PONCA, Neb. -- It was 1897...Native Americans were still fighting for basic human rights.  One Ponca tribe leader, Standing Bear,' took his right to be recognized as a human to court and won. But when it came time to pay his lawyer for his services, he did not have cash. So, he gifted the attorney his tomahawk. 

It ended up in the possession of a Harvard museum. Now, the Ponca Tribe is asking for the tomahawk back.

“Direct descendants … can see this is why we're here today,” Ponca Chairman Larry Wright said of the memorabilia.

Wright said museums are useful for sharing information, but that the tomahawk was given as a gift to pay for something they shouldn't have had to fight for in the first place

“Through all the things the Ponca has been through … it is important those entities understand the importance of items coming home.”

Nebraska State Senator Tom Brewer supports the return and was part of a committee that sent a recommendation to the legislature. 

‘We have gone a long time without understanding native culture,” he said, hoping this will bridge cultural gaps. 

It's not only a step toward understanding, but toward renewal for the Ponca tribe. They lost one-third of the tribe along the trail of tears to Oklahoma, and Wright said they have been trying ever since restoration in 1990 to bring their culture back to life.