Chief Standing Bear 1
native dress

Chief Standing Bear 2
in suit

These two emu eggs honor the man whose actions clarified the status of Native Americans  

By the time Standing Bear was born, the Ponca had settled in an area around the mouth of the Niobrara River.  In 1858 they gave up all lands except this small reserve.  In the Treaty of 1868, the U. S. government included the Ponca's land in the territory of their traditional enemies, the Sioux.  The Sioux raided the area and many lives were lost.  The government's proposal to end the raids was to move the Ponca to Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma).  The Ponca refused and were forced to move.  Standing Bear and a group of about 30 tried to return to their homes on the Niobrara.  They were stopped, arrested and ordered back to Indian Territory.  However, their story was told to the public by Thomas Tibbles of the Omaha World-Herald.   With the help of Tibbles and some others, Standing Bear petitioned the court by a writ of Habeas Corpus.  The judge had to rule on whether or not an Indian had the same rights of freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.  The government tried to prove that Indians were neither people nor citizens, and therefore could not bring suit against the U. S. government.  The judge ruled in Standing Bear's favor, stating that an Indian was indeed a person within the law and that the Ponca were being held illegally.   President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed a government commission which investigated and arranged for the return of the Ponca from Indian Territory.
 
 Standing Bear became a popular speaker and between 1879 to 1883 spoke to hundreds of groups about Indian rights. He then returned to his old home on the Niobrara and farmed his land.  He died in 1908.

This carved egg comes with a hand turned hardwood egg stand and can become a personalized gift with an inscription on the back.

Because of the variations of color and texture inherent in the emu egg itself, each carved egg will be unique and make a distinctive addition to any decor or collection.  If you are looking for a "different" housewarming gift, birthday present or other special occasion gift, an egg of this type would be ideal for someone interested in western history or American Indian culture.

#156 Standing Bear 1 native dress Carved Emu Egg $120.00

#164 Standing Bear 2 in suit Carved Emu Egg $95.00