Ponca Chief Standing Bear. Photo from Wikipedia

Legislation that would lead to the designation of the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail is gaining traction on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebraska) introduced H.R.5086 on July 11. The bill directs the Interior Department to study the feasibility of a trail that follows the forced removal and return of the Ponca Tribe to Nebraska.

"I believe that the story of the great Ponca chief is one of strength, grace, and dignity in the most basic protection of human rights," Fortenberry said in testimony to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation on Tuesday. "It is a story that I think needs to be told and told and retold, and cherished by all Americans of coming generations."

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska) and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) are also joining the effort. They introduced S.2745 on Thursday.

“Chief Standing Bear is not only an important part of Nebraska’s rich history, he is a key figure in our American civil rights story” Johanns said in a press release. “Through his love for his son, he showed the power one person can have to enact meaningful change. His story stands as a testament to the power of our nation’s justice system and cements him as one of our nation’s fighters for equality.”

“By attempting to fulfill his dying son’s last wish, Chief Standing Bear set upon a path to recognize the dignity inherent with his people, and established himself as a major figure in the American struggle for civil rights,” Fischer added. “No matter what our circumstances, the potential for an individual to affect change is tremendous. A father’s love for his son enabled a government to recognize the rights of Native Americans before the law.”

After being forced to move to present-day Oklahoma, Chief Standing Bear was arrested for returning to Nebraska. His struggle led to a landmark federal court decision in 1879 that affirmed the right of Native people to be treated as "persons within the meaning of the law."

Get the Story:
Fischer, Johanns join push for Standing Bear trail (AP 8/1)
Standing Bear Trail (The Norfolk Daily News 7/31)

Committee Notice:
Legislative Hearing on H.R. 445, H.R. 1785, H.R. 4119, H.R. 4901, H.R. 4979, S. 311, S. 476, and S. 609 (July 29, 2014)

Related Stories:
Ponca Tribe museum features headdress worn by Standing Bear (07/08)
Kevin Abourezk: Bill to recognize forced march of Ponca Tribe (06/24)
Ponca Tribe aims to move into new headquarters in early 2015 (05/13)
Gloria Hamilton: Chief Standing Bear stood up for human rights (05/12)