Born: 1869 (Wyandotte County, Kansas)
Died: 1946
Biography:
Eliza Burton Lyda Conley was a Wyandot Native American and an American lawyer. She was born around 1869 and passed away in 1946, leaving behind a legacy of activism and legal advocacy. Conley is remembered as the first woman admitted to the Kansas Bar Association and for her impactful campaign to prevent the sale and development of the Huron Cemetery in Kansas City, which is now known as the Wyandot National Burying Ground.
Conley’s most significant legal victory came in 1909 when she became the first Native American woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States. In her groundbreaking case, Conley argued that the burying grounds of Native Americans should be entitled to federal protection. This was a landmark moment that highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous cultural and burial sites nationwide.
Her efforts stirred the attention and support of Kansas Senator Charles Curtis, who championed her cause. In 1916, Curtis successfully passed legislation that prevented the sale of the Huron Cemetery and established the land as a federal park. This triumph marked a major milestone in Conley’s fight and a significant step forward for Native American rights and recognition.
The significance of Conley’s legal victories reached beyond the local community, as her case set a precedent for the protection of Native American burial grounds across the United States. It emphasized the need to acknowledge and respect the cultural and sacred history of indigenous peoples.
The struggle over the Huron Cemetery was not just about preserving the burial grounds, but also about the broader conflict between the unrecognized Wyandot Nation of Kansas and the federally recognized Wyandotte Nation, based in Oklahoma. The cemetery’s historical and cultural significance made it a focal point in this ongoing dispute.
In 1971, the Huron Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance and safeguarding its preservation. In 2016, it received further recognition as a National Historic Landmark, highlighting its significance to American history and the indigenous community.
Early in her life, Lyda Conley grew up as the youngest of four daughters. Her mother, Elizabeth Burton Zane, was a multiracial Wyandot person, and her father, Andrew Syrenus Conley, had migratory roots from New Canaan, Connecticut. The Conley family’s migration to the West was part of the broader movement of the Wyandot Nation, driven by the encroachment of European settlers on their ancestral lands.
Elizabeth Zane’s ancestry traced back to Isaac Zane, who was captured by the Wyandots as a child and later adopted into the tribe. Isaac married White Crane, the daughter of Chief Tarhe, and they settled in Ohio, founding the town of Zanesfield. The family faced significant challenges due to the pressure from the U.S. government, which eventually led to the forced relocation of the Wyandot people to Kansas in 1843.
Growing up on a farm in Wyandotte County, Conley witnessed firsthand the impact of displacement and the struggles faced by indigenous communities. These experiences shaped her dedication to fighting for justice and preserving the cultural heritage of her people.
Lyda Conley’s groundbreaking work as an attorney and advocate for Native American rights has had a lasting impact on the nation. Her unwavering commitment to protecting and preserving the Huron Cemetery, and by extension, Native American burial grounds nationwide, paved the way for future activism and legal battles on behalf of indigenous peoples.
Conley’s legacy is a testament to the strength and resilience of Native American communities, as well as a reminder of the ongoing struggles they face for recognition, justice, and preservation of their rich cultural heritage.