Poncas divided by 1879 removal to reunite

Tuesday, February 13, 2007  

The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska will reuinte for the first time on Wednesday since they were divided by the United States 125 years ago.

The federal government removed the Poncas from their homelands in Nebraska and the Dakotas. In 1877, they were forced to march to Oklahoma, where they endured harsh conditions and lost nearly one-third of their people.

After eighteen months, Chief Standing Bear brought some of his people back to Nebraska in 1879. His arrest led to a landmark court ruling that said Indians had individual rights.

By 1882, the Ponca Tribe re-established itself in Nebraska. Those who remained in Indian Territory became the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma.

The councils of both federally-recognized tribes will now meet at their first official meeting on the campus of Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas. The tribes will discuss joint projects and shared legal, cultural and other concerns.

Relevant Links:
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska - http://www.poncatribe-ne.org

Opinion: Poncas ignored again over state quarter (06/06)
Ponca chief won't appear on Nebraska state quarter (6/2)
Nebraska to celebrate Ponca Chief Standing Bear (05/12)
Day proposed in honor of Ponca Chief Standing Bear (04/05)
Image of Ponca chief a finalist for Nebraska quarter (02/03)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native image on coin inspires pride (09/14)
Ponca chief design a finalist for Nebraska quarter (09/03)