About the Prize

The Standing Bear Prize for Courage is a project of the Chief Standing Bear Project Inc.  The Purpose of the Corporation is to promote the life and civil rights legacy of Chief Standing Bear, a Native American of the Ponca Tribe, by presenting public discussion groups, forums, lectures and other events, and annually recognizing with a cash award a person who exemplifies courage in the spirit of Standing Bear. 

The Chief Standing Bear Prize for Courage will return in 2027. We look forward to celebrating with you then. In the meantime, continue to visit this page for news and announcements regarding our next ceremony.

Criteria and Eligibility

Chief Standing Bear exhibited immense courage throughout his life, as a father, tribal leader and Native American, acting against powerful societal forces which, although clearly wrong, were accepted by the culture of his day. The Chief Standing Bear Prize for Courage is established in his honor to recognize Native Americans that exemplify courage in the spirit of Chief Standing Bear. The Chief Standing Bear Prize for Courage celebrates Native Americans who do what is right, rather than what is expedient and who have exhibited contemporary acts of political or societal courage in their lifetime. Recipients of this Prize will be selected because they represent the many courageous people upon whom our country depends and not because they are considered the most courageous person in the country.