Standing Bear Response

The reading that most affected me was Standing Bear's response, "What I Am Going to Tell You Here Will Take Me Until Dark". First off, it takes an immense amount of courage to stand up to the people who by force are taking over your land and controlling your people, and later taking them to court. When the issue was addressed and ruled in favor of in a court of law, it became the catalyst for more equal treatment, acknowledgment and respect for the Native Americans and their people. This declared that the Native Americans were "people" within the meaning of the laws in the United States. Not to mention the fact that this occurred after he lost one-third of his people on the "trail of tears". 

In his address he reminded us that we are all under the kingdom of God, and that he is our creator and our guide. He then goes on by reminding the audience what the white people have "taken" from him and his people. The land was taken, not sold, not traded, not given. He then went further to say that if the good lord himself wanted this land, there would be no price in trade, even for God. And finally he reminds the audience that they would not appreciate anything taken from them, and that what is theirs is truly their own. I think this speaks huge volumes and for him to stand up for his people in-front of all of those who took from him by force makes it that much more courageous.