Downtown in Lincoln in Lancaster County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Chief Standing Bear
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 23, 2022
1. Chief Standing Bear Marker
Inscription.
Chief Standing Bear. . From his birth on the banks of the Niobrara River in Nebraska until his death in 1908, Chief Standing Bear spent his life in a constant struggle to gain equality and justice for our nation's Native Americans. Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca Tribe were forced in 1877 by federal treaty to leave their homeland in Nebraska for Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. The hardship of travel, illness, and the conditions of Indian Territory caused many members of the tribe to perish, including Chief Standing Bear's son. Determined to bury his son in his home land, Chief Standing Bear led thirty members of his tribe back to their home in Nebraska, where he was arrested by federal authorities. At his trial, Standing Bear advocated for the dignity and personhood of all Native Americans. By doing so, he became the first to achieve recognition in court for Native Americans to be considered as persons under law. In July of 2022, the State of Nebraska unveiled the Standing Bear sculpture, created by artist Benjamin Victor, to commemorate the dedication of the Chief Standing Bear Justice Administration Building. It was the hope of all present that the sculpture and building will serve as an enduring reminder to future generations of Chief Standing Bear's legacy to the cause of justice.
From his birth on the banks of the Niobrara River in Nebraska until his death in 1908, Chief Standing Bear spent his life in a constant struggle to gain equality and justice for our nation's Native Americans. Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca Tribe were forced in 1877 by federal treaty to leave their homeland in Nebraska for Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. The hardship of travel, illness, and the conditions of Indian Territory caused many members of the tribe to perish, including Chief Standing Bear's son. Determined to bury his son in his home land, Chief Standing Bear led thirty members of his tribe back to their home in Nebraska, where he was arrested by federal authorities. At his trial, Standing Bear advocated for the dignity and personhood of all Native Americans. By doing so, he became the first to achieve recognition in court for Native Americans to be considered as persons under law. In July of 2022, the State of Nebraska unveiled the Standing Bear sculpture, created by artist Benjamin Victor, to commemorate the dedication of the Chief Standing Bear Justice Administration Building. It was the hope of
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all present that the sculpture and building will serve as an enduring reminder to future generations of Chief Standing Bear's legacy to the cause of justice.
Location. 40° 48.522′ N, 96° 42.084′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Nebraska, in Lancaster County. It is in Downtown. It is on South 14th Street just south of K Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 521 South 14th Street, Lincoln NE 68508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Chief Standing Bear (here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln Memorial
The Ponca paramount chief White Goose, Standing Bear, and other Ponca leaders met with U.S. Indian Agent A. J. Carrier and signed a document allowing removal to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). White Eagle and other Ponca leaders later claimed that because of a mistranslation, he had understood that they were to move to the Omaha Reservation, not to the Indian Territory.
(Submitted on December 8, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 23, 2022
3. Chief Standing Bear
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 23, 2022
4. Chief Standing Bear
Time Capsule buried as part of the dedication.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 474 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
