Standing Bear
History Moments
Air Date: 04/08/2018
Standing Bear (c. 1829 – 1908) was the leader of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska who successfully argued in U.S. District Court in Omaha that Native Americans are "persons within the meaning of the law" and have the right to a fair and just trial. Standing Bear became the first Native American to be recognized as a person in the 1879 federal court decision. Standing Bear spent his life in constant struggle to gain equality and justice for Native Americans. Standing Bear was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 1977.