Family of activist slain in 1975 surprised by clemency granted to Leonard Peltier

The recent news that President Biden had granted clemency to Native American activist Leonard Peltier came as a surprise to the family of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. Peltier had been serving a life sentence for the deaths of two FBI agents during a standoff on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975. Pictou Aquash, a mother of two from Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia, was killed around the same time as the shootout in Pine Ridge.

Denise Pictou Maloney, daughter of Pictou Aquash, expressed her surprise at the news of Peltier’s clemency, as the family was not given a heads up about it. She believes that Peltier was involved in her mother’s death, as members of the American Indian Movement feared she was an FBI informant. Pictou Maloney stated that Peltier knew about what happened to her mother and was complicit in obstructing justice by not speaking up for 28 years.

At the peak of the American Indian Movement, Pictou Aquash traveled extensively with her children. Despite the excitement of life on the road with AIM, Pictou Maloney recalls that her mother always prioritized their safety. Her last memory of her mother involves a heartfelt conversation where Pictou Aquash urged her children to always speak the truth and look after each other.

Peltier’s supporters have been advocating for his release due to his age and health problems. Although he was denied parole in July 2024 and was not eligible for parole until 2026, Pictou Maloney believes that justice has been served as Peltier is still a convicted felon and must serve out the remainder of his sentence.

The reaction to Peltier’s clemency has been mixed, with some viewing it as a step towards justice for an unfair trial, while others struggle with the complexities of his involvement in Pictou Aquash’s death. Actor Dallas Goldtooth highlighted the broader issues surrounding Indigenous women’s treatment and the toxic patriarchy within AIM leadership.

In light of these developments, it is essential to recognize the complexities of Peltier’s case and the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities. The impact of Peltier’s clemency extends beyond his individual case to highlight broader issues of justice and accountability within Indigenous movements.