Traveling exhibit focuses on Native American voting rights

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month last month, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress launched a new traveling exhibit, “100 Years After the Indian Citizenship Act: The Continuing Struggle to Guarantee Voting Rights to Native Americans.”

The exhibit explores Native American Voting Rights long before the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and how it failed to ensure Native American participation in elections. Tribal leaders and lesser-known voting rights activists from all walks of life are highlighted in the display.

“This powerful exhibit highlights the challenges and barriers to voting that Native Americans have faced for decades — from 1921 right up to today,” ABA President Mary Smith said. “Voting is the bedrock of our democracy, and Native Americans play a pivotal role as its earliest stewards. We must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the challenges that hinder their full participation.”

The exhibit builds off the success of previous exhibits that traveled to more than 225 venues nationwide: Magna Carta (2015-18), 19th Amendment (2019-22) and Mayflower Compact (2022-23).

The  new exhibit will be on display at law schools, state capitol buildings, state and local bar associations, courthouses, law firms and national and local conferences across the country.

Places currently hosting the exhibit include:

• National Native American Bar Association in Tempe, Ariz.

• Jacksonville University College of Law in Jacksonville, Fla.

• Greenberg Traurig LLP in Chicago

• Stanford University Law School in Stanford, Calif.

• Case Western Reserve Law Library in Cleveland, Ohio

• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law Library in Sacramento, Calif.