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LYDA CONLEY
The first Native American woman to present a case in front of the Supreme Court of America.
"I will go to Washington and personally defend it...
If I do not then there is no cemetery in this land safe from sale, at the will of the government." Quote: Lyda Conley
WHISPERS LIKE THUNDER
a film by
In association with
Luis Moro Productions.
Producers
Sir Ben Kingsley
Simone Sheffield
Valerie Hoffman
Luis Moro
Wyandot Nation of Kansas
Janith K. English
Principle Chief
Screenplay by
Trip Brooks
Luis Moro
Story by
Trip Brooks
Shelly Young
Wyandot Language
Translations by
John Steckley
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LYDA CONLEY
1902 graduation from Kansas City College of Law.
Since no man would represent the sisters against the U.S. Government, Lyda took it upon herself to prepare for legal action by mastering the law to defend the burial grounds.
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The United States battle against the Wyandot first started when they helped protect slaves. Wyandot Native Americans provided land for Quindaro. Quindaro was founded in 1857 on the Kansas side of the Missouri river, now a part of Kansas City. It was formed by the Wyandot tribes people along with the economic resources of local white abolitionists.
The Wyandot Native Americans provided an important stop on the underground railroad in order to protect runaway slaves who would cross the sometimes treacherous waters in their desperate search for a better life. To this day, the Wyandot Native American suffer the repercussion by the United States Government for being one of the First Nations to speak out against slavery and empower equal rights for women, blacks and other suppressed minorities.
Whispers Like Thunder provides a glimpse into the spirit of our first nations continued battle for equal justice for all. The Conley Sisters life long journey to protect sacred grounds, respect equal rights, and honor treaties continues today. |
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WHISPERS LIKE THUNDER, the movie
The true story of three Native American sisters who fought the government with guns, axes and the law to protect their ancestors burial grounds.
The Conley sisters gave punches, swung axes, fired guns, and used the law to fight off U.S. troops, police, construction workers, mob thugs, corrupt business men and crooked politicians for several decades to defend their Native American sacred burial ground.
Their Native American fight for honor and respect of the law continues today.
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FORT CONLEY
While Lyda fought her battle in the courts, her sister Helena, guarded the fort because of the intrusions. Helena wired the cemetery gates together and put up a sign:
"You Trespass at Your Own Peril."
The sisters took up their vigil over the graves after learning the land was about to be sold. They built a 6 x 8 foot frame structure and placed a fence of iron spikes around it. Helena stood armed with their father's double barreled shotgun, an axe and the American Flag. She used them without fear. Instantly, their new home became known as "Fort Conley."
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Huron Indian Cemetery.
Wyandot Nation of Kansas.
Kansas City Kansas.
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"My father's spirit came to me in a dream and was unhappy and I knew what that meant. The dead want this holy place defended and it will be." Quote: Helena Conley.
Helena Gros "Lena" Conley, the last survivor
Born 1867 - September 15th, 1958 at age 94
Lena defended the graves to the day she died.
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Eliza "Lyda" Burton Conley
Born 1869 - May 28th, 1946, at age 72
First Native American woman to present a case in front of the supreme court at a time when women had almost no legal rights by the laws of the U.S. Government.
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Ida Conley
Born 1865 - October 6th, 1948 at age 76
Worked 24/7 to financially support the sisters decades long battle at Fort Conley.
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Charles Curtis
Born January 25th, 1860 - Feburary 8th, 1936 at age 76
Vice President of the United States of America 1929-1933
Native American son of The Kanza Nation
U.S. Senator, Senate Majority Leader, Congressman.
Political career platforms Native American rights,
Women's rights, Children's rights and Farmers rights.
Won re-elections to the Senate in 1920 and 1926 with an overwhelming 64% of the vote.
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