The Hulu documentary, Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae Aquash (produced by Amy Kaufman, Caroline Waterloo, Ezra Edelman and Riva Marker.) tells the story of a Mi’Kmaq warrior woman, whose unsolved murder sparked a 30 year investigation.
The tumultuous political climate of the 70’s, along with the complex history of the American Indian Movement, served as the backdrop for a very complex story. She was a warrior who went against giants like the U.S. Government, machismo norms within the American Indian Movement, and the expectations of women in society in the 70’s.
Annie Mae Aqaush , mother, activist, native woman, and warrior, defined what women should be within the native community. She was smart, fearless and dedicated, who participated in the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties, the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation, and the protest of the Department of Interior headquarters in Washington D.C.She sought to bring positive government action, just treatment, and acknowledgement to native people across Canada and the U.S. Aquash also worked to improve the conditions of Native people living in cities like Boston.
Her relentless activism lead her to join with the American Indian Movement where she intended to make changes – even if her role initially was working in the kitchen. AIM protested the treatment of native people and fought to change health outcomes, education, and policies within the Office of Indian Affairs.
AIM began as an impassioned idea that very quickly became splintered within the native community. Many felt large egos, money, and the Hollywood elite, had tainted the original purpose. The founding members and early members, Russell Means, Dennis Banks, Leonard Peltier, John Trudell inspired change, monitored police activities, coordinated employment programs, and a renewal in Native American culture. Unfortunately, very little is known about the women who championed along side the men and not enough credit is to given to their involvement and sacrifice.
As a member of AIM, Annie Mae Aquash, increased her role within the movement, the decision – making and programs within AIM policies. She and Banks developed a relationship in 1974, which caused many people to question her intentions. She was fearless in her representation of women’s rights and the struggle of Native people which threaten those in power. Some viewed her as an outsider – an obvious informant for the FBI.
Both Leonard Peltier and David Price had allegedly threaten her, which caused a ripple effect within AIM and the FBI investigation. After the Jumping Bull Compound incident, where two agents were killed, the FBI felt she had incriminating information on AIM members but she refused to cooperate. Sadly, AIM members no longer felt she was trustworthy which caused a riff between some members of the organization. She sacrificed herself for a movement that betrayed her and violently caused her demise. Although she attempted to hide and disguise herself, she was eventually kidnapped and murdered.
On February 24, 1976, a Jane Doe was found in the Badlands of South Dakota by the side of State Road 73 on the Pine Ridge Reservation and 10 miles from Wanblee. Her remains were badly decomposed and the coroner determined she died of exposure. Furthermore, the coroner completely failed to notice a bullet in her skull, which further hampered the investigation. The body was further mutilated when her hands were cut off and sent to the FBI for fingerprinting.
A second autopsy was performed by Dr. Garry Peterson under the request from the American Indian Movement. The pathologist found a gun shot wound from a .32 caliber bullet. It was determined she was shot execution style, the bullet entering the back of her head and eventually getting lodged in her left eye socket. Due to her Jane Doe status, Aquash was not officially identified at the time and was buried in South Dakota. Hours after her interment, the FBI lab found evidence the body was Annie Mae Aqash.
Aquash’s family, along with some members of the American Indian Movement, felt the FBI had instigated the rumors to manipulate and provoke the people. It lead to AIM members pointing fingers at one another and splintering into different groups within the organization. The paranoia, murders, and fear lead to the downfall of the American Indian Movement. Various members of AIM were being investigated for other crimes and the FBI failed to focus on solving the case. It wasn’t until 2004 and 2010, that Arlo Looking Cloud, Thelma Rios and John Graham were convicted of killing Aquash.
The documentary also highlights the continuous violence against indigenous women. Annie Mae Aquash was just one of many in Indian Country where thousands have not returned home. Local, state, and federal authorities still fail to bring native families closure. Native women are victimized by a system that feels they are disposable and crimes are ignored. MMIWG is pressuring systems to accurately document and investigate murders so victims can be reunited with their families and communities.
The story of Annie Mae Aquash is all to familiar and many sisters are still fighting to come home.
Interview with the Director of the Hulu documentary – Yvonne Russo
