Exhibit | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Miguel Trujillo and the Pursuit of Native Voting Rights

On display through May 26, 2024 at the New Mexico History Museum

The New Mexico History Museum is proud to present “Miguel Trujillo and the Pursuit of Native Voting Rights”. The special exhibition honors the 75th anniversary of the landmark court case, Trujillo v Garley, which granted Native New Mexicans the right to vote in US elections.

The story is told through an interactive voting booth and shares the fascinating story of Native American suffrage. The ruling in 1948 removed legal and constitutional barriers to voting for Native Americans residing on tribal lands in New Mexico. At the center of this effort is Miguel Trujillo (Isleta Pueblo), a veteran and tribal educator. His tireless pursuit of equitable representation for his people is a noteworthy addition to better-known stories about women’s suffrage and African American voting rights.

Also featured in the exhibition are excerpts from the latest season of Encounter Culture, the official podcast of the Department of Cultural Affairs, produced with the support of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Image Credit: Miguel Trujillo’s graduation from the University of New Mexico, 1942. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michael Trujillo.

Also on exhibit at the New Mexico History Museum


New Mexico CulturePass

Your ticket to New Mexico's exceptional Museums and Historic Sites.
From Indian treasures to space exploration, world-class folk art to awesome dinosaurs—our museums and monuments celebrate the essence of New Mexico every day.
More Info »

The wallet size version of the CulturePass showing the $30 price
An animated image of a cell phone showing various topics presented in the Encounter Culture podcast

Encounter Culture

Take a look inside the museums and historic sites of New Mexico without leaving home. Join host Charlotte Jusinski, and a variety of guest curators, artists, and exhibitors in exploring the art and culture of the state in Encounter Culture, a new podcast from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Logo and Link to Google Podcasts Logo and Link to Apple Podcasts Logo and Link to Spotify Podcasts

Featured DCA Exhibitions

A photo featuring items representing the La Cartonería Mexicana / The Mexican Art of Paper and Paste exhibition

La Cartonería Mexicana / The Mexican Art of Paper and Paste

Mexican cartonería is an artform that expresses human imagination, emotion, and tradition using the
more »

A photo featuring items representing the Here, Now and Always exhibition

Here, Now and Always

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture invites you to visit its brand new permanent exhibition, Here, Now and Always,
more »

A photo featuring items representing the Multiple Visions: A Common Bond exhibition

Multiple Visions: A Common Bond

Multiple Visions: A Common Bond has been the destination for well over a million first-time and repeat visitors to the
more »

A photo featuring items representing the John P. Stapp Air & Space Park exhibition

John P. Stapp Air & Space Park

Named after International Space Hall of Fame Inductee and aeromedical pioneer Dr. John P. Stapp, the Air and Space Park
more »