inside the Aquash camp, way back when. Stories which haunt me. Stories that cut and paste me into pages and pages of writing about Annie Mae and her accused murderer John Graham.

Is there a reprieve for any of us?
Perhaps not.

Long before I heard Graham’s name, someone sent me an internet link. It was the mid 90’s and computers were not what they have become. Like naive teens picking berries in Maine for a living---as Annie Mae did when she met the father of her “girls”---those of us looking for information on the “net” were locked into a late autumn’s harvest. After the freeze. That is, there was little if anything online about Annie Mae in those days.

Nonetheless, a guy named Jordan Dill had replied to my call for interviews of people who knew Annie Mae. He sent me a link to pages by/of a woman named Paula Giese. The pages told of Annie Mae and their Christmas visit. Paula Giese was remembering. In 1975. Two weeks after Dec. 12. “Here” I wrote, “ finally someone with a good story to tell about Annie Mae before she died. A great beginning of a timeline to her last days”. It was only later that the Dec 12th death date was named.

3 or 4 years later Paul Demain approached Dill and a new timeline emerged. One which said Annie Mae was killed before Christmas and her body had been in the ravine in Wanblee for over 2 months before being found.

The fact is, Paula Giese died sometime before this new timeline (far as I can tell) and there seems no one around to dispute the Dec. 12th date which places John Graham--and his admitted ride to Pine Ridge with Annie Mae (interview 2004)-- into the context of death.

There is no footnote to offer you here.

Only pieces of an inconceivable brutal act of betrayal. By someone. Perhaps John Graham. Perhaps another unnamed clan. Of would be dream lovers of her life.

Anna Mae’s daughter Denise has been a spokesperson for her mother’s legacy since her distant cousin, Bob Branscombe visited Denise and family. Bob’s mother was first cousin to Annie Mae. Had heard stories of the death but it was Bob who set things in motion for the family. In Nova Scotia in the mid 1990’s.

Denise Maloney has been clear on many occasions that she believes Looking Cloud’s confession to murder via Graham’s “gun” --and has many reasons to believe all the stories which have been told her. About her mother’s death.

Today, on the day Annie Mae is said to have died, I tried to honor Denise and asked her for a “statement” about Graham in S. Dakota. But she chose not to reply.

Instead a new piece of info came my way.

According to a source close to this case—a person who asked to remain anonymous--Arlo Looking Cloud HAS been in communication with Denise Maloney. Rumour has it that Looking Cloud may be ready to testify against John Graham. At the upcoming trial. The prosecution obviously could use a "witness" so this idea is nothing new. Is Looking Cloud back to stating that Graham did indeed fire a gun at Annie Mae 32 years ago today? TIme will reveal what humans deny. His story runs both ways.

Looking Cloud would be an obvious witness for the prosecution, but his statements have been corrupted by a video confession during which he told the investigators he was drinking. He never took the stand. At his own trial. One thing we know.

The ups and downs of Looking Cloud are like the badlands weather. Take shelter. More storms ahead.

There is no safety zone. We really have no where left to go.

No Nogeeshik. No Paula Giese. No reliable coroner’s report. We have Looking Cloud, a self-proclaimed “drunken” Indian telling a story. And we have most of old AIM saying nothing. That Looking Cloud hasn’t said already.

Most of old AIM never mentions tribunals against Annie Mae, as she was suspected of being a Federal Agent. Rather. We have old AIM claiming everything from denial that Annie Mae was important in the movement to open air statements that her lawyer used her own cold jail cell letter. Against her. Her jail letter about informants. Was used as proof, some say. Proof that Annie Mae was a Fed. At an AIM tribunal that many people attended.

Indeed. The same people who point fingers at John Graham sat in an old house 32 years ago and listened to Annie Mae sentenced to death by gun and they did nothing. To stop it. It took over 20 years for some people to finally say out loud "she was one of us". She was not an agent. There are still others who remain silent. And the rare few unafraid to speak.

Enter Robert Robideau of NW AIM. Who was at the time of Annie Mae's murder being held for the killing of FBI at Oglala. Robideau's unique place in history makes it crucial that we hear his concerns (click here for details). For he is neither threatened with an indictment by the U.S. nor is he invested in “protecting” anyone. The idea that he lives with a concern that he was too “naive” to know Annie Mae needed protection back then. Is haunting enough for Robideau. But he was in jail. He could do nothing.

An old rumour in Indian Country says that some folks had a sudden pang of guilt and raced out to stop the execution. But they were too late. To save her from the sins of “mob” behaviour.

Are there bystanders, a peanut gallery of activists who are so easily acquitted in all this? Does a search for those who saw Annie Mae at Christmas change any of this? Does John Graham have someone he is protecting?

These are the questions people might want to start asking.

Answers which I can imagine merit a “virtuous” voice. If only for a a new generation who has inherited the “sins of the fathers”.

Whether Annie Mae was killed on Dec. 12, 1975 or Mid February 1976 makes all the difference to John Graham’s daughter, Naneek. Who believes her Dad when he says he did, yes, ride with Annie Mae. And drove her to Pine Ridge. Around Dec. 12th. Naneek believes her dad when he says he dropped Annie Mae off at a safe house. There. And that was the last time he saw her.

Is it so unconceivable that someone else killed Annie Mae
If so, why?

Is it so impossible that the AIM leadership, which is often mentioned by Robert Robideau had plans to kill Annie Mae?

Could those plans—perhaps—have excluded John Graham?

These are the questions some may be asking.
These are the questions that say “tell me answers.”
Before any trial can be deemed fair.
We deserve more.
Before any trial can write the history of the life and death of Indians.
We need a jury of more than one wanabee Indian.
We need a place where racism is not the credo of courtroom drama.

And.
We need to hear from Old AIM.

Thanks to Robert Robideau for taking up one of the tasks.
And to Nogeeshik Aquash for trying.

The verdict is far from being in on how South Dakota plans to break it’s own addiction to lynching Indians.

to be continued......

all people are one
copyright 2007
a. nora claypoole

Twilight Inferno: GRAHAM APPEAL FAILS

2007-06-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

connect watersongs@gmail.com INFOSHOP NEWS
Rock Garden Heart: response to Trudell

Murder, Wrapped in a Blanket (about Bob Robideau)
Twilight Inferno: The Extradition of John Graham

to navigate this blog scroll down

read various updates (2004-present)

or CliCk HeRE

Twilight Inferno: The Extradition of John Graham
by antoinette nora claypoole

“…the American Justice system is not color blind…”

-- Barack Obama
from a debate at Howard University
June, 28, 2007

On a quest for the next place to write. About a Communist writer/activist, Louise Bryant (1885-1936). Nearly lost to history. Like so many women of our country. I sit in W. Hollywood, visiting a friend. News arrives. That John Graham, Southern Tuchone from the Yukon Territory. Will be sent to S. Dakota and tried for the murder of a woman he claims he knew but never killed. Anna Mae Pictou Aquash.

A jury in South Dakota trying an Indian for killing an Indian. Is like a Black Man in a white woman’s novel being freed for killing a mockingbird. It just doesn’t happen. Harper Lee knew that. The truth is. Stories of surviving as a person of color are rare.

Graham will most likely be sent to a fate no film in this industry town has ever dared describe. And I, held hostage by the haze of W. LA. I wonder at how someone would write the script. For all this.

OPENING: Camera circles a camp like wagon trains at sundown. Surrounding buffalo. Hides. Drying in the summer sun. Dreams dead as chokecherries in nuclear winter.

June 26, 2007. John Graham ordered extradited to the United States. To S. Dakota from Vancouver, British Columbia. He is pulled from his house arrest situation, placed in jail where he awaits a fated effort by his attorneys. Now. An appeal to Canadian Supreme Court. To deny extradition. According to law, a 30-60 day process. One which no one believes will remedy Graham’s plea to be saved from a trial scripted by lynch mob mentality.

Indicted for the murder of Annie Mae. Losing this first appeal to avoid extradition. Graham enters the corridors of rusted justice. For Annie Mae’ s brutal death warrants resolve but is not necessarily unearthed with the schlepping of Graham to S. Dakota, a racist state who can’t be trusted with it’s own memory of Wounded Knee and massacre of children. It slays history, bending facts to suit the guilt it would rather nuke at Diablo Canyon than admit exists. That is, acknowledging acts of violence toward Indians has been neither sustenance nor necessity. In S. Dakota.

Though some say Graham killed Annie Mae and will “find justice” now, gold diggers have never been known for their honesty. Consider broken treaties Red Cloud. The list is longer than the history.

ACTION on an Indian Reservation. Dusty Dakotas, casinoed nations. Jackson Browne song playing the background.

Guns fire into the twilight of an inferno. Children hide under formica table tops like their grandmothers once hid inside the folds of hollowed earth. Hoping to survive attack. Sound like Iraq? Or an old tour inside Universal Studio’s back lot? Yes. But it’s not.

This picture is the petroglyph of tribes throughout “America” since the arrival of Europeans. And just like any one day in the history of indigenous people, June 26, 2007 holds it’s own macabre story. Like it’s sister date of June 26, 1975 Lakota are involved. MicMaq are in the scene. And Southern Tuchone from the upper Yukon Territory.

Converging to freeze frame time. And survive the bullets cutting into the lives of everyone who dare cross the demands of a government founded on revolution. Some dreams die young. As do their keepers. Their players and the plot.

FINAL SETTING Dim. People scattering. A city in fire.

In this script, this twilight. There would be no happy ending. It would be Babel in reverse. The village would be armed by the doctors who kill the patients they can’t save. And I am not afraid to say that the beautiful woman who is murdered brutally leaves traces of who her killers were but no one really listens. In the end a man is taken to trial but the lookely loos of this case cannot erase the facts. Racist places have an agenda. Killing Indians any way they can,

John Graham and his self-proclaimed innocence will be muted. Not by justice but by those who know little else than Covington’s “the only good Indian is a dead one”.

Taking the audience to a back room where evidence of truth lives. Is like film laying on the edit floor. The cut is deep. The editors asleep. Someone always forgets to save the best for last. Gunshots scattered the cast and at some point we are all hiding from the past. Shrapnel some call it. The past. A mine field. Shrapnelled vets abound.

EXIT all characters. The set is empty.

Broken chairs, empty shoes. Purses full of placemats. There is no evidence. Of human existence. Truth. Compassion. Love. Is all we need. John Lennon haunting us. Playing in the background. On an old stereo. Black vinyl. The needle broken. Stuck on repeat. Matrix of a Cirque de Soleil performance.

Maybe Robert Robideau, veteran of these Indian Wars says it best: “This should be exiting to see all the rats scurry about, maneuvering to save their respective asses.”

FLASHBACK: to dead. Young Woman. Children crying. In the background. Circus song still playing.

www.antoinetteclaypoole.blogspot.com
www.johngrahaminterview.blogspot.com
www.anniemaeletter.blogspot.com
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/06/26/graham-extradite.html

antoinette nora claypoole
June 28, 2007
Pasadena, Ca.

May 2007

2007-05-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

click here for history/overview of these hearings

PRESS RELEASE
May 17, 2007

GRAHAM RELEASED PENDING JUDGEMENT

May 17, 2007. Ashland, OR. In Vancouver, British Columbia, after a day of challenging the extradition laws, 3 judges did in fact opt to "reserve judgement" regarding the case of John Graham. That means they will take as long as they like to decide whether Canadian Laws uphold an earlier ruling to extradite Graham to the U.S.

According to Ms. Kronin, attorney in the office of Graham's counsel Terrance LaLiberte, the judges could issue a decision "in a week or at the end of the year". She explained, from her Vancouver office, that " there is no deadline date for their decision" and they could offer a mere one day lead time when they are ready to announce. Graham was rereleased under house arrest at the end of the session.

back home

Robert Robideau and John Graham

2007-05-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

(scroll down or read sidebar for index of entire blog)

As tomorrow, May 17th, 2007 is an important day in court for John Graham, supporters and old AIMsters have surfaced. Fighting with a fury. Here is a piece I wrote explaining the lastest series of events in this ever painful case.

Murder, Wrapped in a Blanket

by antoinette nora claypoole

"It is wonderful to write to you. I am actually pleased to be able to take the time to write to you all. I love you all very much."

--Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, Mikmaq, Nov. 1975

A 21st century interview. With a survivor of the Indian Wars, 20th century style. I sit in a humble duplex on the eastern edge of Portland, Oregon. Fog shifting around like the shadows of ancestors. Haunted by the murders of their People. Another time and place consumes our talk. Sitting with Robert Robideau, member of the American Indian Movement who has worked tirelessly for his cousin, Leonard Peltier. Remembering when they all had so much to gain.

"She asked me once, there at the Jumping Bull Camp, 'Can I be part of the Northwest AIM group, with you?" Annie Mae Pictou Aquash. Talking to Robert Robideau back in 1975. Just a few months before she was found brutally murdered. They were young warriors trying to survive the FBI agents sent to destroy the movement. Robideau remembers more: "She was in with so many of our leaders. I didn't know then that she was in danger. I live with the fact that we in the Northwest could have protected her".

Robideau takes this knowledge, this memory seriously. As he tours for his cousin, Peltier, he talks about who killed Annie Mae. He believes John Graham, Tuchone from the Yukon Territory is guilty. And said so on a recent tour in Vancouver, B.C. There Robideau met attacks on his position. He was confronted by people who called him a Fed. And mostly he realized that supporting his cousin, Peltier, is as dangerous now as it was when he first met Annie Mae.

Robideau is currently being attacked by supporters of John Graham. Some people loathe him. Others know that his work and committment to his cousin's freedom are undying. Peltier distanced himself from Graham, the accused murderer of Anna Mae and Robideau has supported that position. Something which causes stirs into a pot ready to boil over. Peltier's recent attorney, Barry Bachrach, stepped down due to Peltier's inability to track/trust efforts made on his behalf. Still, his sentiments run deep. Today I say: "Robideau certainly created quite a stir while supporting his cousin, Leonard Peltier, would you agree?" Bachrach's reply a wellspring, a generosity of spirit: "Yes he does, and for me it has been my privilege to know him."

Despite the controversy which surrounds the murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash, and Peltier's understandable struggle to remain lucid after 30 years of wrongful incarceration, Robideau continues to believe his work is essential. His recent tour to Vancouver, B.C. a testament. To the worldwide efforts to free his cousin.

Robideau says he didn't go north to talk about Graham, as his opponents accuse him of doing. A serious, perplexed explanation prevails. " They didnt want to hear about the freedom campaign for Leonard..only about Graham. I went to Canada to speak solely about the freedom campaign for Leonard, which Graham's supporters disrupted". But where is Graham in all this? "I offered to meet with Graham under any conditions they choose. They declined", Robideau explains with a certainty he knows to be fact. I couldn't get a clear response from Graham or his supporters about whether he himself was aware of Robideau's wanting to meet.

And now. A random letter Peltier wrote in late April. Surfaces. On May 13th Graham supporters begin blasting Robideau. Again. The letter is posted publicly. A sad rant by Peltier, against his cousin. Robideau says he will resign from the committee. Peltier refuses to accept and as I write this is suppposedly preparing a public apology. To his cousin and to former attorney, Barry Bachrach. At best it will relect the fact that Leonard Peltier trusts his cousin with his life". And at least we imagine it will reveal what happens to someone who has been suffering under the gun of injustice.

The entire story is complex. Represents the nature of living in Indian Country. On both sides of any border indigenous people continue their struggle to survive all that has been to done to them.

The story keeps repeating itself. The paradoxes of a Patriot Act foreshadowed in Wounded Knee. So long ago by now. A replay, agents of fear abound. One person claims innocence while others yell “lynch”. Me? I keep saying let's not silence truth. The words of Matthew Lien, an in-the-trenches friend, a Graham supporter, resound: "I'm only hoping for justice and truth, which translates into John's (Graham) freedom, and that those responsible for Anna Mea's death be identified.”

The tape recorder not quite an MP3 player. Robideau says alot more to me. About what he believes of Graham’s guilt. But why all this fury against you, I ask him. His reply resonates still... “ They are afraid of me. Fear can be your worst enemy......"

Yes fear our great demise. Love the reprise so many fear. Still. We want to keep oursleves safe from the heat, the turbulance of this flight. Into desire. For resolve.
Maybe Anna Mae can help with this. She explains it best. From a jail cell in Vancouver, Wa. Nov. 1975:

“ This jail is so cold I am sitting at this table with a blanket wrapped around me. We have a broken window that they tried to patch up but the winds are strong today. It dropped to 15 degrees last nite and I’m sure it colder today. On our way over here yesterday I had the opportunity to gaze upon Mt. Hood. What a beautiful sight. Got to sign off-lawyer to take letter out.Love forever
Annie Mae (Aquash)“Naguset Eask” Sun Woman.

The years have eased none of the pain. Her murder. Our loss will resound 200 years beyond the end of time.

May 16, 2007
Ashland, Or.

MORE INFO:

Leonard Peltier's website
http://www.leonardpeltier.net/newsroom.htm

read John Graham's words:
www.johngrahaminterview.blogspot.com

read Annie Mae's words:
www.anniemaeletter.blogspot.com

BACK HOME

A Sense of it All

2007-03-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

Annie Mae & Nogeeshik Aquash wedding
Siege of Wounded Knee, 1973

written by antoinette nora claypoole

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see the sidebar archives
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ABOUT THELMA RIOS
ANOTHER OLD AIM indicted for the murder of Aquash Sept. 10, 2009

Thelma Rios, the most recent Indian arrested for the murder of Annie Mae Aquash was a member of the "pie patrol", a group of women who hated Anna Mae and attempted to threaten and harass her back in the summer of 1975. This info came to me via an interview with AIM leader Vernon Bellecourt, a number of years before he passed away.

Thelma Rios was married to David Hill, also know as "Mr. X" in Indian Country. Some old AIM have claimed that David Hill is a fed, an FBI agent. Robert Robideau was close to David Hill and repeatedly defended Hill, never believed the story against Hill.

Rios was probably arrested because she is just old enough and weak enough to name names, just like Looking CLoud--found guilty of killing Annie Mae in 04--is doing. Rios will probably co-operate with the prosecution of John Graham. But her naming a former husband--Hill-- as FBI/fed who "killed Anna Mae" --according to an interview she did with David Seals in 2004---well. That's just downright ludicrous. Att'y General Marty Jackley would not arrest a woman who was then going to talk about her former husband being an FBI responsible for the murder of Annie Mae. Is she? No. I don't imagine that in a million years.

a.c. 9.12.09

SOME basic, old blog HISTORY

John Graham was arrested in Dec. 2003, accused of murdering his friend and fellow member of the American Indian Movement, Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. Annie Mae had been threatened by the FBI, was an active leader and had been arrested for "running weapons"--released without bail-- at one point soon before she was found executed in Feb. 1976.

Graham is the second of two Indian men accused of killing Annie Mae. The other, Arlo Looking Cloud, has been sentenced to life in prison after a trial which last 3 1/2 days in Rapid City, South Dakota, Feb. 2004. He was convicted based on hearsay evidence. Currently he is appealing his sentence and has retracted his original statement that John Graham killed Annie Mae.

The case is complex. This blog intends to encourage people to think for themselves. I offer information which comes to me, with a bias toward believing that people are innocent until proven otherwise. AND that nothing is what it seems to be. In these times.
website for John Graham by his family

SUMMARY
as of Spring 2007

The hearings to extradite John Graham to the United States from British Columbia, Canada began in December 2004. They continued into late 2006. Some of the hearings were synchronistically right around the timeAnnie Mae's body was found, 29 years ago.

At that time, Feb. 21, 2005, the Canadian Government ruled to send John Graham to the U.S. to be tried in Rapid City, South Dakota. Graham's attorney, Terry LaLiberte, plans an appeal to that ruling and John Graham was set free on bail, under house arrest, from March 2005 until November 7, 2005. He has to return to court then. To see what the powers that be will provide. Next. In November, 2005, exactly 30 years after Anna Mae "went missing", John Graham's extradition appeal was delayed until June, 2006. He was released on bail, under house arrest.

In June 2006 his appeal to the legality of Canadian extradition laws allowed for an extension of hearings, Graham's next court date being October, 2006. Click here for update from June 2006. Graham remains released on bail, under house arrest.

...Graham's last court date October, 2006 Click here for details
Graham remains released on bail, under house arrest

Please note: some of these pieces were written as part of my coverage of the hearings for KPFK Pacifica Radio, Los Angeles. A far-out public radio station committed to covering issues other media won't touch. Including the trials of former members of the American Indian Movement.

contact info:

po box 3026
ashland, or. 97520
watersongs@gmail.com

response to Trudell: Rock Garden Heart

2006-09-24T19:47:00.001-07:00

Anna Mae and Nogeeshik, 1973

(photo credits below)

Rock Garden Hearts

by antoinette nora claypoole

And so there are a few things. Which keep the moon in her Sky and the leaves turning yellow. Red. Falling. Seasons. Of the mind and heart. Flash forward and back. 2012. 1975. Time, the coyote. The trickster. We have been together before. We will be together again. We are always here. The circle is like Northern Lights returned from the oracle at Delphi.

Now. Then. A jump start into a two lane road trip. Skipping truck stops and heading into an old Esso station. A paper map and three fingers clasping a Mars bar. The trip is full of sustenance. Shooting star reality. To keep the miles piling high. Like a Warhol painting it is the 1970’s. Bottled mountain dew, no pull top cans. And sand between the heels of his feet and stones scattered in the dusty parking lot. On his way to Duck Valley Reservation. Nevada. Home to the loneliest road in the west. Her guess is that he loved all women. A six year old boy losing his bandito mother is like etching petroglyphs of desire’s fire into his eyes when any woman walks by.

Maybe. John Trudell was Annie Mae’s lover. Maybe not. What we know for certain is that he loved his wife Tina on that road trip. That fall. And that Annie Mae was still alive. Trying to get help from the young AIM guys who found her ahead of her time. In some ways she is still alive. In their paradox of love her/fear her, is she really one of us? In those days with that wild sense of destiny undoing what all the daddies designed, Annie Mae was beyond time and place. Wrong place. Right time. Right place. Wrong time. Once we delete us and them, right and wrong, then we come to knowing something true. No matter what happens on the road, someone’s car wreck is everyone’s crumpled candy wrapper. Tatooed on an arm. For all the lovers to take home.

photo from Voices at Wounded Knee
Anna Mae and Nogeeshik wedding, 1973

But okay. Back to Trudell. And Annie Mae. She figured he was someone who could keep her from being murdered. They had that kind of connection.

Someone up in Canada said, not too long ago, that Trudell could even get you to kill someone, he was that powerful. Just by ….well just by being who he is. Pluto and the Moon. On his ascendant. Consider Hiroshima and how the world is never the same. After women and Sky meet uranium. Like that. Trudell now, so many years later, is on a road trip south. He has no “on Star” in his car. He is his own Milky Way big dipper following the skymarks to the answer. The mysteries like ancient Greece and Ariadne prevail. The minotaur awaits his freedom from their cages. It is woman through the ages who can save a man from death. Even half man half beast receives his reprieve, if like a magpie to the mesa he believes the Earth provides.

Okay. Trudell says. Graham. Once a friend, a brother in resistance. Was "told" to kill Annie Mae. By gov't infiltrators in the Movement. Great. Trudell's talking Feds. But. He is still assuming that guys who say they didn't kill anyone. Killed a sister. And I still ask. Who could have saved Annie Mae? Give me those names on some parchment or indictment sealed in a Rapid City envelope dated time out of mind.

Trudell, in his wild desire. To resolve the merciless past. Forgets to remember what I really do wish I could forget. An eerie screech, a winged howl. This. "Fact". That the accused murderers (and others) claim Annie Mae was alive that winter. After they left her at a house out on Pine Ridge. Trudell himself is known to have said "she died in Jan. or Feb. of 1976" . It hurts to write this. It has been over 10 years now. Books of once blank pages. Written at night. In the back of a car. On the side of that highway with no flashlight. My fingers cramp in the moth eatten mittens.

But it gets worse. Now emerges. Trudell's new theory that “Arlo couldn’t stand the guilt” and so had to talk about the killing. Confess. But Arlo Looking Cloud, following his conviction for the murder of Annie Mae requested an appeal. Based on new information. He says...he never saw Annie Mae shot.

Some say Looking Cloud sang in Lakota all night after he was convicted. And woke up requesting that appeal. Some feel. Looking Cloud. Was SAFE enough within the confines of a pressing life sentence in jail, to tell HIS truth. Like poetic epic passages from Sophocles. The underbelly of the beast. Is the mystery itself. Blown to the outer limits. Whose reality is the dream? Whose dream denies reality?

And then we have John Graham. Denying that he murdered anyone. AND, though it sounds convincing when Trudell suggests Graham will not be extradited because the “gov’t finds it best to leave him in Canada...so the infiltrators won't get named”, the facts are that the ruling to extradite John Graham happened 18 months ago. And the main reason Graham is still in Vancouver is. He has decent attorneys. And yes. The U.S. hired a new prosecutor. But wasn't it mostly because they never imagined Graham would have such a legal epiphany? A direct challenge tp the extradition laws in Canada. A unexpected delay in the courts addiction to racism. Getting a fix. In South Dakota.

So. Where does all this leave Trudell in his claims that the “boys” did it, but that the government is to blame?

He’s almost there. The wind stirs up a dust devil. The highway calls home. Duck Valley is still a night away. From where he longs to be. The government did send in agents.

Annie Mae did know who they were (see a letter written by her from jail, Fall 1975). Yes. Trudell’s got the turn in the road happening. But a narrow stretch is blinding. Could it be those agents themselves who killed Annie Mae, not the “boys” John Graham and Arlo Looking Cloud? It's like a repeated dream. That wondering. And I just want to hear Trudell's answer. His voice inside the concept. Why is that so hard to imagine? Because it is twilight now, the dust devil blocks the road signs. So many things get turned around and steering wheels jam when tightened in a fist. That is, as much as some of us are taken by Trudell's talk about gov’t operants within AIM, there are still some missing milepost markers.

So what do we do, without an oasis? People claim. To have seen Annie Mae AFTER Dec. 12, 1975, the alledged day she was murdered. And what about those who tell the story. About Looking Cloud being taken to several Federal prisons in the late 80’s. And told to talk about killing Annie Mae. If he ever wanted to live on the streets of Denver again.

There are many stories which pop up. Like road signs hammered into the desert of our longing. Ripped by the wind. Landing in the lobby of a casino the LA side of Vegas. The stories cannot be ignored. The stories become the bet. The hand. No one wants to fold. John still. A long way from home. Curved road rising. Up ahead. Sage and soda lids. On the dash. Almost eclipsed. Some of us remember he makes it back alive. While others die. To help him from the other side. This much of the story is all we really know. Annie Mae was killed because of gov’t operants. And some of her friends and lovers are haunted by her will to survive.

We’ll make up the part about someone driving to Denver to save her. We’ll remember that part about how she was called a fed. And that a caravan to rescue her. Might have been the death sentence. For anyone. And yet the final story washes these words. Like a monsoon rearranging arroyos. Some people say a carload of people tried. At the last minute. But it was too late.

Is there anything but painful destiny. In any of this. One thing certain. Coyote takes a fox and never looks back. These are the ravages of time.

(this piece is a response to “Who killed Annie Mae” John Trudell Interviews ....variation of Letter to the Editor sent to Indian Country Today, Sept. 24, 2006)

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copyright 2006
antoinette nora claypoole
All People are One

who killed Annie Mae?

2006-09-18T16:05:00.001-07:00

NEW interview w/John Trudell

click here

Annie Mae Pictou and Nogeeshik Aquash

marriage at seige of Wounded Knee, S.D. April 12, 1973

scroll down regarding a call for help
or click here

Annie Mae alive at Christmas, 1975...?

2006-08-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

A call for help regarding the whereabouts of Annie Mae
during Christmas 1975, early 1976

Annie Mae Pictou and Nogeeshik Aquash

marriage at seige of Wounded Knee, S.D. April 12, 1973

Some say she was already dead. Killed Dec. 12.

Others have always believed she was alive.
John Graham Defense Committee, headed up by Matthew Lien,
is now searching for info about Annie Mae.
Anyone who might have seen her, helped her, had coffee and talked family.

More Info
Please contact: info@grahamdefense.org
(see their appeal by scrolling down on this page)
(posted Aug. 2006)

BLOG menu
more about these events...click here
NEW.......Annie Mae's Family RESPONSE, 07
read Annie Mae letter, from jail...click here

click here..interview with John Graham .

a link to a NEW interview with Annie Mae attorney,
Bruce Ellison June, 2006 in Vancouver, B.C.

Here is the actual "appeal"
from John Graham Defense Committee
sent out on August 3, 2006:

---------------------------------
Dear friends of John Graham,

APPEAL TO COME FORWARD

We would like to relay this important and personal
appeal from John Graham, with respect to the

whereabouts of Anna Mae Aquash from the time when she
was left at a house on Pine Ridge, where she thought
she would be safe, until the time when she was found
murdered. We believe there must be people who saw her.
during that time, and any information would be
extremely helpful as we seek the truth.

Please, anyone who had contact with Anna Mae Aquash
between late 1975 and when she was found murdered on
February 24, 1976, come forward and contact the John
Graham Defense Committee.

All communications will be kept strictly confidential.

John Graham Defense Committee
15 Firth Road
Whitehorse, YukonÊ Y1A 4R5Ê Canada

Tel: (867) 633-2480
E-mail: info@grahamdefense.org
Website: www.grahamdefense.org

ALSO from the Graham Defense Committee
BRUCE ELLISON INTERVIEW

We are also pleased to tell you about the posting of a
transcript from a 25-minute video interview of Bruce
Ellison, Leonard Pelletier's first lawyer, which was
taped on June 26, 2006 by Daniel Gautreau
(www.danieltv.com). The interview was taped while
Bruce Ellison was attending the World Peace Forum in
Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

Following is an excerpt from the interview:

Bruce Ellison: "The [US] government is not seriously
interested in solving the murder of Anna Mae Aquash
Pictou. What the government is trying to do is to
utilize her murder, currently, in an effort to paint
the American Indian Movement as a terrorist, violent
organization rather than being so many of the victims.
One of the questions that many people have had for 30
years has been, why has there been no interest in all
of the murders, including Anna Mae's, on the Pine
Ridge reservation? To select her murder out alone is
to suggest, and in fact has shown to be, a politically
motivated manipulation of both her family and of the
community, in an effort to ignore the other murders
that the government was so directly complicit in."

The transcript is now available at
www.grahamdefense.org

letter from friends of John Graham

2006-06-25T23:38:00.001-07:00

written by Matthew Lien
John Graham defense committee
June 25, 2006

posted here as current update to the ongoing fight against extradition, by John Graham. His recent court appearance... in the Jumping Bull shootout time of year.

(please click here --scroll down--for more information on the John Graham case)

June 25, 2006

Dear friends of John Graham,

As you may be aware, John appeared at the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, June 23. This hearing was procedural and lasted only a few minutes. The purpose of the hearing was simply to extend the conditions of John's bail and to set another appearance date. This next date, set for October 30, is expected to be another routine appearance as John's legal team continues to prepare their appeal of the lower court's decision.

We had hoped the court would review and redefine John's bail conditions to allow him greater freedom as he continues to develop his defense. But to our great dissatisfaction, the court continues to impose extremely restrictive conditions of house arrest which deny John's right to seek employment. The contributions which some of you have provided are thus greatly appreciated and so important. We thank you sincerely for this heartfelt assistance.

In other developments, John's legal team had made a formal appeal to the Minister of Justice Vic Toews, urging him to intervene based on a number of legal arguments. On June 13, the Justice Minister ruled that he would not intervene based on these arguments alone. While the decision is a disappointment and reflects what we feel is a lack of awareness of the broader realities driving this case, the information provided in his decision sheds some light on the Minister's thoughts about this matter facing John Graham, and also points to key aspects of importance which we intend to build on. John's legal team plans to appeal the Minister's decision.

While the law permits separate proceedings for both of these appeals, John's lawyers may present their arguments for both appeals during the same appearance, which will likely occur sometime next year.

In the Justice Minister's explanation, he makes reference to the letters of support, stating that "hundreds of people have written in support of Mr. Graham. It is commendable that Mr. Graham is so highly regarded and enjoys the support of so many." Your letters of support are making an impression, and we do intend to have hundreds more delivered in the coming months to reaffirm John's broad support among Canadians and others in the international community who are watching this case closely.

While the United States' case against John attempts to throw up a smoke screen and distract us from powerful indicators pointing to the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the murder of Anna Mae Aquash, it remains John's sincerest hope that his struggle will bring more attention to the truth of what really happened to his friend, and to so many others working for a common cause.

The worldwide forceful confiscation of native lands for mineral and other resources has a long and bloody history ― as is reflected in the matter facing John and its connection to the uranium-rich native lands of South Dakota ― a struggle which continues to this day. Around the world, aboriginal people are striving to retain their heritage and their connection to the land; be it on the shores of eastern Taiwan where the Amis tribe is working to reclaim their age-old ceremonial site under the threat of tourism development, or on the shores of arctic Alaska where the Gwich'in people are striving to protect the sacred caribou calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development.

The case against John Graham reflects all such struggles and the atrocities which are often committed in such confiscation of sacred lands.

In recent years, the United States government has shown itself to be largely unconcerned with the sovereignty of foreign countries and has demonstrated grave human rights abuses. It is therefore alarming that the Canadian government implemented an Extradition Act in 1999 which allows extradition of Canadian citizens to the US with merely a summary of evidence, while disallowing any examination of that evidence to ensure it is sufficient, accurate, and not fabricated.

In John's case, it has already been shown that key witnesses and evidence are not available (or never were), bringing a cloud of suspicion over the United States' entire case and judicial process ― it seems the US government would prefer the Canadian justice system were blind, deaf and mute to their true intentions.

But the people of Canada are not!

And so we ask those of you who believe in truth and justice to speak out now! To aid in this effort, our website provides an updated postcard with Canada's newly appointed Minister of Justice Vic Toews addressed as the recipient, and a leaflet to help educate more people about the matter facing John Graham.

Your letters to Canada's Minister of Justice and to your Members of Parliament, opposing the extradition of John Graham and requesting full disclosure of the United States' evidence, are crucial. Only the Minister of Justice has the ability to demand disclosure. Your Members of Parliament have the ability to further encourage the Justice Minister to do so, and to demand that no extradition shall be granted without such disclosure and a thorough inspection of the evidence. If the case against John Graham were truly so watertight, then what does the United States government have to fear?

It would also be helpful to remind the Justice Minister in your letters that Leonard Peltier's extradition from Canada was based on fraudulent affidavits which are known to have been given under coercion and duress administered by the FBI. And while the Justice Minister appears to consider the Peltier conviction as evidence that a fair trial can be achieved in the United States, we wish to remind the Minister that human rights groups around the world view the Peltier conviction as one of the gravest miscarriages of justice ever witnessed in a United States courtroom, and one that was fraught with racism against aboriginal people. It is a feather in the hat of those who championed the FBI's COINTELPRO campaign against Native Americans.

And so, too, would be the wrongful conviction of John Graham.

We also urge you to encourage other individuals, organizations, First Nation governments, and unions, to send their own letters. Additionally, letters to the editors for publication in your regional newspapers are a powerful method of informing the public about the alarming lack of evidence required for extradition, and to remind the Canadian government of its responsibility to protect its citizens from a zealous neighbouring nation with a track record of racism and abuse, especially with respect to the matter facing John Graham.

The case against John Graham has become a symbol for those who believe in human rights and sovereignty, and it will surely set a precedent ― for better or worse ― as to how much power the United States government has to pluck any Canadian from this sovereign soil.

This case also remains a shining light of hope that the truth about Anna Mae's death shall one day be known.

Contrary to the likely intentions of those who have fabricated historic events in hopes of concealing the truth, we remain convinced that the case against John Graham will further entrench the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its conspirators in their culpability for the death of Anna Mae and scores of others.

We remain deeply grateful for those who stand with us in solidarity for aboriginal justice everywhere. Our commitment to the truth remains unshaken, so that Anna Mae's death and the important cause for which she lived and died, will not have been in vain.

Matthew Lien
President and Media Relations
John Graham Defense Committee

Website: www.grahamdefense.org
E-mail:info@grahamdefense.org

ways to move around

2006-03-03T20:04:00.000-08:00

BLOG links
2006...click here

2004-2005 see below

12.04 Hearings in B.C. , includes daily accounts
2.05 appeal
2.05 Canada reacts to old AIM
3.05 extradited, released on bail

3:05 Tribal Elders
11.05 appeal extended
11.05 public reaction
11. 05 Canadian extradition policies

Introduction to the Blog........

contact info:
po box 3026
ashland, or. 97520
watersongs@gmail.com

FOUR WAYS TO NAVIGATE ALL THE John Graham EXTRADITION PAGES:
... you can scroll down and locate the sidebar
... use SEARCH button at the TOP OF THE PAGE to locate facts/info
... read and click on links in the following few paragraphs
... click here for access to other work by me, created as a result of these events

OVERVIEW
Over the months until John Graham has to appear in court again (Nov. 2005) I'll be adding things which keep people's hearts, minds awake. To the ravages of Time. And how we can collectively heal. Through love and respect of self and other. Becoming, in this way, One.

If you are new to these pages, you might want to read a piece by me, antoinette nora claypoole, as an overview/commentary on the events surrounding the arrest of John Graham. It can be found here.... America's Addiction to Lynching Indians.

CURRENT SUMMARY

The hearings to extradite John Graham to the United States from British Columbia, Canada began in December 2004. They continued into late February 2005. Synchronistically right around the timeAnnie Mae's body was found, 29 years ago.

At that time, Feb. 21, 2005, the Canadian Government ruled to send John Graham to the U.S. to be tried in Rapid City, South Dakota. Graham's attorney, Terry LaLiberte, plans an appeal to that ruling and John Graham was set free on bail, under house arrest, from March 2005 until November 7, 2005. He has to return to court then. To see what the powers that be will provide. Next. In November, 2005, exactly 30 years after Anna Mae "went missing", John Graham's extradition appeal was delayed until June, 2006. He was released on bail, under house arrest.

In June 2006 his appeal to the legality of Canadian extradition laws allowed for an extension of hearings, Graham's next court date being October, 2006. Click here for update from June 2006. Graham remains released on bail, under house arrest.

...Graham's last court date October, 2006 Click here for details
Graham remains released on bail, under house arrest

website for John Graham by his family

Please note: some of these pieces were written as part of my coverage of the hearings for KPFK Pacifica Radio, Los Angeles. A far-out public radio station committed to covering issues other media won't touch. Including the trials of former members of the American Indian Movement.

30 years later...

2005-12-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

Recently I have received emails which inquire as to my current position on John Graham. As well as people concerned about the authenticity of the letter written by Anna Mae Aquash posted via this blog. I believe it to be hers. It came to me from what I consider a "reliable" source. And. If anyone has a copy of Annie Mae's handwriting and wants to compare it with the handwritten letter I have, do be in touch.

So. Here are some replies:

1. about Graham. Yes I did recently say that I wonder about a government that continues to allow an accused murderer to be free for so long on the streets of Vancouver.

This does not mean that I have changed my opinion that John Graham will never receive a fair trial in racist South Dakota. I support his and the defense committee efforts to fight extradition to the United States.

For no evidence against Graham (from the U.S.) has been authenticated.

That means few of us can see/know if the claims are substantial. Graham inisists on his innocence. And even the courts of Canada have not looked into whether there is anything but video of a drunk man convicted of murdering Annie Mae, naming Graham as the actual killer. There is no review of evidence, at all, under the new Canadian extradition laws.

And even though in the case of Leonard Peltier the evidence was horribly fabricated (ie Mytle Poor Bear affadavits), at least back in the 1970's the United States had to PRETEND to offer tangible evidence against someone they wanted to try in their courts. Now, with the new Canadian law, there is little accountability regarding WHY a person is extradited.

So. I totally support the appeal of Graham's attorney, which challenges the legality of their Canadian law, and suggests that people not be sent stateside without a substantial review of the charges/evidence.

As many know, the evidence against Graham in the murder of Anna Mae Aquash has NOT been examined by Canadian court. Which is what disturbs me greatly. The ruling last March to extradite Graham to the U.S., "trusted" unseen/unexamined evidence the U.S. claims to have against him.

How appalling, unjust and perplexing.

For Graham and his family deserve the right to know/see "proof" of these charges (if there IS any, other than hearsay). Annie Mae's family deserves to know that U.S. governement in fact DOES have evidence which substantiates their claim about Graham. Yes. Arlo Looking Cloud was convicted of her murder. And he, in his drunkeness named Graham. But is this really evidence. Anyone can say anything. We all know how that works.

A friend of mine and I have this joke. We say "hey. Let's go down to the coffee shoppe this morning mingle around and find out what we did last night..."

He said she said is NOT evidence about a murder. Not reviewing evidence against Graham is, to me, cause for an appeal. Based on the Canadian extradition laws being unsubstantial. Which IS all in the making. For Graham.

So what about my statement regarding "walking the streets of Vancouver". (seen in a prior post in this blog). As some of us awaited whether Graham would be re-released, I put myself deeply inside the reality that no trial has yet ocurred. No evidence has been reviewed. And wondered how a government can NOT require review of evidence before extraditing thus not really know if the accused is IN FACT dangerous. I am not saying Graham is necessarily dangerous. What I am saying is the Canadian government admittedly has not seen evidence against the accused, so how can they live with the fact that they keep re-releasing people while an appeal happens?

This is a rhetorical question. I don't expect any answers.

It is just alarms me that the Canadian government on one hand loosens their extradition laws, says "yes. go to the states they say you killed someone" with no authentication of evidence, and at the same time lets the accused people wander around in their country. That is, the law does not match their actions. By rereleasing people on bail Canada seems to be saying we don't take the accusation from the States very seriously. Okay. But what if the U.S. DOES have authenticated evidence against a person. And no one has taken the time to examine it. Then there might be something for which a person needs to be extradited. Before more crimes happen.

What I mean here is that no one but the prosecutors in South Dakota know what type of evidence is held against Graham, and even though various independent journalists etc have claimed to hear confessions, tapes and the like, no Canadian courts have truly reviewed the evidence. Thus, they really don't know what/who they are dealing with.

So. What all this means is that I still support the fight against extradition and believe that Canada needs to be more accountable to their citizens AND the concerns of her neighbors. If a person is accused of murder, the courts should be examining that accusation IMMEDIATELY. NOT releasing someone on bail for endless months/years.That means the law needs to be changed. To require examination of charges/evidence against anyone. And that is what Graham's appeal is designing.

2. about Annie Mae's letter. It came to me a few years ago via Paul Demain, a reliable source in these matters. A journalist with an honorable history of investigating the murder of Annie Mae. I have not heard from Demain that he now claims it to be false. Still. I have suggested for those still wondering, to contact Demain directly.

Or perhaps find family/close friends of Annie Mae who may have copies of her handwriting. And i am certainly willing to compare the writing. With my copy. I myself believe it is a true letter and yet would certainly welcome the opportunity to compare/share thoughts on this.

Also, it has come to me that one of Annie Mae's daughters read the letter a couple years ago. She did not dispute that her mom wrote it. If any more info comes to me about the letter, I will post it here.

&*&*&*&
Meantime, closing in on everyone is the 30 year mark of Annie Mae's murder. Honoring her words. Her wild young committment to Indian sovereignty. Is the way. I will spend the next 2 weeks. Also. Imagining that more of her writings/letters come to us. So we can know the woman FROM HER OWN WORDS. Not the dead icon saint martyr reality to which her memory sometimes gets fed. Like the beast that eats women who are strong. The wrong here is in forgetting the woman herself.

For nothing quenches thirst like the watersongs of truth. In her letter she talks of being happy. During those radical years we knew were doing something "right" if the system bothered to track us down. We were glad to make them crazy pissed and felt a sense of family in it. Like that. Somehow now. Years later. The toxic air will clear. To breathe. To save the roots of any medicine alive. As Annie Mae can be known. For all the things she did. And was. Not buried beneath all the talk. Of all the people. Who never could protect her well enough.

There is just this way she was. Watersongs that become the flowers over all the graves of death walk. Still bittersweet inside the talk of justice. Is there anthing but Sun rising to set to rise again? To pull the ocean tides inside sometimes truth is the turn around. The other day a 10 year nephew asked me, "if the Earth is always spinning why aren't we?" My reply. "We are. Feel it. We are part of the whole dance." He smiled deep. Relaxing into the reality that we are all in this together.

antoinette nora claypoole
copyright 2005
All People are One

official extradition policies from Dept. of Justice, Canada

2005-11-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

for those who want to know the facts of extradition, here is a document
solicited from the Chris Girouard, Dept. of Justice, Canada. CGirouard@justice.gc.ca

Fact Sheet

Canada’s extradition Process
Request from the United States

PROVISIONAL ARREST

The United States may make a request for the provisional arrest for a person who is wanted to stand trial for the extradition of sentence or the enforcement of a sentence already imposed upon the person. Extradition can only be granted for conduct which constitutes an offence punishable by the laws of Canada and which is punishable in both countries by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

Upon arrest, the person will be brought before a judge. This person is entitled to a bail hearing.

The United States has 60 days from the date of provisional arrest to provide Canada with its formal request for extradition and supporting documents.

Counsel with the International Assistance Group, on behalf of the Minister of Justice, must determine within 30 days after the deadline for the receipt of the request and supporting documents, whether an Authority to proceed will be issued.

The Authority to proceed authorizes an extradition hearing to be held to consider whether the arrested person should be committed for extradition.

Counsels with the Federal Prosecution Service have carriage of cases on behalf of the United States. They initiate and conduct proceedings before a judge of the court of jurisdiction to seek an order of committal for extradition.

(IF SOUGHT TO STAND TRIAL)

At the extradition hearing, the judge determines if the evidence provided by the United States is such that the person would be committed for trial in Canada if the conduct had occurred in this country.

(IF SOUGHT FOR THE IMPOSITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF SENTENCE)

At the extradition hearing, the judge determines if the conviction was in respect of conduct that would be punishable in Canada.

If the presiding judge is satisfied with the evidence, he or she will order the person detained or dictate bail conditions pending the decision of the Minister of Justice on surrender. Otherwise, the person is discharged and released.

The judicial phase of the extradition process is a determination only that the evidence is sufficient to warrant that the person be extradited. It is not a trial. If the person is wanted for prosecution, a trial will take place in the United States, if surrender is ordered.

HERE IS WHERE WE ARE NOW IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS
JOHN GRAHAM is now awaiting an appeal hearing.
The date has NOT been set yet.
His case has NOT GONE to the Minister of Justice, back east, for a final decision.
According to Girouard, the Minister Justice HAS NOT ruled on the case of John Graham, yet.

John Graham will have a hearing in
Vancouver which appeals the constitutional legality of this entire extradtion process.
AFTER his appeal his case goes to Minister of Justice.

Here are the rest of the procedures:
(from the original document sent by GIrourard)

The Minister of Justice makes the ultimate decision with respect to whether the person will be surrendered to the United States.

At this phase of the process, commonly referred to as the executive or ministerial phase, the Minister will receive submissions from the person committed for extradition or counsel with respect to why he or she should not be surrendered, or concerning any conditions that should be attached to that surrender.

The person may appeal the decision of the extradition judge and/or apply for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to a Court of appeal.

If the appellate court upholds the decision of the judge and the Minister, the person may seek leave to appeal either or both decisions to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The above does not take into account the possibility for any person to waive all or part of the extradition process.

October 2001

Graham Bail extended to June 2006

2005-11-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

As you read this blog, educating yourself on the facts and designs of John Graham as accused murderer of Annie Mae, create your own opinions about who and how and why. Start this process of self knowing by reading ANNIE MAE herself. www.anniemaeletter.blogspot.com. Read this letter she wrote from a jail cell, thirty years ago, just before she disappeared. Then read the rest. Of all this complicated brutal reality.
antoinette
nov. 28, 2005

&*&*&*&*&
And so just as the defense had hoped. A one hit wonder of a bail review. This morning John Graham surrendered to Canada, at 9 am. To be released within the hour, his bail extended until June 23, 2006. Unless his appeal hearing is scheduled earlier. He would then be required to "surrender" to the courts. On the appeal date. Robert Robideau, with whom I spoke following the ruling this morning, said "It is frustrating. For all of us who want to see resolve in her murder. Annie Mae was a member of our group, Northwest AIM. I feel personally responsible for seeing that this case comes to trial".

Still. The news of Graham's easy bail extension is obviously like the tempermental November skies. Much more complicated than appears.

Graham's "Freedom" depends on various timelines/dates being met. (none of which involved the Minister of Justice in Ottawa, at this time). Consider.....the notes below. Are from a series of phone conversations I had today with various Court "officials", including the Court of Appeals in Vancouver, B.C. and Chris Girouard, Media Relations with the Dept. of Justice in Ottawa.

1. by Nov. 14th, 2005 Graham's defense must present an argument regarding his appeal. The Crown ( prosecutor) than has 30 days to present THEIR argument. At that time an actual appeal hearing DATE will be set.

2. On whatever date that appeal is scheduled to ocurr, Graham will be required to surrender and his current bail extension will be null and void. That is, if the appeal date is BEFORE June 23, 2006 Graham will be required to surrender to Canada.

3. The appeal will be heard by three judges who may rule THAT day regarding the legality of Graham's extradition. AT which time the committal order would sit with the Minister of Justice for final approval. However, the judges may choose to way for unlimited amount of time, to rule. Whether Graham is AGAIN released on bail is determined at that time.

4. Minister of Justice, to whom Annie Mae's daughter suggests people write, will not rule on the case until the all of the above events happen.

5. all this means that if people want resolve in this case, they might consider contacting the Crown in Vancouver, B.C. and encourage a speedy ruling once the date is set.

By Dec. 14th we should know when the appeal hearing will happen.
But what none of us know is whether or not John Graham will in fact be free unitil June 23, 2006. There is a chance, if the Crown pushes for speedy appeal, that the hearing would happen sooner and destiny be written differently.

All the need and desire for resolve in this case rests with how effectively AND quickly judges decide the legality of an appeal. Remember. This is NOT sitting with the Minister Justice yet. Contacting his office might be like playing telephone with the power out. However.

A group in Ottawa, assisting with international extradtion IS acting as liason in cases like this, the ARE aware of the Graham case and might in fact welcome comments/questions. According to Chris Girouard of Canadian Dept. of Justice "all extradition goes through the international assistance group. We all work under the same umbrella".

When I move away from this Portland Oregon public library into a place where the clock is not ticking me away, I will post a link with phone number/email to this int'l group. They just might be the place where people with desire to comment on the extradition of John Graham can be heard. And. I know no Canadian court can really create a trial for John Graham. Imagining justice is just so impossible. Still. When does the world shift away from notions of consequence to motions of balance.

Perhaps some international extradtion fairness group can pull clouds away from this quarter moon night. Or decode events which keep so many in this haze of uncertainty. Meantime, I do wonder, seriously about a goverment who allows accused murderers to keep wandering about the city. Yes. It is house arrest. But most unsettling still. To imagine how a person accused of murder. And all involved must feel. Time so long between what appears to be freedom and what so quickly became death. Bails extended into what seems like eternity. How do they serve the truth?

&*&*&*&*&
copyright 2005
antoinette nora claypoole
All People are One.

Annie Mae's words....if not extradited, a trial where?

2005-11-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here. A LINK to aa letter supposedly written by Annie Mae.
In November 1975.
Perhaps reading it can help.....

Some people want John Graham extradited to the United States.
To establish his guilt or innocence in the murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash. Others of us feel that a trial in the U.S. would prove to be nothing more than a collection of hearsay he said she saids set up by government agents who still hate the American Indian Movement. So. What is left to do? Either support Annie Mae’s family and call for Graham’s extradition. Or support Graham and his supporters in their claim that his extradition is illegal and unfair.
Yet. in my mind in heart there is yet a third action people can take.

Read Annie Mae's own words. Do the the math. Educate yourselves on dates and times. Silver rings and friends in the night. Make your own decisions. Based on some things Annie Mae writes. From a jail cell. Not long before she "disappeared". Here. An offering from Annie Mae.

BlogThis!
Annie Mae (Naguset Eask, Sun Woman)
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Letter Written in November 1975
(Please Note: This letter came to me about 4 years ago. I have kept it within a manila envelope, wondering when/how to share it with others. As this weekend presses against many maybe Annie Mae’s own words can put things into a necessary perspective. I assume it is a legitimate letter, as the source was reliable, and the copy from which I typed here, was of the handwritten original. I have NOT made any spelling changes, nor changed the format of Annie Mae’s letter in any way). a.claypoole 11.5.05.

Letter by Annie Mae (Aquash)
November, 1975

Hello my family,

It is wonderful to write to you. I am actually pleased to be able to take the time to write to you all. I love you all very much. I am happy and doing fine. I am writing to you from the Vancouver, Washington jail but will be transferred to South Dakota within the next day or so to face trial there. Monday, the 24th of November is the big day. Contact Rapid City and you can find out how I made out and where I will be sent (Ha, Ha) then write to me. Matheline—I gave my silver ring to our attorney “Beverly Axelrod” to give to you. You are to deliver it to John. She ^(here an arrow pointing to the name Beverly) went back to San Francisco where she lives but I gave her your number. My health is perfect, my moral and spirit are even more than perfect. I’ve become stronger than ever. Kamook and I are in the same cell and that’s makes it worthwhile. The whole incident happened because of informer A & B as the FBI refer to them in their report—which we saw yesterday—from the Seattle area—Informer A has informed on at least 100 incidents already and Informer B on 20 occasions. I hope the fuckers wake up some morning missing their jewels (depending on whether they’re male or female) I’ll have the lawyer send you the detailed report. I am going to drop my court appointed lawyer in Pierre and have my trial consolidated with Dino’s and Nilak’s. How did you like my new name? (Naguset Eask). It means Sun Woman. They asked my birthdate and I said In the Spring moon in the year 1945-They kinna thought I was obnoxious. What a redneck town we were arrested at—They thought Indians were reincarnated that nite (savage style of course) The goddam state patrolemen almost shit their pants-They almost shot Kamook & baby. She had to roll out of the patroleman’s line of fire with baby-just 3 weeks from delivery too.

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Of course they try to impress the public that they did not know and do not mention it in their report. But anyone 3 weeks from delivery is certainly going to be big and obvious especially 10’ from a glaring spotlight-coming out with hand up and facing barrel of a shotgun and then being forced to lay on ground after reaching for baby. And that fucker knew about the baby because not only did he see the baby but the baby was screaming when he started firing directly at us. This is my only chance to swear at those bastard chicken-shit fuckers. My letter is going out through my lawyer and it will be the last uncensored letter I can write out so I am taking advante of it . After this all my letters will be read-going out & coming in. I would appreciate a personal hello to Ernie & Mark for me. And all my friends. I am already thinking of all sorts of games to pass the time away (like the moccasin game) One disadvantage of cutting my hair was-the patrolman that made me & others lay face down on highway kept referring to me as “feller.” That insidious son of a bitch-if I was a feller-he would have know it for sure. They are of course going crazy in Oregon-They haven’t had anything violent or vicious to do –(that they can justify, anyway) for at least 6 years, other than deny the poor, pick on drunks and refer to the Spanish as “wetbacks.” They’ve been sitting around hating other states and growing wrinkles. The 2 patroleman were claiming that they got shot at-“I can hear the bullets whiz right by my head!”, yelling into radio they became famous and brave overnight. That baby had more guts than they did. They are (words unreadable)

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how they treat us here in Washington. There is a big Indian support group here. But I’m sure that as soon as I return to South Dakota I will be harrased. I am expecting some surprises there. They did not charge Kamook or I in the Oregon incident. But we are waiting for something sneaky. The FBI walk around with mirrors on their shoes in Oregon. They really watch their ass’s (Ha, Ha) The State Patrol are naturally running around in confusion (like a chicken slaughter house scene) no heads. Being inferior to the FBI of course and then the U.S. Marshalls acting so diplomatic. And since we are in the custody of the U.S. Marshalls the Co. jail we are in are looking like a bunch of nuns and priests trying to impress the Pope who just flew in from the Vatican. These “enemy” are sure fucked up. Well so much for that. This jail is so cold I am sitting at this table with a blanket wrapped around me. We have a broken window that they tried to patch up but the winds are strong today. It dropped to 15 degrees last nite and I’m sure it colder today. On our way over here yesterday I had the opportunity to gaze upon Mt. Hood. What a beautiful sight. Got to sign off-lawyer to take letter out.

Love forever
Annie Mae (Aquash)
“Naguset Eask”

Contact Canadian authorities, as suggested by Annie Mae’s family.
But request that if Graham is not extradited, he be given A TRIAL IN CANADA.
Is that even an option?

in the Heart the mind decides....Rapid City trial looms

2005-11-04T14:41:00.001-08:00

LETTER FROM JOHN GRAHAM (while under house arrest)
November 2, 2005

To All My Friends and Supporters:

I would like to take this time to extend greetings to you and am hoping this letter finds you happy and healthy.

First I want to say thank you from myself and family to all of you out there that have been supporting me. Your support has all helped my family and myself in getting through this ordeal. From the time of my arrest up to the present, family, friends and good people from all over have stepped forward and offered their support in one form or another.

For helping get the word out about what has been happening, I thank family and very close personal friends. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write immediate letters of support or make phone calls and e-mails to the right people on my behalf. This aided me in my getting bail. I am grateful for all those family members and close friends who managed to come up with property and cash to secure my bail even though I have no criminal record. I was put on a very short leash (house arrest) and am not allowed, other than for legal reasons or a medical emergency, to leave the house. I am not allowed to work even though my employer was more than willing to employ me and has work for me.

Throughout all of this so far the experience has taught me valuable lessons about true friendships and for this I will always be grateful to all of you who have stepped forward - thank you.

I would like at this time to ask you all for your continued support and efforts to stop this extradition. Letters to the Federal Justice Minister are important at this time requesting that he request full disclosure on several matters in the USA’s summary of evidence. At this time, only the Justice Minister has the ability to demand disclosure. All Canadians should be concerned that the Extradition Act 1999 disregards and dismisses Canadian Sovereignty and our Canadian Constitutional rights and allows the United States to seek and be granted extradition on the basis of hearsay and other evidence that does not meet the legal standard to warrant a trial in Canadian Courts. Again, I thank you for your continued support with your letters to the Justice Minister and copies to the Prime Minister as well your local member of parliament.
I would also ask that you visit our Website www.grahamdefense.org and sign our online petition to stop this abuse of process. I thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

John Graham

&*&*&*&*&

Today some inside Indian Country are wondering, awfully, about Monday, Nov. 7th.
And everyone is now being called to help decide the fate.

Though John Graham and his supporters consider, as do I, an extradition stateside a dog and pony show reminiscent of corrupt Cointelpro times..there is an essential question which resounds in my mind and etches intself into my heart:

If Graham does NOT come to the states, where IS the trial which deals clearly with the accusations made about his involvement in Annie Mae's death????

Is there talk of a trial in Canada? Not that I can hear. Only the echoes of unfairness and sovereignty. But nothing speaking to the resolve Annie Mae and her family deserve. In this brutal mess. How can we be asked to guess as to her last days? Does Graham say, "give me a trial in my own country". Is that what his letter (posted below) suggests? I can't find that request. Yet I so hoped to find such. And I feel deeply that Anna Mae's people deserve some answers. Again. To the Graham supporters: Where is the trial, if not in Rapid?

So. This is the hard place where I live. In all this. Like cave dwelling during the deluge. I seek answers to how we survive. Times of such complex betrayals. And I believe together we can undo what governments have tried to slay. Still. The dark of day looms. And the letters from both families design haunting petroglyphs. Consider.......

Annie Mae's family/daughters have, themselves, created a call for help. They delivered, via a webpage created by Jordan Dill, a plea on Nov. 3, 2005 asking for Graham to be sent south (click to view). Even as John Graham himself wrote a letter to his supporters the day before (Nov. 2, 2005), after many months of silence. Asking for letter writing regarding Canadian sovereignty. With all this, still, the entire outcome is clouded. (see end of this entry for copies of these letters).

As the haunting of Annie Mae's murder continues, quite unresolved. As so many wonder whether her accused murderer will stand trial in Rapid City. Will a judge in Vancouver, British Columbia rule to send John Graham south? The uncertainty unnerving.

The question really is, simply, will a Canadian court find it essential to delay Graham's extradition. Based on an appeal his attorney has created. Claiming that Canadian extradition laws are illegal and deserve to be challenged. Will a judge say " let the guy fly around Vancouver while the legalities of extradition are discussed" OR will s/he rule that enough time has been bought. That a trial about Graham's supposed involvement in Annie Mae's murder must now go forward.

How can the fates of so many families rest in the mind of one person?

Like a storm looming, once again, over the Olympic peninsula, the truth in all of this seems horribly elusive. And a phone call to Vancouver finds that silence seems to be the mantra of the day. Neither Defense Committee members nor attorney are talking much about this upcoming court date.What I could snag is that it appears that Monday is a one hit wonder. No one expects there to be a series of hearings next week. Monday is it. John Graham is up for "bail review". According to his attorney's office.

That is legal talk for deciding whether the "house arrest" bail under which Graham has been living will be continued. While an appeal is presented/created. Will the courts deny an extension of Graham's current bail conditions? Will he be sent south to be tried for the murder of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash. A woman, his friend, who disappeared 29 years ago this month. A woman he drove to Rapid City and claims to have never seen again. How will anyone know if no one speaks of this again. And so decide to write someone. About all this. Together we can make voice an honoring song. Long. And into the night.

&*&*&*&*&*&
copyright 2005
All People Are One
antoinette nora claypoole
&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

&*&*&*&*&

LETTER FROM ANNIE MAE'S FAMILY

The Maloney Pictou Family asks for Support to insure the Extradition of John Graham

November 3, 2005

Annie Mae Pictou Murdered mother, sister, woman, human and native rights advocate who was viciously beaten, raped and then executed.

Annie Mae Pictou Aquash was a member of the Mi’kmaq Nation from Nova Scotia, Canada. A dedicated womens’ and native rights activist, she traveled in the early 1970s’to South Dakota to participate in taking a stand in defending the rights of indigenous people who could not help themselves. Her dedication and ability to stand strong in the face of adversity eventually would get her taken out and executed. Because she questioned the actions and morality of a few individuals it was decided that she no longer needed to have a voice and did not deserve the right to live.

In the last few days of her life Annie Mae suffered indignities no human being or woman should ever have to suffer. Her murderers have walked free for 29 years.

In March 2003, the United States Department of Justice indicted, one of two suspects, Arlo Looking Cloud. Looking Cloud was tried and convicted by a jury in Rapid City, South Dakota of First Degree Murder on February 6th, 2004. A second suspect arrested December 1st, 2003 and charged with murder is John Graham a.k.a. John Boy Patton. In December 2004 Graham was brought before a B.C. supreme court Judge for an extradition trial. On February 21st 2005, Judge Bennett ruled that John Graham should be extradited to the United States to stand trial in his involvement in the Murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash. He currently waits out on bond with restrictions for Justice Minster Irwin Cotlers final decision on surrender.

We are asking for a letter of support to be sent to Justice Minister Irwin Cotler asking for the timely surrender of John Graham to the United States. We are at a critical stage in this travesty and need your voice and words, in support of ours, addressing the Canadian Government in knowing that after waiting for 29 years we will no longer accept delays in allowing this severe violation and neglect of human rights to continue.

The Honourable Irwin CotlerMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, OntarioCanada
K1A 0H8
Email: The Honourable Irwin Cotler

Please send a copy of your correspondance for our files as well to: Denise Pictou-Maloney

In memory of our Mother, Sister, and Aunt, The Maloney Pictou Family

wandering

2005-03-25T19:05:00.000-08:00

...inside her eyes the shade of river tasted spring....

entire blog written, created, breathed with heart
for Anna Mae Pictou Aquash
and all who died at Pine Ridge during the Reign of Terror, 1970's
by antoinette nora claypoole

Intro

contact info:
1257 siskiyou blvd. #180
ashland, or. 97520
antoinettenora@yahoo.com

FOUR WAYS TO NAVIGATE ALL THE John Graham EXTRADITION PAGES:
... you can scroll down and read from most recent post to the very first entry
... find the table of contents at the end of this section ( a work in progress)
... read and click on links in the following few paragraphs
... click here for access to other work by me, created as a result of these events

OVERVIEW
Over the months until John Graham has to appear in court again (Nov. 2005) I'll be adding things which keep people's hearts, minds awake. To the ravages of Time. And how we can collectively heal. Through love and respect of self and other. Becoming, in this way, One.

If you are new to these pages, you might want to read a piece by me, antoinette nora claypoole, as an overview/commentary on the events surrounding the arrest of John Graham. It can be found here.... America's Addiction to Lynching Indians.

CURRENT SUMMARY
The hearings to extradite John Graham to the United States from British Columbia, Canada began in December 2004. They continued into late February 2005. Synchronistically right around the time Annie Mae's body was found, 29 years ago.

At that time, Feb. 21, 2005, the Canadian Government ruled to send John Graham to the U.S. to be tried in Rapid City, South Dakota. Graham's attorney, Terry LaLiberte, plans an appeal to that ruling and John Graham was set free on bail, under house arrest, from March 2005 until November 7, 2005. He has to return to court then. To see what the powers that be will provide. Next.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

a work in progress........

Please note: some of these pieces were written as part of my coverage of the hearings for KPFK Pacifica Radio, Los Angeles. A far-out public radio station committed to covering issues other media won't touch. Including the trials of former members of the American Indian Movement.

"Star stitching...back in the States"

2005-03-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

links to recent blogs:
"The Place Where Spirits are Eaten" ...Feb. 24, 2005
for Anna Mae Pictou Aquash

"Twisted Bend in the Road: Graham Extradition"....Feb. 21, 2005
"Glass Box Realities: Graham freed on Bail"....March 2, 2005

Back in the States
March 5, 2005

After covering these hearings over the past three months--broadcasting periodic updates on KPFK, Pacifica Radio Los Angeles--only one thing is clear to me. That the process of naming someone guilty in the murder of Anna Mae remains one of the most difficult and painful realities of these times in Indian Country. And that the entire process reflects one of the most difficult and painful events to have emerged from the turbulent and revolutionary 1970's.

My coverage of these events has been intended to inspire justice. For all. Yes. Somewhat corny a paraphrase from the allegiance credo.

But a patriot I am at heart.

I believe in the original manifesto of the Thirteen Colonies. Written with the assitance of the Iroquois Nation. Because some of those founders are in my blood. The Claypoole brothers were part of why America became who she is. Those renegades sailed from oppressive England to the new world in the late 1600's. To become key players in the Revolutionary War.

One of them ended up married to Betsy Ross. Ah yes the star stitcher. Her husband, Claypoole's best friend, died in jail for being a revolutionary. Claypoole married her as a favor to his friend. These guys were in the Revolution. And I believe their quest for democracy and freedom lives within me.

What IS the flag I fly in all of this? Allegiance ???? It's "Indivisible." My entries and coverage. With the dream of " liberty and justice for all". I mean...it's a DNA thing.

antoinette nora claypoole
All People are One
copyright 2005

Graham released from jail...into custody of his daughter

2005-03-03T19:23:00.000-08:00

link to March 2, 2005 Glass Box Realities: Graham freed on Bail

PLEASE NOTE: None of my writings in this blog are affiliated with nor intend to be"endorsed" by The John Graham Defense Committee. This blog is a "rant". Ideas and events presented are meant to inspire creative, free thinking in the heart and mind of the readers. That is, this blog is meant to encourage readers to discover their own truths about the murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash.

Family time
Vancouver, B.C.

Naneek is a brave young woman who will be responsible for the whereabouts of her father, John Graham. Her resolve and spirited committment to his well-being is an inspiration to anyone who meets her. From now until Nov. 7 Naneek Bear Graham will be living with her father, keeping him under "house arrest". This is a huge and loving task. Keeping Dad from jail while being clear that it is resources from family which will keep him going. Not only will Graham being unable to take a job but under the conditions of bail he is restricted to very little activity beyond the confines of Naneek's apartment.

Most of Graham's time will obviously be spent with family. Baby sitting his granddaughter perhaps. Or helping Naneek stay clear and focused on her college studies.

House arrest or not the Graham family waited all day to greet John Graham and were all very grateful that he will not spend more nights in prison. While his appeal is being compiled the hope is that Canadian sentiment against America will crystallize to a point where Graham will never be sent into the racist zone of South Dakota. Gemstones of hope live within the Graham family this day.

antoinette nora claypoole
All People are One
copyright 2005

John Graham will be free on bail tomorrow...March 3...until Nov. 7, 2005 if all goes as planned....

2005-03-02T23:50:00.000-08:00

Glass Box Realities: John Graham freed on Bail
March 2, 2005
Vancouver, British Columbia
by antoinette nora claypoole

"I Chief Te Kapilano of the Squamish Nation exercise my inherent right from the Creator, I issue a Royal Decree for John Graham (Shad leetz):

1. Chief Te Kapilano state that John Graham (Sahd leetz) is under my terrirorial protection and trust.....

5. John Graham (Shad leetz) has assured me, he is not a flight risk and wants to see truth and justice prevail for Annie Mae Pcitou Maloney Aquash

6. To assure this Chief Te Kapilano exercise my inherent right from the Creator, to call for a Tribunal to be conducted to look at all apsects of this extradition case.

---- Chief Jerry Kapilano, Squamish nation
excerpts from an affadavit filed in Canadian court March 2, 2005

There is an eerie quiet that comes over places when the sun goes down. Flocks of crows gather here in Vancouver at twilight. The Squamish land of the North Shore peaked with snow. While crows push through to some place of repose. For awhile. Things like a Friendship Center drum and song from another time and place fill up the night. All this helps pass the time as family and friends wait for the release of John Graham.

Which will be tomorrow, March 3, 2005. As long as a promised signature arrives at the courthouse.

Tonight Graham awaits the final paperwork to be filed by one of his assurities, Jennifer Wade of Amnesty Int’l. She is the last of four people to "sign on"—just as they have this past year--taking responsibility for "watching over" Graham while he lives under house arrest. Wade did not arrive at the courthouse yesterday to sign and does not plan to go downtown until later this afternoon. This last signature is essential for Graham's release. Once Wade signs on, Graham bail terms will be similar to those of the past year.

House arrest, check in with authorities--twice a week instead of everyday AND to a more "official" spot. . Graham until now was required to go the police station. He'll now have something like a "probation officer". One of the few demands the prosecution attained in this hour long bail hearing. Graham still has limited provisions for doing much more than staying at home. No work, only a visit, three days a week, "to the gym". How 21st century we have become.

Grahams bail was approved in what was at times a tense and uncertain court hearing. Still, in the end the Judge ruled in favor of release. Jail is only an overnight stay. He will eventually be released to the home of his big-hearted daughter who moved to Vancouver from the Yukon to support her Dad through this. .

Terry LaLiberte, Graham's defense Counsel, said today in the courthouse lobby: "I gave him some prison songs to sing. While he is waiting for tomorrow". Everyone laughed with that sense of bittersweet relief that comes from such things as "free" on "bail". Graham will be released and does not need to appear in court again until Nov. 7, 2005. At which time the court will review the status of his appeal of extradition to the U.S.

As Graham was lead away from the courtroom this morning, he sensed that his release would be imminent. All along his counsel, Terry LaLiberte was "cautiously optimistic" about Graham being granted bail in the form of house arrest. While he awaits what promises to be a very long, thorough, appeal process. Graham’s sister Joan, whose prayers were with both Graham and the Pictou family, was not surprised when a Judge ruled to release Graham on bail later in the day. "The Creator is watching over my brother. I know this".

As Graham was lead away from the courtroom this morning, he sensed that his release would be imminent. All along his counsel, Terry LaLiberte was "cautiously optimistic" about Graham being granted bail in the form of house arrest. While he awaits what promises to be a very long, thorough, appeal process. Graham’s sister Joan, whose prayers were with both Graham and the Pictou family, was not surprised when a Judge ruled to release Graham on bail later in the day. "The Creator is watching over my brother. I know this".

And as Sheriff security took Graham to a holding facility this morning, Graham turned to the half filled courtroom and confidently flashed the peace sign. With arm raised in the air. It was as though, for a moment, the strength of another era overtook the place. Chief Jerry Kapilano was seated in the courtroom, supporting Graham and proud to have offered an affidavit in support of Graham’s release.

As the appeal process begins, more people surface in support of repealing the Canadian Extradition Act come forward. Charles Boylan, reporter/commentator for CFRO 102.7 FM "Co-op Radio" in Vancouver, B.C. believes that the current Extradition Act "denies Canadian sovereignty and bows to the bullying of the U.S". Much of the emergent support for Graham’s appeal was boosted last week when the presiding Judge over Graham’s extradition hearings-- Madame Justice Elizabeth Bennett—presented her decision. She explained that "certain evidence {from the U.S.} is not satisfactory; their sources are not justified".

According to the new Extradition Act of 1999 Bennett was restrained from any ruling based on evidence presented. Still, there are two other cases pending in the Canadian Supreme Court of Ottawa. Which claim similar problems as those which exist with the Graham case. That is, the denial of constitutional rights in regards to extradition to the U.S.

In the uncertain halls of a glass roofed court building family, friends and supporters will continue to wait for the release of John Graham. From the grasps of a justice system trying to be just. Although some mainstream media reported today that Graham was "incarcerated", few seem to ever take the story to it’s proper reality.

What this all means is that try as the United States has, John Graham has the fair and clear right as a Canadian citizen to NOT be incarcerated while his appeal is being built. "It was the only common gesture that COULD be done" says Counsel Terry LaLiberte regarding the ruling this afternoon.

Still. In Canada the accused sits alone. In the courtroom. The defendant is NOT seated next to their Counsel, as happens in the States. Rather, s/he is placed in the center of the court in a wood and "glass" box booth. Awaiting statements about truth. From Barristers and Crowns. The old colonizer world hovers over BOTH man made borders of North America. This morning Graham sat in that glass box which flanks Canadian courtrooms. Seeing him there felt like one of those stark winter twilights out near the Black Hills. Where his life took a hard turn as Graham helped his friend Annie Mae find a "safe house". What a concept. Safe. Seems like no matter where people find themselves there is that old Jackson Browne song which tries to haunt through all of this. "In the end there is one dance we do alone". The threat of jail continues to loom. Perhaps for many years. As the appeal date for John Graham will not entirely begin until October, 2005. Another road on this journey has barely just begun.

Still. Graham is to be released tomorrow. Like those flocks of crows coming together at twilight, gathering ways to keep from being extradited to the U.S. will take an enclave of strong hearts and minds. Here in Canada that support for John Graham is already happening.

antoinette nora claypoole
All People are One
copyright 2005

from Vancouver, B. C.

2005-02-24T01:12:00.000-08:00

covers events leading up to the Rapid City, S. Dakota, John Graham Murder Trial, Oct. 6, 2009 including....

recent 3rd arrest per murder of Anna Mae Aquash,
notes on UK author Serle Chapman “paid informant/co-operating witness”, Annie Mae “alive in ’76

"In Sound Proof Rooms"
dedicated to Anna Mae Aquash (1945-1975/6)
by antoinette nora claypoole
written in Aug. 2008

photo: "NW AIM, circa 1972" photographer unknown

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