Who is Fannie Musket from The Dark Wind and what is their importance?

Fannie Musket is Joseph's mother. She lives near the Cottonwood Trading Post, and when Chee visits her they introduce themselves by family, by kinship, and by clan. Mrs. Musket is Standing Rock, "born for" the Mud Clan.

Fannie tells Chee a good deal about her son, particularly the reasons he would not have stolen the pawned silver at the Burnt Water Trading Post. When Chee prepares to leave, she asks him to tell Joseph to come home if he finds him.