They drove over 100 miles — from their home just west of Columbus — to be there.
To a construction site in southeast Lincoln on an October afternoon, where the graded earth coughed up dust and the warm sun held promises of autumn at bay.
Where, off in the distance, Levi and Abbey Wright and their children could see the steel shell of Standing Bear High School rise like a tangible symbol of progress, of growth, of educational opportunities, of recognition of Levi and his children's ancestor.
They were there on the site of the high school Thursday, where school officials, local leaders and other descendants of Chief Standing Bear gathered to officially break ground on the site of the new high school, to laud Lincoln's growth and to raise up Native voices.
"It's just amazing," said Levi Wright, a fourth-generation descendant of Chief Standing Bear. "To be here and for this honor — a school — is awesome."
A school is a fitting way to honor the Ponca chief who famously returned to Nebraska from an Oklahoma reservation in the late 1800s to bury his son and challenged the U.S. government in an Omaha courthouse, said Larry Wright, leader of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
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Standing Bear knew that education was the key to a successful life, he said. It's why he wanted his son to attend American schools, to learn American culture, so he could lead the Ponca into the future.
"(Education) is where he saw the future for our people," Larry Wright said.
He believes the story of Standing Bear — and others similar to the plight of the Ponca people — can be incorporated into the school's curriculum in a positive way.
"There is an opportunity to hear about all of us," he said. "Standing Bear died over 100 years ago, but his legacy lives on with our people who are here, with the descendants who are here."
Carrie Voss, who is also a Standing Bear descendant, watched as her sons performed Chief Standing Bear's song on a drum at Thursday's ceremony, tears of joy welling in her eyes.

Larry Wright, Jr., chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, speaks at the groundbreaking for Standing Bear High School on Thursday.
"My heart was soaring," she said. "I know he's looking down on us and seeing this and I know he is happy. That's how we feel, like his spirit is here. I could feel that."
As a member of her tribe's language and culture committee, Voss said she would like coursework on Native languages, for example, to be included in the new school's curriculum.
She, too, recognizes the importance of education to the Native people of Lincoln and Nebraska.
"Education is the key to everything," she said.
Located at the northeast corner of 70th Street and Saltillo Road, Standing Bear High School is one of two smaller high schools opening over the next two years made possible through a $290 million bond issue passed in 2020.
The school will open in 2023, along with an athletic complex including soccer and softball fields to be shared with other LPS schools.
According to early enrollment projections, Standing Bear could open with less than 700 students, but that could change. LPS has an open enrollment policy for high school students, which means they can choose to attend high schools outside their attendance areas.

Steve Joel, superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for Standing Bear High School on Thursday.
Work on the school is full-speed ahead despite some supply chain issues and labor and material shortages, said Director of Operations Scott Wieskamp.
After land was graded this past spring and summer, the building's steel skeleton is starting to take shape. But difficulties in accessing materials — like steel and lumber — have forced the district to be more creative, Wieskamp said, although he does not expect any delays.
LPS Superintendent Steve Joel praised the community's esprit de coeur in rallying behind the school, the legacy it represents, and the needs it meets for a growing city.
"Lincoln is always going to continue to grow," he said, "and we want to be at the front end of that."
Before Levi and Abbey Wright and their children departed westward — after the gold shovels had been tucked away and people milled about a tent — they took something to remember this "special moment."
Pieces of rock from the Standing Bear site.
Souvenirs to remember how their ancestor's legacy lives on.
"We're going to hold onto these forever," Levi Wright said.
Video, photos on the Chief Standing Bear dedication at the U.S. Capitol
Deb Fischer
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (from left), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Steve Laravie Jr. and Judi gaiashkibos applaud the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in 2019. Laravie is a great-great-great-great-grandson of Standing Bear.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts makes remarks following the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall on Wednesday.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of Nebraska's Indian Affairs, and Steve Laravie Jr., a great-great-great-great-grandson of Standing Bear, pose after the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall in 2019. The statue escaped harm in last week's Capitol attack.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

A statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear of Nebraska, after its unveiling in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in 2019.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

A Native color guard attends the unveiling ceremony of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

House Speaker Nancy Pelos recognizes guests, including Ponca Tribal Chairman Larry Wright, Jr. (left) and Steve Laravie Jr. (right), during the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall.
Larry Wright

Wright
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

A statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear of Nebraska, after its unveiling in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol, on Wednesday.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Author Joe Starita (left), who wrote "I Am a Man" and Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of Nebraska's Indian Affairs, pose before the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall in 2019. The statue escaped harm in last week's Capitol attack.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy makes remarks following the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (from left), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Sen. Deb Fischer listen to remarks during an unveiling ceremony of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall in September.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Nebraska Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon pauses as he concludes remarks at an unveiling ceremony of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall. Brewer is seeking to add the flags of four Native tribes to the state in the state's legislative chamber.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Steve Laravie Jr., a great-great-great-great-grandson of Standing Bear, performs during the unveiling ceremony of Ponca Chief Standing Bear's statue in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington in 2019. The statue escaped harm in last week's Capitol attack.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts makes remarks following the unveiling of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall.
CHIEF STANDING BEAR

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (from left), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Sen. Deb Fischer, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Roy Blunt and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi bow their heads at the conclusion of an unveiling ceremony of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall.
Jeff Fortenberry
John McCollister
Don Bacon
Tony Vargas
Rep. Kevin McCarthy
Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack