Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. Luther Standing Bear, in dark jacket and pants, seated on jail bunk, reading book, probably Bible Luther Standing Bear, aka Ota Kte (meaning Plenty Kill) or Mochunozhin, was a Native American writer and actor. Although Standing Bear achieved many successes by American standards, including becoming a member of the Actor's Guild of Hollywood, the plight of his people remained foremost in his mind. The Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 was particularly disturbing to him. Standing Bear published books during his lifetime to educate the public about Native American and Lakota culture and government policies toward his people. These included My People the Sioux (1928), Land of the Spotted Eagle (1933), and Stories of the Sioux (1934). In 1939, he died of the flu while on the set of the film Union Pacific. He is buried in Los Angeles, California's Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Related to the article, “Indian Chief Begins Term, Standing Bear Deplores His Jailing and Tells of Sioux Punishment.” Los Angeles Times, 8 May 1935. Print. The article states: "The lines in Chief Luther Standing Bear’s face were sad yesterday. But his voice was strong as he began serving his year sentence in the County Jail on an immorality charge. … and May 6, 1935, “Chief Standing Bear Given Year Term in County Jail.” … The 71-year-old author, actor and educator recently pleaded guilty to making improper advances to a young half-breed Piute girl …" Text from nitrate negative sleeve: Bear, Chief Standing At lower right corner of negative: 130 Handwritten at edge of negative: Chief Standing Bear
Type
image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1429_0909 0909 ark:/21198/zz002db8gn
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Jails People Tribal chiefs--United States Government Bibles Legal Crime Standing Bear, Luther, 1868?-1939
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