Vow of Silence on Hulu: Where is Annie Mae’s family now?

Hulu’s Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae delves into the life and tragic murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash, a Mi’kmaq activist who was killed in 1975 under mysterious and brutal circumstances. The series paints a detailed picture of her life as an advocate for Indigenous rights and the decades-long fight her family endured to bring her killers to justice.

Annie Mae was a devoted mother and sister, and her untimely death left an indelible mark on her family's lives. Her family continues her legacy through advocacy and remembrance. For nearly three decades, her murder remained unsolved, forcing her family to work tirelessly to keep the case alive.

Her daughters, Denise and Deborah Maloney, played a pivotal role in pressuring authorities to find answers, supported by her siblings, who focused on their lives in Nova Scotia. Although two men, Arlo Looking Cloud and John Graham, were convicted of her murder many years later, Annie Mae's family feels that those who planned the crime escaped punishment.

Annie's daughter, Denise Pictou Maloney, lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Annie Mae's sisters, Mary Lafford and Rebecca "Becky" Julian, live relatively quieter lives. Mary resides in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, while Becky lives in Indian Brook, Nova Scotia, where she works as a language teacher. Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae was released on November 26, 2024, on Hulu.

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Annie Mae's daughters: Denise and Deborah Maloney

Annie's two daughters, Denise and Deborah, were only children when their mother was killed. Although they were young, this memory left a lasting impact on them, especially Denise. She vividly recalls the last time she saw her mother, recounting how Annie kneeled before her and asked her to take care of her little sister and always tell the truth.

Denise has been particularly vocal about her mother's legacy and the injustice surrounding her death. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Denise later moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia. She developed a career in Indigenous rights advocacy.

She has worked with organizations such as the MMIWG National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. On significant anniversaries, Denise wrote heartfelt messages about her mother, reflecting on the pain of losing her while also highlighting the strength that it has given others.

The relentless effort for justice has kept Annie's story at the forefront of public consciousness, reminding people of the ongoing issues that Indigenous communities continue to face to this day.

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Annie's sisters: Mary and Becky

Annie Mae's sisters, Mary Lafford and Rebecca "Becky" Julian, have taken more subdued paths but have always stood as steadfast pillars for their family. Mary lives in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, enjoying retirement with family members.

Becky, a language teacher at LSK School in Indian Brook, Nova Scotia, is known to spend her spare time making and selling handcrafted wooden rose bouquets and bowls. Despite their private and relatively low-key lives, both sisters are engaged in preserving Annie's memory in their own ways.

Becky married in 1960 and has a daughter, Wanda Julian, along with two granddaughters. Both sisters have maintained close family ties and feel connected to their community.

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A family united in advocacy and remembrance

Though all the family members have different lifestyles, they maintain one common commitment, justice and the sharing of the memories of Annie. While her sisters were focusing on their lives, Denise spoke out to ensure her mother's story would be remembered.

Through public statements and social media, Denise continues to emphasize the need for justice for Annie and others like her. On the 20th anniversary of returning her mother's remains to their Mi'kmaq community, Denise wrote about her mother:

“Betrayed by those she thought were friends and ‘family,’ we reclaimed her back to her community of Sipekne’katik.”

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Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae is available to watch on Hulu.