Dedication of Ponca Chief Standing Bear of Nebraska

Chief Standing Bear was a Native American civil rights activist.

Chief Standing Bear was a Native American civil rights activist whose landmark lawsuit established legal rights and protections for Native Americans. Photo by Franmarie Metzler.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made remarks at the ceremony. Photo by Franmarie Metzler.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made remarks at the ceremony. Photo by Franmarie Metzler.

The ceremony included traditional drumming and singing from a descendant of Chief Standing Bear.

The ceremony included traditional drumming and singing from a descendant of Chief Standing Bear. Photo by Ike Hayman.

Chief Standing Bear was a Native American civil rights activist.

The statue was revealed by Members of congress, members of the Ponca nation, and members of the Nebraska state legislature. Photo by Franmarie Metzler.

Members of Congress, guests honor Native American civil rights leader

On September 18, Members of Congress, members of Nebraska's state government, and other distinguished guests gathered in Statuary Hall for the Congressional statue dedication and unveiling ceremony in honor of Ponca Chief Standing Bear of Nebraska. 

Standing Bear was a Native American civil rights activist best known for bringing a suit against the United States government in 1879 after the Ponca tribe was forcibly removed from their Nebraska homeland to reservations in Oklahoma. This landmark case recognized Native Americans as "persons within the meaning of the law" entitled to legal rights and protections.  

“Our nation takes another step forward as we honor a man of extraordinary courage, perseverance, and strength, Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Tribe,” said U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12). “With this statue, we honor all native peoples who met injustice and intolerance with dignity and determination.” 

Every state can contribute two statues each to the National Statuary Hall Collection. The statue of Standing Bear replaces Nebraska's statue of William Jennings Bryan, which is now on display at the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, Nebraska. To learn more about the National Statuary Hall Collection, visit the Architect of the Capitol's website.