Anna Mae laid to rest

On Monday, June 21, Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash was buried in her home of Indian Brook, Novia Scotia.


She was remembered by her family and friends.

Elders and relatives spoke of her as a warrior for the political and cultural rights of Aboriginal peoples.


"I remember her strength and her dignity, and how she always stood and spoke truth," said her daughter, Denise Pictou-Maloney.

Said Jim Maloney, Anna Mae's first husband,"
``We have done our grieving. Today is a celebration day. She can rest in her own ground among her own people.''

Anna Mae's body was exhumed from Oglala, South Dakota, on April 22, 2004. A ceremony was held and Denise Maloney stated her mother,"began her journey home this morning ... to the warmth and security of her family and people - to be near their hearts, for inside their hearts is where her spirit has always been."

Anna Mae's reburial was threatened with delay when attorneys for accused triggerman, John Graham, obtained a temporary restraining order for the purposes of a third autopsy, the attorneys claimed.

A Molecular World of Thunder Bay scientist, along with 4 other experts concluded ""it is impossible to identify any male DNA from material from the pelvic area" because that part of the body "is completely void of soft tissue," Graham's attorney's then dropped the TRO and Anna Mae's family was allowed to lay her to rest.



To read more, look at these articles.
CBC article
AP article
CBC News
Rapid City Journal