Thelma Conroy-Rios
| Thelma Conroy-Rios | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Thelma Rae Charging Bear Conroy Rios 17 May 1945 Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota |
| Died | February 9, 2011 (aged 65) Rapid City, South Dakota |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Resting place | Pine Lawn Memorial Park |
| Nationality | American Indian |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Organization |
American Indian Movement PIE Patrol |
| Known for | Participant in the murder of AIM Activist Anna Mae Aquash |
| Spouse(s) | Harry Hill (ex-husband) |
| Children | Janie Williamson (daughter) Anna Shaw (daughter) Kristal Hill (daughter) Tommy Conroy (son) Anthony Rios (son) |
| Relatives | Kay Chapman (sister) Connie Ament (sister) Billie Jenkins (sister) |
Thelma Conroy-Rios, was a Native American activist. She is perhaps best known for her involvement in the Wounded Knee incident with the murder of fellow American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Aquash.
Between 1974 and 1975, Thelma Conroy-Rios allowed a fellow male activist, Harry Hill, to live with her. Conroy-Rios and Hill were said to be involved in a common law marriage.
Although identified as a cop by ex-wife Thelma Conroy-Rios, Hill's role as a law official is disputed.
Conroy-Rios identified Hill as having provoked the Custer Courthouse Incident Riot that unfolded in 1973 following a one-day jail sentence of murderer Darld Schmitz, a White Air Force veteran in the murder of Wesley Bad Heart Bull. According to Conroy-Rios, "He started it all, Dave. He provoked the riot. He was right there. He told me so, proudly, several times. He instigated that courtroom riot too. I was there. I saw him start it, punching a cop. At the time everybody thought it was great. He was a warrior. He was a hero and everybody trusted him, including me." Conroy-Rios' account is corroborated by a separate account found in Peter Matthiessen's book, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse. Although Hill denies ever working in any capacity as a cop or collaborated with law enforcement, there has been speculation that he was an FBI informant.
Conroy-Rios was an enrolled student at Black Hills State University, but had to drop out after her daughter was born with a rare blood disease in 1970.
Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash was a female activist within the ranks of the American Indian Movement.
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