Chief Standing Bear Trail approved

Lawmakers adopted a resolution June 4 that recognizes the struggles and accomplishments of Chief Standing Bear and supports the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs’ development and designation of the Chief Standing Bear Trail from Nebraska to Oklahoma.

Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas said she introduced LR171 because May was the 134th anniversary of the Standing Bear v. Crook decision in which the U.S. District Court in Omaha ruled that Native Americans are “persons” within the meaning of the law. The landmark civil rights case resulted from the Ponca tribe being forced by Europeans to give up their land and move to present-day Oklahoma, she said, a journey in which nearly one-third of the tribe died due to starvation and harsh conditions.

“This journey illustrates our not so proud history of our true native citizens and it is essential to raise the level of awareness in order to promote justice and equality in the U.S. legal system,” Dubas said. “The trail would help increase that awareness.”

Furthermore, she said, Native Americans in Nebraska continue to struggle with poverty and their children suffer when they are removed from their original culture and heritage and placed in the child welfare system.

Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash supported the resolution, saying it is important to inform people of the state’s past and prevent future injustice from occurring.

“The history of this trail is intertwined with the history of the state and it is important for the Legislature to recognize that history,” he said. “Not understanding history is a factor that continues to marginalize certain populations.”

The resolution was adopted on a 46-0 vote.