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Whitehorse, Yukon
January 06, 2004
Attn: The Honourable Irwin Cotler,
Minister of Justice
312 West Block, House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0A6
Re: John Graham
Dear Sir:
As you are aware, John Graham, a citizen of the Champagne and Aishihik First
Nations which is a member of the Council of Yukon First Nations (the “CYFN”),
was charged in the United States on March 30, 2003, with the first-degree
murder of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash who was found dead on the Pine Ridge
reservation located in South Dakota in 1976. At that time, Mr. Graham was
working with the American Indian Movement (the “AIM”). Mr. Graham was
arrested in Vancouver on December 1, 2003, and will soon face an extradition
hearing so that he can be transported to the United States to stand trial
for the charge of first-degree murder.
The CYFN has a responsibility to advocate on behalf of our citizens to
ensure that their rights are respected and the integrity of our legal system
is upheld and preserved. Therefore, CYFN urges that you ensure that the
extradition proceedings related to Mr. Graham are fair, transparent and
consistent with the principles of due process under the laws of Canada,
including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In light of the unlawful tactics employed to extradite Leonard Peltier, an
activist of the AIM, to the United States in 1976, the CYFN has concerns
about the expedition proceedings related to Mr. Graham.
In the case of Mr. Peltier, many have asserted that the United States
presented false evidence, including false affidavits, to obtain the
extradition. To that end, the CYFN seeks assurances from you that any
evidence presented at the expedition hearing will be examined and
scrutinized rigorously and Mr. Graham will be provided the right to appeal
any decisions.
I request that you direct your officials to provide updates to the CYFN with
respect to this matter.
Sincerely,
Ed Schultz
Grand Chief