When you start looking at the players in the murder of Annie Mae and the familial relationships that exist I am reminded of the six degrees of separation thing regarding Kevin Bacon that linked him to various actors, and was a net sensation a while back.
Here you have Russell, the brothers, and Lorelie all bearing some relationship to Theda, the Nelsons, Troy Lynn, and Graham as an adoptee.
I have no doubt of Vernon’s involvement in Annie’s murder, and even though he has become the convenient whipping boy for others who were involved it is well established that he and Ted, the brother of Russell, had in the least what could characterised as a good working
relationship for all the anomosity that presumably exists between the Means and Bellecourt camps now.
The brothers Clyde and Vernon-the infamous Mr. X ( Dave Hill), in addition to the notables above all have been placed either at the WKLDOC office, or in and around PR during the time frame when Annie was there-yet difficult to explain their glaring absence during their “sisters” burial wouldn’t you say?
Where does Thelma fit into this? Though not related, she is Hill’s main squeeze at that time. Bruce Ellison? WKLDOC’s resident legal guru-who knowing the so called law claims the Fifth Amendment privilege, and has been placed at, and as a participant in the interrogation of Annie at WKLODC headquarters prior to her murder.
Then there are the associated AIM faithful like Madonna Gilbert, Powless, and others who all have a presence in and immediately around PR during that immediate time. This is what I think is meant by the adage if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, then it must be a duck.
Undeniable to me that this entire group had flocked together not only at PR then, but even to this day to promote their version and waddle jointly along through the years. You be the judge of that , but base your decision on what is known and provable, rather than cover stories and vacuous explanations that cannot stand up to the light of day.
All of these composing a mob in an age old tradition to lynch an innocent person-and who in having done so are neither man or woman enough to speak any measure of the truth now, satisfied to parade about thumping their chests proclaiming their blood that at one point in history carried with it the sure knowledge that truth and balance were the measure of it.
That will change-somebody, as I have repeatedly said is going to speak up. Not as an act of contrition, but one of survival-and when they do they will learn what it is to be denounced-the least of what they deserve. I would hope none will call them warriors or penitents for doing so, ultimately they will be doing what they always have done-the thing they believe serves them at the moment.
For all that is known I believe it is but a portion, revelations to come will rock Indian country to it’s very foundations and potentially carry division with it as we have already seen in matters such as Peltier and Annie Mae.
It is an event though that I feel should be embraced, as a huge burden will be lifted and an awareness that each is accountable, each has the responsibility to reason and make the decisions that impact them and their nation, rather than surrendering those things to caricatures and lies.
It will be a time to celebrate for the opportunities that will result, if people will only take hold of them. A time to remember and return to traditions, a time to reinstate elders to their positions of leadership, to renew the honor and respect for women that is little more than a ploy now in the videos and sermons given which AIMlessly drone on -and for men to be men, examples to children, and to demonstrate the respect for themselves and their brothers than has long been lacking.
Look to Denver? Assuredly so, but look also to PR, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, and anywhere else AIM has been, for the same thread weaves it’s way throughout it all.
Be strong-be the men and women of the nations-remember who you are and what it means.
