Standing Bear
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  • Story of Standing Bear
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Project History
    • Project History
    • Genevieve Pollak, Co-Founder
    • Carl Renfro, Co-Founder
    • Oreland C. Joe Sr., Artist
    • Ed Pensoneau, Tribal Elder
    • Parrish Williams, Tribal Elder
  • Resources Gallery
  • Area Tribes
    • Area Tribes
    • Dance Styles
    • Pow Wow Calendar
    • Tradition & Etiquette
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The Project History

In 1993, a monument was unveiled in downtown Ponca City.  The plans for that monument and the celebration of its unveiling pulled back the curtain on the cultural differences and the discomfort that existed between the Native American and the non-Native America parts of our community.
 
Two community leaders, Carl Renfro, (then chairman/CEO of Pioneer Bank & Trust) and Genevieve Pollack (then Chair of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma) came together to discuss those differences.  Approaching the situation from different perspectives, but having a common goal of community wellbeing, they agreed to lead an effort to educate the community and start the healing process.  They involved community leaders from both parts of the community along with elected officials from each of the area tribes, sharing a commitment to their common goal.
 
The Ponca City Native American Foundation (renamed Standing Bear Native American Foundation, Inc. in 1999) was formed in 1993 and incorporated in 1994. Based in Ponca City, Kay County, Oklahoma, the 501(c)(3) foundation was organized to address concerns about the perceived lack of recognition of Native American contributions to the area's culture. Ponca City, a community of approximately 24,000 is surrounded by Native American communities with a combined population of almost 35,000. Although these two groups are geographic neighbors sharing economic influences, there is a separation of cultures that has been perpetuated by years of angry misunderstandings. A primary part of the mission of the Standing Bear Native American Foundation is to promote intercultural understanding. As we continue with the Standing Bear project, we are achieving closer cooperation not only between the Native American and non-Native American communities, but also among the participating tribes.

The Mission

•  To educate all peoples to the important role and heritage of Native Americans in the development of our country’s diverse culture; 
•  To increase economic and educational opportunities for Native Americans; 
•  To promote intercultural understanding and communication; 
•  To provide a catalyst to improve and enhance the self-worth of Native Americans.

Project Development
- The Standing Bear Statue

In honor of Ponca tribal leader, Chief Standing Bear, a 22-foot bronze statue of him was created and is the focal point of an eight-acre park.  The statue stands on a limestone boulder at the park’s highest point, overlooking the statue viewing court.  The park was opened with the unveiling of the statue in 1996. 
 
The circular viewing court is set five feet below the base of the statue and is separated from it by a cut limestone retaining wall.  In the center of the court is an eternal flame rising through limestone that appears to float above the reflecting pool (seasonal).  The decorative paving in the court is divided into eight quadrants separated by red bands pointing to the eight compass points.  Each section bears the name of one of the eight original Ponca clans.  Around the outside of the circle, in a colored gravel bed, are natural limestone boulders.  Each is inlaid with a bronze replica of one of the tribal seals of the six area tribes.

Arrival of the Statue

The Making of a Monument

Oreland C. Joe, Standing Bear Statue Sculptor

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Artist
Oreland C.
​Joe

About the Artist
Oreland C. Joe, a Southern Ute/Navajo was selected from over fifty applicants from around the world.  Joe was the first Native American elected to the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America and has been featured in numerous national magazines and art shows.  His depiction of Standing Bear embodies the dignity and wisdom of the tribal Chief, as well as a sense of the hardships he endured.  Oreland maintains a close relationship with the Standing Bear project and has returned to the park on several occasions.

Keith Franklin, Standing Bear Landscape Architect

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Architect
Keith
​Franklin

LandPlan Consultants, Inc.
Choosing the right landscape architect to help in the development of Standing Bear Park was a critical decision.  Keith Franklin (LandPlan Consultants, Inc.) was selected to do the initial park design and he and his associates have been the landscape designers on every subsequent phase of park development.  He also designed the permanent pow wow arbor.  By the time we complete the pond restoration project, our work together will have spanned three decades.  It’s a special relationship and we are grateful.

Whit Todd, Standing Bear Museum Architect

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From the very beginning there were plans for a museum at Standing Bear Park.  We started working with architect Whit Todd in 2000.  His initial design came to life in 2007 after we struggled with capital funding for many years.  He stuck-it-out with us and today his presence is felt in the building we call home.  Whit has practiced architecture throughout the United States for over three decades and is now the Principal at Todd Architecture Group. 

The Making of a Memorial

Tribal Viewing Courts

With the 2000 unveiling of the tribal viewing courts, the Foundation paid tribute to the six area tribes: the Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca, and Tonkawa. 
 
A visitor to the park will find tribal “stories” portrayed through a variety of means, including decorative concrete, with colored, sandblasted and inlaid designs, written information on plaques, carefully reproduced photographs, and audio information.
 
These viewing courts are linked by a walking trail that has an orientation court at each end and ends at the statue viewing court. 
​

Pow Wow Arbor & Arena

Each year, the six area tribes come together to host the annual Standing Bear Pow Wow.  This event, which is held the last Friday and Saturday in September, has become a community favorite and provides a way to learn about the traditions of all six tribes.
 
In 2005, the Foundation dedicated a permanent pow wow arbor and arena located just west of the memorial park.  This steel structure features a concrete walkway around the arena with inlaid granite plaques.  These plaques bear photos of dancers as well as text about the dances someone would most likely see at a pow wow in this area.  ​

Museum & Education Center

The Standing Bear Museum and Education Center is a uniquely  designed building that creatively defines a space set aside to honor the Native American culture in the Ponca City community.  It houses the museum, education center, art gallery and administrative offices and was opened in 2007.  

​The six area tribes are honored with display cases in the rotunda.  Throughout the building there are sculptures, paintings, and photographs.  Included in those sculptures are the original models that were submitted when the Foundation was looking for an artist to create the Standing Bear Statue. 

Scenic Byway Project

The Osage Nation Heritage Trail was designated as an Oklahoma Scenic Byway with one end of the byway in Ponca City and the other in Bartlesville (stretching along 70 miles of US HWY 60.)
 
In 2012 the Standing Bear Foundation completed enhancements dedicated to the byway.  Signage, parking, and a welcome wall surround a large, colorful concrete map designed to show the relationship of the byway to the area tribal lands.
 
There is also a Founders Court honoring the co-founders of the Standing Bear project.  Centered in that court is a stone topped with a bronze statue titled “Inspiration” created by Allan Houser. ​

Pond Restoration Project

2021 marked the beginning of a long-awaited project to restore the arrowhead shaped pond in the park.  There will be some repair work to the sidewalk as well as the addition of some other amenities.  These improvements will be designed to enhance the visitor experience of local citizens as well as travelers who stop along their way.
 
The formal design phase of the project is now underway, and we are looking forward to starting construction. 
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Photograph by Homer Nicholson
Statue, Museum to Honor Ponca Tribal Chief - The Oklahoman, 1994
Artist Picked to Sculpt Ponca Chief - The Oklahoman, 1995
Picture

Architect
Whit
​Todd

Todd Architecture Group
From the very beginning there were plans for a museum at Standing Bear Park.  We started working with architect Whit Todd in 2000.  His initial design came to life in 2007 after we struggled with capital funding for many years.  He stuck-it-out with us and today his presence is felt in the building we call home.  Whit has practiced architecture throughout the United States for over three decades and is now the Principal at Todd Architecture Group. 
​​

Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center

Contact

580-762-1514
​
​601 Standing Bear Parkway
P.O. Box 247, Ponca City, OK  74602

T.L Walker, Executive Director
​TL
@standingbearpark.com​
Tony Coleman, Facilities Manager
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Visit

Standing Bear Museum & Education Center
Monday-Friday - 9AM-4PM
Saturday - ​10AM-2PM

Standing Bear Park
Open Daily - 6AM-9PM
This project is made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
However, the opinions expressed by a grant supported outside agent do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of ODL or IMLS, and no official endorsement by those entities should be inferred.​

​© 2022 Standing Bear Native American Foundation - Photography by Speak Now - Website by MyMediaMatters
  • Home
  • Story of Standing Bear
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Project History
    • Project History
    • Genevieve Pollak, Co-Founder
    • Carl Renfro, Co-Founder
    • Oreland C. Joe Sr., Artist
    • Ed Pensoneau, Tribal Elder
    • Parrish Williams, Tribal Elder
  • Resources Gallery
  • Area Tribes
    • Area Tribes
    • Dance Styles
    • Pow Wow Calendar
    • Tradition & Etiquette