Standing Bear Is a Person

A "remarkable" account of a Native American's battle for his civil rights in 19th century America (Washington Times).

In a federal courtroom in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1879, Standing Bear, clan chief of the small and peaceful Ponca tribe, was in court demanding the same basic right that white Americans enjoyed—the right to be recognized legally as a human being. The compelling, behind-the-scenes story of that landmark court case, and the subsequent reverberations of the judge's ruling across nineteenth-century America is told in Stephen Dando-Collin's "brisk and evocative account" (Kirkus Reviews).

It is a story of memorable Old West characters who joined the fight for Standing Bear and paved his way to the courthouse: the former Indian-fighting Army general who changed sides to stand with Standing Bear; the crusading Midwestern newspaper editor who had once been a gun-toting frontier preacher; and the "most beautiful Indian maiden of her time," Bright Eyes. Full of colorful characters, battles of legal wits, and the twists and turns of a cause in search of an audience, Standing Bear Is a Person is a captivating read.

"Dando-Collins captures the full drama of Standing Bear's struggle, which culminates in a riveting courtroom scene." —Booklist

"A fascinating behind-the-scenes story." — Arizona Daily Star

"A taut tale . . .A great story." — Roanoke Times