Senators ask for Standing Bear to be put on coin

“The role that Chief Standing Bear played in advancing civil rights in this country deserves our utmost respect, appreciation and recognition,” said Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, sponsor of the resolution.

Gov. Dave Heineman has sent a letter requesting that Standing Bear be one of the designs, and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has made a similar request, Avery said.

The effort began after Congress approved a bill in September honoring the contributions of Native people to U.S. history. The bill calls for a different Native leader to be featured on the flip side of the Sacagawea coin each year starting in 2009.

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, the Congressional Native American Caucus and the National Congress of American Indians, will choose the Native leaders to be featured.