Standing Bear's Quest for Freedom by Lawrence A. Dwyer

The Story

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.

Civil Rights Victory

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.

America Would Never Be the Same Again

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.

Highlights of Standing Bear's Quest for Freedom

Based on the author's ten years of research from primary sources , you will hear Chief Standing Bear, the members of the Ponca Tribe, and other participants in this historic case speak for themselves. As you read this book, you will be able to:

Journey with members of the Ponca Tribe in the forced removal from their ancestral homeland to barren Indian Territory in Oklahoma--following a diary of the march and the Journey of Sorrows Map with dates and locations of the 500 mile trek.
View 28 historic photographs of the people and places accompanying the chapter events.
Feel a part of each of the historic events as they unfold.
Experience the first civil rights victory for Native Americans.
Witness the first speech ever presented by a Native American in a Federal Courtroom.
Search the 400+ endnotes linking the verifiable sources to the events and testimony in this landmark case.

Study Questions for Books Clubs & Students

One of the final sections of the book includes study questions for each of the chapters prepared especially for book club discussions and student study.

Book Format and Ordering Information

This new November 2022 edition is available from any bookstore. It can also be ordered online from Bison Books, UNL Press, or Amazon (e.g., Print or Kindle). Press below.

Order HERE-Amazon

Book Format and Ordering Information

This new November 2022 edition is available from any bookstore. It can be ordered online from Bison Books, UNL Press. Press Order Here below.

Order HERE - Bison Books, UNL Press

Speaking Engagements

Larry makes the story of Standing Bear come alive for all those who hear him. For speaking request information, contact: kldbooksOmaha@gmail.com.