Darlene Ka-Mook Nichols facts for kids

Darlene Nichols, also known as Ka-Mook, is a Native American activist. She was once a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Darlene is well-known for helping to organize "The Longest Walk." This was a big protest march across the United States. She also helped investigators learn more about the death of her friend, Anna Mae Aquash.

Early Life

Darlene Pearl Nichols was born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. She grew up near the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Personal Life

Darlene Nichols lived with AIM leader Dennis Banks for 17 years. They had four children together. They separated in 1989. In 2004, Darlene married Robert Ecoffey. He was an investigator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Darlene became friends with Anna Mae Aquash in 1973. In 1975, Darlene's second daughter was born. This happened while Darlene was in jail in Wichita, Kansas.

Activism and The Longest Walk

Darlene Nichols took part in a rally in Gordon, Nebraska. This rally supported Native American causes. One of her most important actions was organizing "The Longest Walk."

Why The Longest Walk Started

In 1978, the United States Congress was considering 11 new laws. These laws would have taken away rights from Native American tribes. They would also have affected tribal lands and water rights. Darlene and others wanted to stop these laws.

A Walk for Rights

"The Longest Walk" was similar to another protest called the Trail of Broken Treaties from 1972. That protest involved a car caravan and a march in Washington, D.C. "The Longest Walk" was organized by Darlene Nichols and Dennis Banks. Over 30,000 Native Americans from 80 different tribes joined. They marched 5,800 kilometers (3,600 miles). The walk started from Alcatraz in California. It ended in Washington, D.C. after five months.

Success of the Walk

The walk ended on July 15, 1978. About 2,000 people entered Washington, D.C. They marched to the Washington Monument. "The Longest Walk" was a big success. It brought worldwide attention to the problems Native Americans faced. Because of this protest, the harmful bills were stopped. This walk was also one of the last big events of the Red Power Movement. This movement worked for Native American rights.

Helping with Investigations

Darlene Nichols was a strong supporter of the American Indian Movement. Even when her daughter was born in prison, she did not cooperate with the FBI. But after her friend Anna Mae Aquash was killed, Darlene wanted to find out what happened.

Seeking the Truth

Darlene read newspaper reports about Anna Mae Aquash's death. She began to think that some people connected to the American Indian Movement might be involved. Darlene contacted the FBI. She agreed to help them investigate Anna Mae's death. She even wore a hidden recording device to record conversations. This helped her learn more from people like Arlo Looking Cloud and Dennis Banks.

Conversations with Dennis Banks

One important conversation was with her former husband, Dennis Banks. Banks was being investigated about the death of Ray Robinson. Robinson was an African-American civil rights protester. He disappeared while at the Wounded Knee incident in 1973. Banks was also being investigated about Anna Mae Aquash's death.

In 2001, Darlene talked to Banks about Anna Mae's death. Banks did not want to talk about Anna Mae. But he did talk about Ray Robinson. Banks said that Robinson had been shot by another AIM member. He bled to death because they could not get him medical help. Banks said he saw Robinson's body. He told someone to "bury him where no one will know."

Court Testimony

Darlene Nichols testified in three trials. These trials were about the death of Anna Mae Aquash. Her testimony helped to convict Arlo Looking Cloud and John Graham. Richard Marshall was found not guilty. Some of her testimony also involved Leonard Peltier. He is in prison for the 1975 deaths of two FBI agents.

Testimony About Leonard Peltier

In one trial, Darlene described a conversation between Anna Mae and Leonard Peltier. Anna Mae told Peltier to either shoot her or protect her. Darlene testified that Peltier thought Anna Mae was an informant. He said he wanted to give her "truth serum." Darlene also heard that Peltier had put a gun to Anna Mae's head. He wanted to know if she was an informant.

Darlene and Anna Mae shared a jail cell in 1975. Darlene said Anna Mae was scared of Leonard and Dennis at that time. Darlene also said she was with Anna Mae when Peltier talked about killing two FBI agents in 1975. This was the last time Darlene saw Anna Mae alive.

Trial of Arlo Looking Cloud

Arlo Looking Cloud was arrested in 2003. He was accused of shooting Anna Mae Aquash in December 1975.

Darlene testified that Peltier told her and Anna Mae that he killed two FBI agents. This happened during a shootout in 1975. He said, "He was begging for his life, but I shot him anyway." Darlene said this happened in a recreational vehicle. It was lent to AIM by actor Marlon Brando. Darlene also testified that she heard Peltier say he thought Anna Mae was a snitch.

Darlene also talked about other violent events involving AIM. These included the Custer Courthouse Riot and the Wounded Knee incident. She also talked about the shootout where two FBI agents died. Darlene said that many AIM members suspected Anna Mae was an informant. She also said that Anna Mae was watched constantly by AIM members. She was not allowed to go anywhere alone.

In February 2004, Arlo Looking Cloud was found guilty of Anna Mae Aquash's death. He was sentenced to life in prison. Later, his sentence was reduced to 20 years. This was because he testified against John Graham.

Trial of John Graham

John Graham was charged with Anna Mae Aquash's death in 2003. He was brought from Canada to the United States in 2007.

In December 2010, Darlene Nichols testified again. She said that Leonard Peltier made an "incriminating" statement. This was about shooting someone who was "begging for his life." The judge did not allow her to say exactly what Peltier said. But she could say he made an "incriminating" statement.

Graham was found guilty of felony murder in December 2014. This was because he helped in taking Anna Mae from Denver in 1975.

Legacy

Darlene Nichols has received both praise and criticism. Some people praise her for helping the government. Others criticize her for cooperating with the FBI. One of Leonard Peltier's lawyers claimed Darlene received money from the FBI for her testimony.

FBI Payments

Darlene said she received $42,000 from the FBI. This money was for her travel expenses. It also covered costs for wearing a recording device. She also received money to help her move. She was afraid of Dennis Banks. The FBI paid to move her from California to New Mexico. She moved again when Banks found out where she lived.

An FBI agent said the $42,000 was accounted for with receipts. Darlene also said she lost over $100,000 in income. This was because she had to turn down movie acting jobs. She could not take these jobs because of her involvement in the case.

Support for Darlene

The Indigenous Women for Justice group thanked Darlene. Denise Maloney-Pictou, Anna Mae Aquash's daughter, leads this group. She thanked Darlene for her bravery. Darlene's testimony helped lead to convictions in her mother's death.

A book written by FBI agents Joseph H. Trimbach and John H. Trimbach tells about the events of the 1970s. It includes Darlene's testimony.

In 2008, Darlene Nichols and her husband opened a Subway restaurant on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

See also

• American Indian Movement
• Wounded Knee incident
• Ray Robinson
• Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash
• Leonard Peltier