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.

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