The True Story of a Native American’s Quest for Justice
‘Dando-Collins’ remarkable history’ – Washington Times, USA
‘A fascinating behind-the-scenes story’ – Nebraska Commission of Indian Affairs, USA
‘Captures the full drama’ – Booklist (American Library Association), USA
‘Dando-Collins does a superb job’ – Southwest Book Views, USA
‘A fascinating page turner… Dando-Collins weaves a thrilling story… Intensely complicated circumstance are consistently illuminated with clarity’ – Indian Quarterly, USA
‘Dando-Collins tells the story beautifully, with style… bringing to life what a less-skilled writer might have made simply pages of legal details’ – The Federal Lawyer, USA
‘Compelling’ – ForeWord, USA
‘Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults’ – KLIATT, USA
Telling A Gripping Story That Had Never Before Been Fully Told
Standing Bear is a Person
In 1879, Standing Bear, a clan chief of the Ponca, a small Plains tribe that lived on the border between Nebraska and South Dakota and which had always adhered to its treaties with the United States Government, went to court to prove that, in the eyes of US law, he was a person. Up till then, Native Americans had no rights under US law.
This landmark case, the first step on the slow trail to justice for Native American people, was made by possible by a unique coalition…
A US Army general who had the reputation of being one of America’s greatest Indian fighters, and who put his career on the line for Standing Bear.
A crusading Omaha newspaper editor who was once a gun-toting preacher and one of the finest shots in the West.
A young attorney with a brilliant idea, but who nonetheless doubted that the case could be won. And his partner, a lawyer who had not appeared in court in sixteen years.
And a shy Indian princess who was to become world famous.
Standing Bear is a Person has all the hallmarks of a Hollywood movie, yet every word is true.
Like so many of Stephen Dando-Collins’ books, this work broke new ground. It was written with the help of the Ponca tribe and the publisher of the same Omaha newspaper which, back in 1879, had supported Standing Bear’s case.
Da Capo Press. Hardcover. ISBN 0-306-81370-X
Paperback. ISBN 0-306-81441-2