Creating the sculpture of Chief Standing Bear has been one of the most meaningful projects of my career. My bronze sculpture honors his courage, the resilience of the Ponca people, and a pivotal moment in history: the first time a Native American was recognized as a human being under U.S. law. After losing his son, Bear Shield, during a forced march to Oklahoma, Chief Standing Bear honored his son’s dying wish to be buried with their ancestors in Nebraska. He walked over 500 miles to fulfill...