Native American Book Review: I Am a Man: Chief Standing Bear's Journey for Justice

 I Am a Man: Chief Standing Bear's Journey for Justice by Joe Starita, St. Martin's Press, New York, 2008.

The story of Chief Standing Bear is intriguing. in 1879 he sued for habeas corpus, and it was granted by Judge Elmer Dundy, a federal judge in Omaha, Nebraska.  This followed some very rough treatment by the federal government towards the Ponca.  They had been granted their reservation on traditional land, which they had as long as they could remember, which was ratified in 1867.  However their land was included in the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 as being granted to the Lakota.  The Lakota had not asked for this land, and did not want it.  Even so an Indian agent, E.C. Kimball arrived and said they had to move to Indian Territory in the south.  Money had already been granted for the move authorized by President Grant.  The Ponca were adamant about not wanting to move.  The agent finally convinced some of the leaders to go an look at the new territory.  This they did but could not find any they desired.  They informed the agent "no."  However the agent insisted.  He would not help them home, so they went on their own, at their own expense.  Still the government insisted on their removal.  1877 was the year of removal, the Trail of Tears of the Ponca.  Many died on the way, and upon arrival in Oklahoma the deaths continued.  The Ponca were not acc limated to the Oklahoma weather, and they were left without adequate food, nor housing.  Most faced the winter weather in tents.  The deaths continues.  Quickly the hills were filled with graves, the son of Standing Bear among them.  Standing Bear promised his son to take him home to bury him.  S he and a group of about 25 did just that, headed north to take him home.  They faced serious hardship from the weather, but finally made it to the Omaha reservation, a few miles shy of their native home.

There they were intercepted by federal troops who were intent on taking them back to the reservation.  They were under the command of General George Crook.  Crook was not too pleased with his roll, and suggested newspaper men, religious people might provide soe relief.  This is how the case of Standing Bear vs General George Crook arrived in court.

Even with the award of habeas corpus, this set the Ponca free, but not give them title to their land.  That would take several more years.  Standing Bear, Bright Eyes, Omaha and interpreter, a newspaper man, Thomas Henry Tibbles, and the brother of Bright Eyes, Woodworker.  The tour was successful, but not witthout hardship.  During the tour Tibbles's wife would pass away, and Standing Bear's brother would be murdered on the southern reservation by Indian agents.

It took another few years before the Ponca were restored to their land.  They lived on an island in the Niobrara River for a time, but always they were industrious raising crops.  It was finally President Rytherfor Hayes for forced through a Ponca Relief bill.  The Sioux formally gave up any right to the land, and the Ponca were restored through an allotment process to about a quarter of their original land.  This was for the Northern Ponca.  The Southern Ponca chose to stay in Oklahoma.