In August 2023, Mary L. Smith became the first Cherokee woman to lead the American Bar Association (ABA). With a large crowd of Native American attorneys and ABA members by her side, Mary was inducted as the president of the ABA at the association’s Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Mary walked in draped with an embroidered wool blanket from Native-owned company Eighth Generation, a Cherokee design titled Cherokee Treasure by Bryan Waytula, a contemporary piece honoring the long basket weaving tradition of her people, interconnecting the creativity, skills, and knowledge of her ancestors as she stepped into an important role for the legal profession and a momentous occasion for Native American attorneys and legal professionals.
The 2023 ABA Annual Meeting was a historic one, and Mary’s installation was one of many reasons. In addition to the start of Mary’s presidency, a Tribal judge and Native American legal giant were honored for their long-time accomplishments in protecting the rights of Native American people and victims of crime. John E. Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund and original co-founder of the National Native American Bar Association, was awarded the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice Thurgood Marshall Award. Judge Melissa L. Pope, chief judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court, received the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence Judith S. Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence.
Both Mr. Echohawk and Judge Pope were also honored with embroidered Eighth Generation wool blankets from the Native legal community. Mr. Echohawk was given the Warrior blanket from artist Dante Biss-Grayson. The design honors warriors of all types, acknowledging that we each know someone worthy of the title. The Thurgood Marshall Award ceremony was well attended with a record contingent of Native American attorneys and legal professionals present. After the blanket was gifted, an honor song was offered for Mr. Echohawk, and all attendees were welcomed to shake Mr. Echohawk’s hand during the song. It was inspiring to see the long processional of ABA and Native community members participate in that recognition. Judge Pope was given a blanket featuring the design Ribbons from artist Jamie Okuma, a blanket that features “old-time colors” and is representative of the geometric aesthetic of the Plateau/Great Basin/Plains region. Kismetly, Judge Pope wore a ribbon skirt to the award ceremony. For many Indigenous people, the ribbon skirt is a representation of womanhood and symbolizes a strength in and reclamation of identity. Making the gifting of this blanket to Judge Pope, a defender of all survivors of violence, and protector against violence against Indigenous people, all the more fitting.
Sharing the recent honoring of these Native attorneys by the ABA along with the blanket designs chosen to honor them presents an appropriate opportunity to introduce this issue of Human Rights. In the articles, you will find reflections on the history of Native legal programs and organizations and the impact they have had on the field. You will find discussions around how centering Indigenous knowledge is key to informing the future, especially when thinking about caring for the earth and climate. You will read about some of our Native warriors in the field, including those from the bench. You will learn about the progress made in restoring Tribal jurisdiction and the needs that remain to better protect Tribal communities from violence. You will see how far the ABA has come in raising its voice in support of Tribal positions. You will be provided tangible calls to action to raise awareness of and contribute to the advancement of Native legal issues. Overall, this issue encapsulates honoring the past, celebrating present accomplishments, and visioning for a better future for Tribal communities.
