Standing Bear's Quest for Freedom: First Civil Rights Victory for Native Americans

by Lawrence A. Dwyer

This is a story of a great and noble man. A man of courage and determination who was willing to face arrest for leaving the government's reservation without its permission--all because of his love for his son and his people. Standing Bear was a man who fought for his freedom, not with armed resistance, but with bold action, strong testimony and heartfelt eloquence. He knew he and his people had been wronged. All he wanted was the right to live and die with his family on his own land - on the beloved land of his Ponca ancestors.

This story is a civil rights victory for Native Americans, unprecedented in American history. For the first time, a federal court declared a Native American to be a "person" - a human being, having rights and privileges to file an action for a redress of grievances in a federal court, like every other person in America. Standing Bear won his fight for freedom. His victory began a movement of change, a slow change, but a change, nevertheless. The pervading sense of indifference toward Native Americans was broken. America would never be the same because of what Standing Bear did.

262 pages, ebook

Published October 14, 2019

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief but powerful book about the trial of Standing Bear. Dwyer does a good job of laying the proper foundation so that the reader understands just how important this was. Long story short: Standing Bear was forced off of his land onto a reservation. The living conditions there were horrendous and he didn't want to stay. The Omaha tribe was fine with him living on their land but the Federal government freaked out.

Fair warning for thin skinned readers that cannot deal with looking at America's past atrocities, this one isn't for you. For everyone else, this short book is a must read.

[Pauline Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compassionately written story of Standing Bear. The talented lawyers that represented Standing Bear worked and won the civil rights court case for Native Americans. Even his captor, General Crook was on Standing Bears side. Great history of Omaha, NE. Highly recommend!

[Dan Shonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence Dwyer is a lawyer by trade and his writing style shows it. His attention to detail brings the heartbreaking reality of the story to the readers. At the end of each chapter he summarizes it. Probably not necessary, but not a bad thing. Throughout the entire text the reader learns what every American citizen should be taught: how the white men running much of the government have almost continually lied and cheated Native Americans. Even the peace loving ones like Standing Bear's Ponca. The account of the Omaha tribe and then the citizens of Omaha, Nebraska along with the judge hearing the trial and the Colonel (Major? General?) in charge of Fort Omaha all give the reader some hope in people. Unlike virtually anybody from Indian Affairs. This is an important piece of U.S. history that all students should be required to read.