Annie Kowtok is a Native woman who was murdered.
History[]
Navarro came to the birthing center, where Grace Oopik was giving birth, to arrest Annie for trespassing and destruction of private property. Because Grace was 10 centimeters dilated, Annie refused to go until Grace had given birth. When Grace's baby wasn't breathing, Annie did CPR. Once she was safe, Annie gave her to Grace then offered her hands for Navarro to arrest her.[1]
Annie was protesting the mine in Ennis, a controversial position as many of the town's residents relied on the mine for their livelihoods, including Annie's brother, Ryan. Annie was later found stabbed 32 times with her tongue cut out. Her murder was left unsolved for many years until the eight scientists at Tsalal Arctic Research Station disappeared and Annie's tongue was found there.[2]
Annie had discovered that the scientists were covering up the amount of pollution the mine was putting out and even encouraged them to release more pollution, as it hastened their research significantly by softening the permafrost. Annie was enraged by this discovery and started to destroy the research. Anders Lund found her and started stabbing her. Her screams drew the attention of the other scientists, who joined in the attack. When they were done, Raymond Clark stepped in and held Annie. However, when he discovered she was still alive, he smothered her with his t-shirt.[3]
Relationships[]
She had a strained relationship with her brother, Ryan, a miner.[2]
She was secretly dating scientist Raymond Clark until her death. They met when Annie went to Tsalal with Susan Ineak, who was there to cut the scientists' hair.[1]