LINCOLN- The legacy of Chief Standing Bear, who in 1879 helped to attain Indigenous rights in the United States, weighs heavily on State Sen. Tom Brewer, the first Native American to serve in the Nebraska Legislature. According to Brewer, it's helped him shape his legislation. "Native Americans haven't had a champion in the Legislature, so when I first came in, I knew it had to be something I focused on," said Brewer.

Over the weekend, Brewer, a member of the Ogalala Sioux Tribe, became the second person to receive the prestigious, national Chief Standing Bear Prize for Courage. The prize aims to continue Standing Bear's legacy of leadership. "As native people, we're always thinking about our actions today, how they're going to impact our descendants seven generations from now," said Katie Brossy, the leader of the Chief Standing Bear Project.

Brewer grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation before joining the army, with his service taking him to the mountains of Afghanistan. While serving, Brewer earned two Purple Hearts, but said that the Chief Standing Bear Prize stands above that. "It probably will be the largest honor I receive in my lifetime in terms of the value that I put on it," said Brewer.

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