Historical Photos of Native Americans at the White House for Citizenship in the 1920s and 30s

These amazing photographs colorized by British colorization specialist Royston Leonard show Native American tribal delegations visiting the White House during the 1920s and 30s, with some of the leaders meeting with then American president, Calvin Coolidge.

In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act was proposed by Representative Homer P. Snyder and signed by President Calvin Coolidge, meaning the indigenous peoples including the Native American tribe, also known as Native Indians, were granted full U.S. citizenship. However, not all Native Americans were granted the right to vote until 1957 due to discriminatory state laws which used a variety of excuses to prevent members of tribes from fully exercising their rights.

While the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution defined as citizens any person born in the U.S., the amendment had been interpreted to restrict the citizenship rights of most Native people. The act was signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge on June 2, 1924. It was enacted partially in recognition of the thousands of Native Americans who served in the armed forces during World War I.

(Photos: Royston Leonard / Media Drum World, via Daily Mail)