Luther Standing Bear (1868-1939) was one of the first Native Americans to be granted an audience with the President of the United States. From 1916 to 1921, he served as an official advisor on Indian affairs to President Woodrow Wilson. He was the Director of the Indian Defense Agency, which fought for American Indians against land theft and exploitation by white settlers. Standing Bear is credited with coining the term "Sioux" (a Sioux word meaning "friend")
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In 1907, he was chosen to speak at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, becoming one of the few Native Americans ever to speak before a world audience. In 1921, he founded Luther Standing Bear College at Fort Yates, North Dakota, serving as its president until his death in 1939.