Henry Standing Bear facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Standing Bear
Henry Standing Bear in 1879
Oglala Lakota leader
Personal details
Born	Mato Naji 1874 United States
Died	October 17, 1953(1953-10-17) (aged 78–79) United States
Relations	Luther Standing Bear (brother)

Henry Standing Bear (born around 1874 – died 1953) was an important leader of the Oglala Lakota people. His Lakota name was "Matȟó Nážiŋ," which means Standing Bear. He worked hard to protect and promote the rights and culture of Native Americans.

Henry Standing Bear was also the brother of Luther Standing Bear, who was a well-known writer and actor.

A Champion for Native Americans

Henry Standing Bear was a founding member of the Society of American Indians. This group was active from 1911 to 1923. It was one of the first national organizations run by Native Americans. Its goal was to improve the lives of Native Americans. They worked for better education and healthcare. They also fought for their rights as citizens.

The Crazy Horse Memorial Project

One of Henry Standing Bear's biggest achievements was starting the Crazy Horse Memorial. This is a giant mountain carving in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills are a very special and sacred place for the Lakota people.

Why Build the Memorial?

Henry Standing Bear wanted to honor the great Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse. He felt it was important to show the world that Native Americans have heroes too. He also wanted to remind people of the rich history and culture of his people. He believed this monument would help educate future generations.

Choosing the Sculptor

In 1939, Henry Standing Bear asked a Polish-American sculptor named Korczak Ziolkowski to create the memorial. Ziolkowski had worked on the Mount Rushmore carving nearby. Henry Standing Bear chose him because he believed Ziolkowski understood his vision. He wanted a monument that truly honored Crazy Horse and the Lakota spirit. The work on the memorial began in 1948 and is still ongoing today.