Members of the tribes of north central Oklahoma came together to celebrate the 27th Annual Standing Bear Powwow. The Kaw Nation, The Pawnee Nation, The Osage Nation, The Ponca Nation, The Otoe-Missouria Tribe, and The Ponca Nation took on the tremendous responsibility in hosting the celebration and including the members of all the north central Oklahoma tribes.

During 2020 and 2021, the Standing Bear Powwow was unable to be held. Because of the pandemic, the tribes were not able to gather for the celebration.

Chairman of the Standing Bear Foundation, Carl R. Renfro, dedicated this year’s powwow to all of the lives lost during the COVID19 outbreak, “Since we were together in 2019 man of us have lost friends and family, so the singing and dancing this year will, even more then normal, be for those who cannot be with us.”

Throughout the weekend of Sept. 23 and 24, there were a number of events hosted for the community. They began with Gourd Dancing, then the princess contest, Grand Entry, and more. The different tribes came together to pay their respects to Standing Bear and connect with the people around them.

Standing Bear was faced with insurmountable odds, and yet he over came them. During the 500-mile winter and by the end of 1878 158 of the 730 Poncas had died from pneumonia and malaria, among these was his son and daughter. His son, Bear Shield, asked his father to be buried in the land of his grandfathers instead of the land they were forced to live. Standing bear and 29 others fled to their homelands to keep his word to his son. After they made the 10 week journey back to the Omaha reservation in Nebraska, the Poncas were taken by soldiers. It was then that they were faced with a new fight.

The people believed this case should have been brought to trial for protection under the 14th Amendment, but the lawmakers of the time had to decide if Indians were considered “people.”

Standing Bear made the argument to the court, “My hand is not the color of yours, but if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand you will also feel pain, The blood that will flow from mine will be the same color as yours. I am a man. The same God made us both.”

After a two day trial, Judge Dundy ruled in favor of Standing Bear and Standing Bear won this battle not only for himself, but for all American Indians to be consider persons under United States law.

There were many different beautiful dances and songs that were experienced by the community during the Standing Bear Powwow. From the Cloth dancing of the women to the Grass dancing of the men and even the Tiny Tots Contest, everyone was honored and acknowledged in the performances.