Leonard Peltier and the murder of Anna Mae Aquash
Federal prosecutors have attempted to tie Indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier to the murder of fellow AIM activist, Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash. It is a frequent allegation that has relied on weak evidence and the charges of paid federal informants. In this episode, TRN Podcast co-host Nick Estes look at several sources of information from key Indigenous activists who knew Leonard Peltier and Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash to the FBI’s own knowledge of her murder at the time it happened and federal prosecutors’ initial hesitancy to take up the case.
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Below is the text of Hank Adams’ 2020 Facebook post, shortly before his passing:
Note: Adams is responding to a 2016 APTN article in which Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde apologizes to Anna Mae Aquash’s family.
December 14, 2020
Intellectually dishonest hate-monger Paul DeMain has reignited his campaign to assure denial of any Executive Clemency to LEONARD PELTIER, 76, at any time before Leonard’s next scheduled Parole Hearing in Year 2024 with a continued misuse and abuse of the December 1975 gunshot death of ANNA MAE AQUASH and the unconscionable exploitation of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash’s children.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde makes significant points in this 2016 article in which the 1975 Aquash death became the center point in President Barack Obama’s decision to deny Clemency to Peltier:
“I regret that my statement caused some hurt and pain and I apologize for the pain I caused her [Denise Maloney Pictou] and her family,” said Bellegarde. “That wasn’t my intent.”
Bellegarde said he still would like to see Peltier freed. He said the case is a separate issue from AIM’s execution of Aquash.
“I called for that (Peltier’s release) because there is an injustice there,” said Bellegarde. “So I will continue to advocate for that.”
Bellegarde said two previous AFN national chiefs have made the same call which is also backed by Amnesty International and prominent individuals like the Dalai Lama.
Peltier was extradited from Canada to the U.S. in December 1976. Warren Allmand, Canada’s solicitor general at the time of Peltier’s extradition, has since stated the F.B.I submitted false information to have Peltier extradited.”
DeMain’s posting of Aquash daughter Denise Maloney Pictou’s December 12, 2020, renewed accusations against Leonard Peltier and DeMain’s hated AIM organization [re-Posted here in Comment 1] are the beginning of a campaign to assure that 2020 President-Elect Joe Biden will not grant Executive Clemency to Leonard Peltier.
Indians of Western Washington who transported Leonard Peltier to Canada on or about November 17, 1975, and Indians of British Columbia who hosted and concealed him for the next month or until beyond when the FBI first was informed of Anna Mae’s death and the identity of her killers can attest to Leonard’s movements and communications (record) that wholly absolve Leonard Peltier of any direct or indirect role in the December 1975 murder of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash.
@raymondalverez5999
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Justice will prevail 🎉
Politicians need to be held accountable for ALL WRONGS COMITTED….
@Rhizomorphius-vz4bj
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
“I am finally going home. I look forward to seeing my friends, my family, and my community. It’s a good day today.”
— Leonard Peltier 18 Feb 2025
@jamesigo6324
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Leonard was Framed!
@jamesigo6324
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Leonard Peltier was martyred for sins the white man commits.
@jacquelinemarie6325
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
I find myself back to your podcast again after the recent clemency granted to LP. This was long overdue. I hope an application will be made for a hearing to clear his name. Justice has not been served until he is cleared. Then compensation must be sought for him / his family / people. I have been following the case for most of my life. I am sixty. I am thankful for your work with and on behalf of Mr. Peltier. I will be watching to see what happens next.
@srock7967
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Is there a movement making efforts to get the new declassification task force to declassify the FBI files around Peltier & Anna’s cases? They are not only declassifying government secrets, but doing an independent investigation into the FBIs involvement in the shooting of JFK, RFKj, & MLKj. These are also high profile cases with lots of extending tentacles. The American people desire & deserve to know the truth about crimes against Native peoples and Native lands. 🦅
@jamesearlcash1758
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
In my opinion Leonard was the victim of a controlled oppositional agent provocateur
propagandist from within AIM and was then singled out from the rest, set up to take
the fall and used as an example to discredit the movement all together. Leonard was
lead by the pied piper so to speak into a trap. Anne was the unfortunate victim of the
FBI agent within AIM and his/her (whoever it was) lies used not only as a distraction
but as a means to create an atmosphere of distrust and fear destroying the movement
from within. Both were victims of the FBI. The people victims of a PSYOPS.
@phoebemorgan7698
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Thank you for all this. I remembered when I was young protesting for Leonard Peltier & really didn't know what he did. I had lots of questions at the time, but everyone was too busy. Now I know the whole story. Thank you very much. 👍🏽🦅🫶🏾👌🏽🦅
@MiracleonMarigold
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Nice work, did his due diligence to the context of that time. I'm here after the most recent video post clemency and my ignorance. 😅
@AaronJoseph-t4b
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
In '74 A.I.M. members were seeking Political refuge in Squamish Territory but the Elders turned them down because of serious Social/Political backlash,remember Pierre Trudeau & his " White Paper" Policy?!!! We had a Bigomist/ Racist in Office the negative ramifications were too serious give Amnesty,these imaginary/real political borders can get obscured not just by " The Corperation" called Goverments but by The Original Inhabitants(Us 1st People's) & the Powers that be don't want us to fully realize it, " J- Treaty" is the window & the Door to unravel the truth as we know it,these cases are precidents to future Arguments,Legitimate Arguments,Legal cases & hopefully positive humane changes in the Political Climate,with the help of the Newcomers,make sense?!!!
@freeleonardpeltier2285
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Now is the time for indigenous nations to unite regardless of the things that happened in the past. We cannot change the past but we can change the future when we unite as one sovereign nation … Smile on your brother's… The Power of Pride will never fail us.
@rogernonya2183
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Why doesnt anyone talk about thelma rios and her part in anna mae. Not even hulu.
@Bill-cv1xu
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Free at last
@DoyleAshley
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
The ones doing the investigation, law enforcement, that do the investigation were either covering up and protecting the guilty,!when crimes cant be solved in past,its been because of law enforcement involvement!
@cynthiamcgee4829
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
I never thought Leonard Peltier was guilty of anything.
@AntonioDiMartini-i6e
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Does anyone know, were the GOONS that worked for Dick Wilson Native Americans or white?
@StevenOsburnHollywood
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Anna Mae PIctou Aquash.
@GarryRichard-c5h
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
My brother, this is Garry a member of the Navajo Tribe reservation. I think what they did to my uncle is wrong!!
@savonneplummer8364
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Let the people know ! Thank you so much. Keep safe and continue in Truth 🙏
@roxanneb6208
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
As an American, I am Ashamed regarding the TRUTHS Revealed herein. Yes Leonard Peltier has been freed but WHEN WILL THE WHOLE TRUTH BE ACKNOWLEDGED? It Certainly Won’t Be Done During The Next Four Years.
@roxanneb6208
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Thank you for caring enough to take the time to share what you have investigated and found to be the Truth.
@Asiatic777-c1q
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Dont be trying to fk up his release …Why dont you ask him after he gets out
@peeheemuhuh8016
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
What about Tina Manning?
@jameswilliams3241
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
He's out now!🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤
@VintageVera
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Peltier is now free. He will leave prison on Feb. 18. Glory be!
@mikestander2413
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Good video. I learned a lot. Thanks!
@CarolineOceanaRyan999
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Well done — thank you, Nick. This represents a lot of careful research and careful weighing of the facts. Your analyses are absolutely rational and legitimate. May Peltier live in Peace and improved health now that he is finally going home. And may Anna Mae's spirit know Peace in all ways. #PeltierFreedAtLast #NativeLivesMatter
@IPutFishInAWashingMachine
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
NO ANIME
@GinaDoxtator
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Yaw^ko..from myself and every individual North American Indigenous person/Nation…your research has shown by facts the FBI had and will always have its stink foot in any possible way to incriminate and prosecute our ppl..by aligating, accusing and straight up lying..something WE AS A PPL WILL NVR ACCEPT..WELCOME HOME LEONARD ❤
@bellarose6509
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
We learned about him in school thirty years ago. It’s good to review this now. Glad he is being released. So sad about his son.
@Happy_HIbiscus
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
😢😢😢😢🌺🌺🌺🌺
@bruces4515
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
I have only read about this in Lenard Peltier's book, but I got the impression the back appeared from the woods as soon as the shooting started. They were already there? If they were hiding in the woods the possibility of friendly fire exists. (friendly, from their perspective) As I remember that book described that he was in the back of the property helping the families escape.
@Pancho-villa666
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Metis power all the way ! I'm surprised on how many have french-Canadian name among the people.
@GeorgeEstes-v1f
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
One of my dear friends, Robert Charlebois, passed away a few years ago. He fought for Peltiers' release for many years. His spirit would be pleased with Leonard's release. Thank you. President Biden. I'm a Republican but I believe justice has finally been served. My wife was a proud Western Abenaki. Let the creator heal us all.
@bahe2010utube
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
They know who did it 😢!!
@offYears
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
any resources abt theda nelson clarke as informant?
@AntonioGarmsci
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
Brother, either you believe Leonard Peltier is innocent or you don't. Leonard Peltier IS innocent!
@georgialaboucane7625
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
I am an eastern shoshone from Wyoming and at the time all this happened in the 70's and to this day the tribes do not recognise the Canadian blood quantems as a valid blood decree. Because some AIM members were from our tribe and were on our reservation it was a very stressed and unsafe time. 🪶
@amyhayutin1738
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
I commend you for bringing the truth to light, thank you!
@lilliaalina4334
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
FBI Killed a Lot s and Nixon was President, so All was Permit to them…….they were there to close All Free Voices, they were there to Steal Indian, and Leonard Peltier Innocent was an Exemple for them to make shut up All Real Indians and stoling more Indian Lands
@norrisrobinson2349
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
❤️ Mmiw ❤️❤️❤️👍🖖💪🙏🔥💥💯
@DS-nv8bi
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
what freaked me out the most was them cutting off her hands
@DS-nv8bi
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 am
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse by Peter Matthiessen good read