STANDING BEAR WAS ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO GO HOME – THEN HIS CASE FORCED A U.S. COURT TO DECIDE IF A NATIVE MAN WAS A “PERSON”

The Ponca endured further disruptions.

The Northern Ponca were terminated in the twentieth century.

They regained federal recognition in 1990.

Standing Bear was later memorialized in bridges, statues, and a U.S. postage stamp.

But none of those honors is the deepest reason the case matters.

The deepest reason is the decision Standing Bear made before anyone knew there would be a case.