Standing Bear and the Ponca: A Forgotten Legacy

Abstract

This paper aims to heighten the general public’s awareness of the major American event that was the landmark case, Standing Bear v. Crook. The Ponca tribe’s and Standing Bear’s positive reputation of peaceful assimilation into white culture allowed for the court case to take place. Neither the ensuing verdicts would have been granted to other tribes such as the Sioux or Cheyenne. Standing Bear and his lawyers argued the case with different strategies. Standing Bear presented an emotional appeal, while his lawyers concentrated on the legalities of the case. While both arguments had the same end goal, the latter was more effective and should receive most of the credit for the favorable verdict and subsequent changes in Native American status.